NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellows

Gravity plays a fundamental role in the universe at all scales, and we understand it in the weak-field limit (flat and weakly-curved spacetime). However, strong-field gravity is far more difficult to examine, since it is not replicable within our solar system. The best laboratory for strong-field gravity is the inner 100s of miles around compact objects in low-mass X-ray binaries. The X-rays originate from material in curved spacetime near the compact object, so they directly reveal the physical processes taking place in these extreme environments. These X-rays vary rapidly, notably in quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), which may be produced by general relativistic effects. As an NSF AAPF, I will use combined spectroscopy and timing analysis of different types of X-ray variability to ascertain the effects of the black hole event horizon, neutron star surface, and neutron star magnetosphere on the behavior of matter in these extreme astrophysical environments.

I will establish a 5th to 8th grade science enrichment program in the Lansing Public School District. In this program, I will lead an activity-based interactive astronomy lesson with the students, with the combined support of the outreach facilities at my host institutions (MSU and UMich). By going to the schools myself, I will provide access to astronomy enrichment for classrooms that would otherwise lack the resources to participate. The Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University will partner with me to develop the curiosity-driven interactive lessons and help connect me to Lansing middle school science teachers. I will also recruit and train other astronomers to continue this outreach program so that it will have longevity beyond the scope of my fellowship.