Blog #2

1.  Link to log of specific hours and a description of your duties.

UCLA Mentorship Log
Overview
Learned:
Python (programming language)
C++ (programming language)
Primordial black holes
VERITAS
Basic calculus
Physics (optics)
Created:
Basic histograms
Code for gamma ray burst vs. time in between burst histogram
Presentation on primordial black holes
Code for gamma ray burst every five sec. histogram

Pomona College Mentorship Log
Overview:
Learned:
Observational astronomy (right ascensions, declination, hour angles, etc.)
Basics of celestial objects (asteroids, stars, pulsars, quasars, etc.)
Created:
Test for JPL advanced optics camera
Images of celestial objects (Vega, Messier objects, etc.)

*I did not realize I had to record a daily overview of my mentorship until now, so I have outlined a very general description.

2. What is the contact name & number of where you volunteered?

Taylor Aune
Postdoc @ UCLA
(310) 825 0344

Alma Zook
Professor @ Pomona College
(909) 621 8723

3. What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience? 

Am I more inclined toward astronomy or astrophysics?

4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

The most important thing I gained from my experience is a deeper understanding of how the world works. One could argue, that even baking provides insight to "how the world works". A few ingredients, like flour and sugar, and a few minutes in the oven can create a delicious cupcake. I learned that in a similar manner, the universe is made up of several elements, primarily the elements at the beginning of the periodic table. From those elements we have extremely diverse types of matter. Humans are made of the same elements as trees, oceans, and stars, just as crepes and brownies share ingredients as well. 

5. What is your senior project topic going to be?  How did what you did help you choose a topic?

I have chosen to do astronomy/physics as my senior topic. It is a combination of all my favorite subjects, math, physics, and art.