SAO/NSF Solar REU Program

The SAO/NSF Solar REU Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in solar physics, focusing on a variety of topics related to the Sun and its impact on the solar system. Participants are mentored by scientists from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, which is part of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. The research projects typically involve observational data analysis, numerical simulations, and theoretical modeling related to solar phenomena such as solar flares, sunspots, solar wind, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Students in the program work on individual research projects, learning how to use data from world-class solar observatories such as the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and ground-based telescopes. They also gain experience in scientific computing, data analysis, and solar physics research methodologies.

In addition to research, the program includes seminars, workshops, and professional development activities, including career talks and guidance on graduate school applications. At the end of the program, students present their research findings to their peers and mentors in a research symposium.