Ph.D. here I come!

Saiph · Feb 25, 2005

I figure you guys might get a kick out of this: I've been accepted to at least 1 graduate school (so far), Iowa State, for an astronomy Ph.D. program. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

yevaud · Feb 25, 2005

A damned good school. I once thought about going to their graduate Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics program. Good Football team, too. Congratulations! You must've done well on your GRE's! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

Saiph · Feb 25, 2005

Actually I hit average (within the spread), technically on the "low" side for an american public university student. However, I've got 3 swell letters of recommendation, and more experience than you can shake a stick at. 2 sticks, and you might do it. Actually I've got a good grounding, some practical experience, and 2 papers that are on their way to full publication (I'm a main co-author on both). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

yevaud · Feb 25, 2005

Magnificent. Umm, what kind of projects, if you don't mind me asking? I worked on a satellite project and worked in our observatory for 2 years. Kind of curious. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

Saiph · Feb 25, 2005

The first one I did out of my regular university (UNL). here's the abstract (about all I have around) from the ADS website (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html) which is a great place to nab articles... Hmm..you may need a subscription to use it (I usually access from the astronomy dept. so it's never come up). Here's the abstract though: <hr />PDS 456 and PHL 1811 are two of the highest luminosity low-redshift quasars. Both have optical luminosities comparable to 3C 273, but they have low radio luminosities. PDS 456 is a broad line object but PHL 1811 could be classified as a high-luminosity Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) object. We present the results of optical (V-band) continuum monitoring of PDS 456 and PHL 1811. We compare the variability properties of these two very different AGNs compared with the radio-loud AGN 3C 273, and we discuss the implications for the origin of the optical continuum variability in AGNs.<hr /> Basically we monitored the two AGN's for variabiltiy using differential photometry (relative changes in brightness) compared to various "check stars" which don't vary. The conventional models predict that radio-quiet quasars (AGN's) don't vary as much as radio loud (IIRC), there is also a broadline vs narrow-line comparison as well (broadlines vary more...i think, it's been 2 years). However, these two particular AGN's varied as much, if not more, than the very well studied standard galaxy (3c 273). Which is just what they aren't supposed to do. I.e. we found the exception to the rule, and may very well be sending a lot of theoreticians back to the drawing board, as our data suggests the mechanism is the same in all cases. However, I don't think the case is as strong as my supervisor (it's still a good case, but it needs more work, which should be finished this sem <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Saiph · Feb 25, 2005

My favorite wasn't a research project though. It was a sweet color composit picture of the trifid nebulae I took using the Hilo 24" scope atop mauna kea (I've never, ever been so cold in july!) for an observation course I took there. The first paper is in AAS meeting notes, and is being worked on for publication. The Second is still in the press for the IAPPP (still haven't figured out that acronymn). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

yevaud · Feb 25, 2005

Oh my good God, you've been to the KECK?! I am so utterly freaking jealous, I'm turning red! I was offered to go to Arecibo with my advisor, but couldn't. Had to pay my own way, then be reimbursed, and money was tight at the time. *blah* But I worked, as I said, at our (BU) observatory. We did a thing called (predictably) "Public Night." As I was focussing on on Planetary development of Atmospheres, I became the "Planet and Moon guy." Loved it. I was there during Shoemaker-Levy. Weather was crappy, but on at least one night, we got some great images - there was just something about seeing that orange glow as it came around the limb of Jupiter. Awesome! I also worked on the TERRIERS (Umm, "Tomographic Experiment in Radiative Recombinant ExpeRiment [don't remember what the 'ER' stood for.]) satellite project (still accessable at the Center for Space Physics website at BU - though they no longer mention most of us who worked on it). I built all of the Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Loved it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

alpha_taur1 · Feb 25, 2005

Congratulations !

Saiph · Feb 25, 2005

actually, I didn't get to visit the keck. I saw it though, over on another section of the summit. I did get to visit the 80" equatorial, the gemini, and the nasa infrared scope. The 24" is the first scope up there, the nearest restroom and warmroom (unfortunately not the same thing!!) is 100 yards away up slope, in the dark. I love public nights, I've been volunteering at most of the university ones, and at a public observatory in lincoln for nearly 5 years now (actually tied for volunteer of the year once). I love giving mini lectures and/or full lectures to the audience and the local astronomy club. Here's a link to some pictures taken by the instructor of the Gemini Visit: http://hubble.uhh.hawaii.edu/images/Astr398_2003/ and Here's a picture of me (and others) by the gemini scope: <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

yevaud · Feb 25, 2005

Ah. So close, but so far... As I said, they don't list all of us Undergrads of the time. Guess they cleaned up the site back when. Anyways, here's TERRIERS: http://www.bu.edu/satellite/ And our observatory http://www.bu.edu/astronomy/facilities/observatory/observatory.html (on the roof of a 5-story building on the outskirts of Boston). That's Cambridge, Mass. just across the river in some of the pictures. And I live about 1/2 a mile down the road from there. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

Saiph · Feb 25, 2005

neat program! It must have been quite an experience. How exactly did it work? What'd you guys find out? I'm not going to complain about missing out on keck though, I spent a total of 9 nights on the summit, and an additional 7 nights at the base camp (hale pahaku) volunteering for the gift shop to do public nights (I got free food and good skies!) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

yevaud · Feb 25, 2005

Sorry...got busy with something. Actually - biggest goof of all - there were delays...and delays...and more delays. They finally launched thing in '99, I think. It got inserted immediately into the wrong orbital. So, end of project. In fact, the really ironic thing of all is that there's 1 and only 1 thing remaining kicking around from the project - the Ground Support Equipment I built. Heh. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

Saiph · Feb 25, 2005

just means you do good work. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

yevaud · Feb 25, 2005

The intent of the project was originally based on one of our Grad student's idead. He had been - ironically - an Undergrad in the Biomedical program. But he did some work for the Dept., got intrigued, decided on an Astronomy PhD. What TERRIERS was supposed to do was image the ionosphere for various gasseous species - in what proportions, etc. The trick was that this guy, Josh, was going to use MRI algorithms to do it. Pretty nifty. It's actually obtain multiple look angles from about 200 miles up. Ah. I just remembered what the 'ER' at the end of TERRIERS meant - "Exosphere Ranger Satellite." The Exosphere: the "Ignore-o-sphere," we called it! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

Saiph · Feb 25, 2005

<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> I can also see you fell victim to the APA (astronomical penchant for acronyms) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

the_masked_squiggy · Feb 28, 2005

Not to mention the 5 apps you still have out at 2 weeks until deadline. And we all know that rejection letters are generally sent out early, acceptence letters later, thanks to Mr. Bureaucracy.

Astrosag · Mar 4, 2005

Congrats! Where else did you apply and what are your top choices?

Saiph · Mar 5, 2005

In order of general preference: Ohio State Univ. Wisconsin - Madison Univ of Calif. - Irvine Univ. of Illinois - urbana Iowa State Ohio University Kansas State. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Astrosag · Mar 5, 2005

Nice...best of luck! What school are you from?

silylene old · Mar 5, 2005

Univ. Wisconsin - Madison That's where I received my PhD. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center">I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function. </div> </div>

Saiph · Mar 5, 2005

astro: thanks, I'm from Univ. Nebraska. Silyene: Cool <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

qzzq · Mar 6, 2005

Good luck Ricimer/Saiph! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Just don't get all smug and stop posting here! Not that you ever would ( or could! ). Your input is very much appreciated BTW. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> *** </div>

Saiph · Mar 7, 2005

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />you ever would ( or could! ). <hr /></blockquote> That, is about the size of it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Saiph · Apr 17, 2005

Update: Finally accepted to a graduate school. I shall persue my Ph.D. in Astrophysics at the University of California in Irvine. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Apr 17, 2005

Congratulations! Outstanding! Great news! I am very, very happy for you! Since I can't celebrate the good news with you, I've gone ahead and taken the liberty of sending you a beer. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

Ph.D. here I come!

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