All astrophysics majors at MSU are invited to participate in the MSU Observatory Research
Program (MORP), which engages a large number of undergrads in authentic research at
our 24 inch optical telescope facility on campus. You can find a video about MORP here.
MSU Observatory. Image credit: E.Aydi
Undergrads use the telescope to observe transiting exoplanets and binary stars under
the auspices Profs. Laura Chomiuk and Joey Rodriguez, who co-direct the program. In addition, students analyze the data they obtained—and sometimes this work leads
to co-authorship on refereed publications. It can also serve as the basis for an MSU
senior thesis.
The optical brightness of star TOI-4153 as a function of time, showing dimming from
the transit of a planet orbiting the star. Figure from Schulte et al. 2024, a paper in the Astronomical Journal featuring five MORP undergraduates..
Students also get involved with public outreach by volunteering at public nights at
the MSU Observatory, showing our telescopes and the wonders of the night sky to diverse
members of the public.
A public night at MSU Observatory, enjoying looking at the sky through our 24 inch
telescope. Image credit: E. Aydi
Who is eligible for MORP?Anyone who has passed AST 208 ("Planets and Telescopes"; typically taken during spring
of the second year at MSU), and who is willing to commit to observing, data analysis,
and public outreach as described below. We believe undergrad research is a great way
to develop an identity as a scientist and get the most of your time at MSU, and we
want it to be open to all astro majors! Join us!
Will my work with MORP be paid? Once students complete three nights of training, they can get paid an hourly rate
for their time observing and analyzing data.
What am I committing to, in signing up for MORP?You'll be given a night of the week (e.g., Monday), and you are expected to observe
every time that night is clear. You will be expected to stay up all night observing
with 1–2 other MORP students, and while observing, you should plan to reduce and analyze
the data you are obtaining. You are also expected to come to and participate in every-other-week
meetings unless you have a class conflict. You are expected to volunteer at at least
one MSU Observatory public outreach event each semester you are in MORP (i.e., three
events per year).
What are the benefits of MORP? MORP is a great way to test the research waters and see if you like the process of
research; MORP can lead to more in-depth research explorations—with Profs. Rodriguez,
Chomiuk, or elsewhere. MORP also exposes you to education and public outreach, so
you can start assessing if a career in these fields is for you. MORP allows you to
build connections with other astrophysicists: professors, postdocs, grad students,
and your fellow undergrads. While you are at MSU, you should take advantage of the
benefits of being at a world-class research university, and MORP is a great way to
do that!
Graduating MORPers with Profs Joey Rodriguez (left) and Laura Chomiuk (second from
right). Image credit: E. Aydi (also pictured, rightmost).
What if I haven't taken AST 208 yet, but want to get started now? You can get to know us and the Observatory by volunteering at our public nights (no
experience necessary, you can learn by shadowing others)! Email Prof. Chomiuk to get on her mailing list for public nights.
Here is a NASA ADS library of peer-reviewed papers, telegrams, and other publications that use data from the
MSU Observatory, including those with MSU undergraduates as authors published as part
of MORP.
