{"id":140281,"date":"2021-04-27T15:03:42","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T01:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=140281"},"modified":"2021-04-28T08:08:42","modified_gmt":"2021-04-28T18:08:42","slug":"kalani-senior-astronomy-proposal-shines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2021\/04\/27\/kalani-senior-astronomy-proposal-shines\/","title":{"rendered":"Kalani senior\u2019s astronomy research proposal shines"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Ashley Kaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The phrase, “out-of-this-world” has taken on a whole new meaning for Ashley Kaya. The Kalani High School senior is interested in searching for signs of an Earth-like planet within Perseus, a constellation that looks like a hunter in the northern sky.<\/p>\n

Guided by mentors at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Institute for Astronomy<\/a> (IfA<\/abbr>), Kaya\u2019s ambitious proposal captured the attention of Maunakea Scholars<\/a>, an innovative program designed to award local students observing time on world-class telescopes. The Oʻahu<\/span> native now has the opportunity to use the Las Cumbres Observatory<\/a>, which has facilities on Haleakal\u0101 and around the world, to conduct astronomical research for her project, “Determining the Habitable Zone of Algol.” That zone lies within the region of Perseus\u2019 brightest star.<\/p>\n

“Although my future career path isn\u2019t necessarily catered towards astronomy, I am very interested in learning about different STEM<\/abbr> subjects,” Kaya said. “I\u2019m really fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in the program and receive telescope time, and I am excited to see where my project will lead.”<\/p>\n

A committee of professional astronomers awarded Kaya\u2019s habitable zone project top honors out of five student proposals from Kalani High School Fellow students Kyla Lee and Jing Zheng received honorable mentions. Mentors from IfA<\/abbr> work alongside local high school students to help analyze data and prepare professional-style research proposals.<\/p>\n