Blog #23

Final Lesson Reflection

What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

I am most proud about how I effectively spoke about the complex topic of primordial black holes. One of the concerns that my advisors had was not thoroughly explaining a lot of the concepts revolving my answers and questions. My research adviser tried to convince me to reduce the amount of content I had in my presentation. However, I didn't and I am glad I didn't. A majority of the feedback that I received after the presentation were comments about my ability to convey the concepts in a relatable manner. The audience genuinely enjoyed gaining insight on the topic.

What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation (self-assessment)?
AE

What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)?
P

What worked for you in your senior project?
My mentorship was the best aspect was the opportunity to work in a lab and research. This summer was the most challenging and enjoyable experience ever. Over the course of about two months I lived near UCLA with a few friends. I would spend the mornings at UCLA learning how to code, experimenting with software and operating systems, researching astrophysical concepts, and visiting in the lab. I had was learning everything from scratch, and it was incredibly rewarding. Of course, it was also very frustrating but that made new concepts and skills more valuable.

If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?

During the second semester, I lost speed a little bit. I wish that I focused on maintaining my discipline. 

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors? Be specific and use examples.

During the middle of my senior project, I began to consider other career opportunities. I was specifically inclined to data analysis in the field of Economics. However, as my senior project went on I realized that astrophysics is for me. I don't if I would stick with astrophysics if it wasn't my senior project topic. I also built a lot of connections within the field.

Blog #22

Mentorship

What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
The most important thing I have gained in this experience is an insight on technology. Astrophysics is rapidly incorporating technology to advance observational and data analysis methods. Technology in the form of new software run by codes and hardware that help us see particles at a new level and help us look into space. It is essential for an astrophysicist to be aware of the newest developments in computers and keep up with programming skills to be efficient to a research project.  
How has what you’ve done helped you to answer your EQ?  Please explain.
For most of my mentorship during the year, I worked with a book called, "Into to C++ Programming." C++ is the primary language which run most telescopes. It is also very similar to Python, another program used to run telescopes. The book includes information about how the hardware and software communicate in favor of the user. Every one of my answers has to do with telescopes: optical, radio, and gamma ray. Having insight on the telescopes, both in terms of operation and structure, was an essential in understanding the methodology of different astrophysicists in finding primordial black holes. 

Blog #21

Exit Interview

What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?

My essential question is, "What is the most effective way to identify a primordial black hole?"  My first answer is, "...to use gamma ray telescopes to detect their Hawking radiation." My second answer is, "...to use radio astronomy to detect the acoustic waves due to thermal expansion from their radiation." My final answer is, "...to use optical astronomy to detect a gravitational lensing effect due to their passing in front of a light source."

The best answer is my first. This is because the most research has been conducted on this method, resulting in a sound reference. Every method requires a reference. My second answer would require astrophysicists to reference a certain pattern which the acoustic waves would follow. For my third answer, a specific pattern would need to be referenced to identify the gravitational lensing effect of a primordial black hole. The data which is referenced for the first method has been verified by a multitude of scientists. 

Also, the first method id already in process. There are already research teams pursuing the search for primordial black holes. The last two answers are purely hypothetical.  

What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

My first answer was always my best answer. For my mentorship, I did research on the first method, so I am well versed in that method. However, though independent research I came to find my other two answers.

What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

The second and third answer came from extensive, and gruesome, research on my own. There is very little research on my last two answers. I pieced together concepts such as thermal expansion, radio telescopes, optical telescopes, relativity, classical and contemporary theories, and much more to look at the search for primordial black holes in a new light. Thankfully, there were clues that lead me from article to article, until I finally found solid answers. For example, by learning about the radiation that primordial black holes emit, I knew that radiation should create some noise. So further researching about noise from astronomical objects, I learned a lot about radio astronomy. That process repeated itself up until this point.
Through that process I learned two important skills astrophysicists need: problem solving and creativity. Astrophysics is a vast field. It is rare to find two astrophysicists with the same objective of research. There are a few theories and concepts, and those theories and concepts have tens of problems, and for this problems there are a limitless amount of possibilities.

What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

Most of my information came from the journal article, "Gamma rays and energetic particles from primordial black holes." This article speaks a lot about the behavior of primordial black holes, how they came about to be, and how they evaporate. My next best source is "A Brief History of Time." In this book, Stephen Hawking, the author, explains a lot the theories surrounding primordial black holes. My version of the book is also illustrated with diagrams and graphs which helped my develop the foundation on which I could further study complex astrophysical concepts. 

The Most Important Question of Your Life

“Our culture would tell me that I’ve somehow failed myself, that I’m a quitter or a loser. Self-help would say that I either wasn’t courageous enough, determined enough or I didn’t believe in myself enough. The entrepreneurial/start up crowd would tell me that I chickened out on my dream and gave in to my conventional social conditioning. I’d be told to do affirmations or join a mastermind group or manifest or something.

But the truth is far less interesting than that: I thought I wanted something, but it turns out I didn’t. End of story.

I wanted the reward and not the struggle. I wanted the result and not the process. I was in love not with the fight but only the victory. And life doesn’t work that way.

Who you are is defined by the values you are willing to struggle for. People who enjoy the struggles of a gym are the ones who get in good shape. People who enjoy long workweeks and the politics of the corporate ladder are the ones who move up it. People who enjoy the stresses and uncertainty of the starving artist lifestyle are ultimately the ones who live it and make it.”

I have been rethinking my pursuit of astrophysicists for the past few months. This article summarizes what I have been thinking: Am I willing to struggle for it? 

The answer is no. I am content with studying and teaching it. I am not willing to struggle to be the best. I am not willing to sacrifice my love of creating art, time with friends and family, and passion to drive social change for it. 

That's okay.

http://markmanson.net/question#PbCkGU:VNe

Blog #19

Independent Component 2 

I, student name, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 34 hours of work.

Hussain Zaidi
Professor, Cal Poly Poly Pomona
Chief Technology Officer, Alba Spectrum 

I completed the course CS 128, Introduction to C++ at Cal Poly Pomona.    

I was not officially enrolled in the course, but the Professor Zaidi was nice enough to let me sit in on the classes and add me to the Blackboard account so I could take the quizzes, midterm, and final. I have attached the links for my assignments, and some of the slides we went through in class.

This class helped me answer my EQ because it gave me insight on how telescopes operate. Each one of my answers involves a type of telescope: standard, radio, and gamma ray. These telescopes are run by software that are controlled by C++ commands. 
C++ is also helpful when organizing the massive amounts of data that come from these telescopes. Programs like IRAF and ROOT are also run by C++ commands. Effectively using the language means better histograms and more intricate manipulations of the data.

Assignments:

First Pt. 1

First Pt. 2

Second Pt. 1

Second Pt. 2

Third Pt. 1

Third Pt. 2

Fourth

Fifth

Sixth

The software which our class utilized to create, debug, and run our codes (featuring my commentary on a particularly long day):

Slides:

The Hubble Space Telescope 25th Anniversary

The Hubble Space Telescope launched in April 1990. Hubble lies directly above the atmosphere. This is essential for observational astronomy because our atmosphere distorts our view of space. Hubble has shown us possible black holes, new galaxies, and the spot on Jupiter. 25 years later, it is still pushing the forefronts of astronomy.

NASA is holding a series of events and has launched a website in honor of Hubble: http://hubble25th.org/

Blog #18

Fourth Interview Preparation

1) How sure are you that black holes exist?

2) What are some theories for how black holes came about to be?

3) Please explain the differences between the types of black holes?

4) Can you explain why some black holes have a charge?

5) What are the differences between a regular black hole and a primordial black hole? 

6) About how many black holes have been detected, or possibly detected?

7) How were these black holes detected?

8) How effective is gamma ray astronomy? Is there room for error?

9) What objects can be detected by gamma ray astronomy? 

10) What is the difference between cosmic rays and gamma rays?

12) What exactly is Cerenkov light? 

13) Do human created noises ever interfere with radio telescopes?

14) What sort of objects can be detected by radio telescopes?

15) What are the units for noise?

16) How does one identify a spacetime warp in front of an astronomical object?

17) How can scientists distinguish between primordial black holes and other objects that can warp spacetime? 

18) Which method is most effective in identifying a primordial black hole? 

19) Does the pursuit of primordial need to be altered? Or ended?

20) What would Einstein do?