Advisor: Rachael Filwett
This REU project will focus on working with data from Solar Orbiter (SolO), specifically data from the Energetic Particle Detector (EPD), measuring particles in the keV to MeV energy range. SolO launched in 2020 and is in an elliptical orbit around the sun, slowly leaving the equatorial plane. Using EPD data, the student will examine variations in heavy ion abundance in a range of energetic particle events. Different types of solar energetic particle events (SEPs) exhibit varying heavy ion ratios, with solar flares having high Iron/Oxygen and Helium-3/Helium-4 ratios, as an example. By measuring the time-dependent heavy ion ratios, we can identify atypical events (with heavy ion ratios outside the average) and understand abundance evolution as a function of transport (meaning do all heavy ions get affected by transport-related mechanisms in the same way).
A student working in this area will learn data analysis techniques and methods, learn about properties of SEPs, and properties of the active sun. The student selected for this project will have the opportunity to work in an active research group, and may be mentored by both the advisor and graduate students. A strong applicant for this project has some coding experience (Python or IDL preferred but others OK), and has taken at least one semester of electrodynamics.