My Undergrad Thesis: Comet 62P/Tsuchinshan 1
Table of Contents
Project Outline
As part of my undergraduate degree, I completed a final project on a topic of my choosing. This involved:
- The preparation of a detailed literature review that addresses a question in modern astronomy.
- A data analysis review outlining the methods required to convert raw data into science results.
- An observing proposal detailing precisely the targets of study along with the total observing time required.
- 5 nights of practical observations at the Calar Alto Observatory in Almeria, Spain, using their 1.23m telescope.
- An in depth analysis and interpretation of the data acquired.
- The writing of a research journal styled paper and an oral presentation of this paper.
My final paper was entitled: “Comet 62P/Tsuchinshan 1: A photometric investigation of an evolving dust production rate and other cometary properties at small heliocentric distances post-perihelion”. While a rather specific project, it took a considerable amount of time to determine what exactly I wanted to investigate. The extensive research involved in reviewing the current literature and discovering current areas of research and methods led me towards dust emission of comets. This led me to more science questions relating to dust colour, dust composition, and comet radius.
Awards
My paper and project was proposed by the assessors to represent the University College Dublin School of Physics for the Institute of Physics (IoP) Earnshaw medal (https://www.iop.org/about/awards/iop-ireland-awards/earnshaw-award).
Final Paper
My final paper can be read in full below. If you wish to know any further details, please do not hesitate to contact me. This has been written in full by myself alone, prior to external review. I received an A+ grade on this paper.