Senior Design Project Ideas for Astronomy/Physics

[ncanac]

I was not sure where to put this, but since I am looking for Astronomy related ideas, I thought this would be a good place.

A bit of background. I am an electrical engineering major, and I'll be starting my senior design project this year. My interests outside of engineering are in physics. I am working on the HETDEX project (http://hetdex.org/) at my university, and it allowed me to see how I can apply my expertise in a way that benefits the field which interests me. I am doing engineering work, but it is something that could benefit the greater astronomical community, which makes my work that much more exciting.

If possible, I would like to come up with something similar to this for my senior design project... an engineering project that could be useful for astronomers and physicists. My experience on HETDEX has shown me that there are things out there that haven't been done, that would be useful, and that a group of senior engineering student would be capable of working on. The trouble is figuring out what there is... So I was wondering if anyone had any ideas that sound sort of like what I'm looking to do. I don't necessarily need something specific, but any direction or guidance could lead me to some new ideas!

Thank you.

 

[AndyW]

It's great to hear that you are interested in combining your expertise in engineering with your passion for physics and astronomy. Your work on the HETDEX project is a great example of how different fields can come together to benefit one another. I can understand your desire to find a similar project for your senior design project, and I would be happy to provide some ideas and guidance.

One potential idea could be to develop a new type of telescope or imaging system for astronomical observations. With your background in electrical engineering, you could explore innovative ways to improve the sensitivity, resolution, or data collection capabilities of existing telescopes. This could involve designing new sensors, detectors, or image processing algorithms to enhance the quality of astronomical images. Alternatively, you could also consider developing a new type of telescope that utilizes a different wavelength range, such as infrared or radio, to capture unique observations of the universe.

Another idea could be to design and build a new instrument for studying cosmic phenomena, such as black holes, dark matter, or gravitational waves. This could involve developing new instrumentation, such as spectrometers or interferometers, to measure and analyze these elusive phenomena. You could also consider creating a simulation or modeling tool to help astronomers and physicists better understand these complex systems.

Additionally, you could explore ways to improve the efficiency and sustainability of astronomical facilities. This could involve designing new energy systems, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to power observatories or developing new methods for reducing light pollution in urban areas. You could also consider developing a monitoring system to track and analyze the impact of climate change on astronomical observations.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but I would also recommend reaching out to professors or researchers in your university's astronomy or physics department for additional guidance and potential project ideas. They may have ongoing projects or areas of research that could benefit from an engineering perspective. Good luck with your senior design project, and I hope you find a project that excites and challenges you!