From MU to the Mountains: Kaden Hunter’s Summer in Solar Physics Research

Millersville University mathematics and physics student Kaden Hunter is spending his summer in Boulder, Colorado, participating in the Boulder Solar Alliance Research Experience for Undergraduates. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the program provides students with hands-on research experience in solar and space physics while collaborating with professional mentors.

Hunter applied for the REU through the National Science Foundation and attributes encouragement to Millersville's physics and math faculty, including Dr. Baoling Ma, Dr. Zenaida Uy, Dr. Natalia Dushkina and Dr. Xin Li.

His research at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics will be conducted with mentor and research associate Dr. Justin Deighan. Their goal is to use data provided by the Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer to predict space weather events on Mars when other instruments are unavailable. The EMUS, according to LASP, is "…designed to detect ultraviolet wavelength and determine the abundance and variability of carbon monoxide and oxygen in the Martian thermosphere."

Described as an avid hiker, Hunter is excited to be spending his summer in Boulder. So far, he feels that the experience is "going very well," describing the first week spent listening to lectures, building cohorts and working on coding assignments/labs. Throughout the REU, he is learning more about solar and planetary physics, a focus that is new to his studies.

"I am very excited and honored to be working at LASP this summer," says Hunter. "I am exploring a research area not available to me at Millersville, which has been incredibly rewarding so far."