Sean is a support astronomer working with data collected from the Dunn Solar Telescope at Sunspot. A recent graduate of New Mexico State University’s doctoral program in astronomy, Sean has been hard at work analyzing data to publish as well as converting some of his analyses into research articles.

 

During his undergraduate career at Vassar College, Sean used spectroscopy to study carbon monoxide in protoplanetary disks. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and astronomy in 2016 before moving to Las Cruces, where he began to focus on solar astrophysics, working closely with data collected from DST.

 

While Sean’s post-doctoral work heavily involves writing code (as he converts collected data into useable data for scientists), website design for a growing archive of collected data from DST, and analyzing data for scientific publications, he still makes time to enjoy his interests. He enjoys a good game of Dungeons & Dragons and plays several instruments—including the mandolin, trumpet, banjo, and guitar. Sean has also recently picked up film photography, a hobby he admits is rather costly but very rewarding!

 

Having worked with Sunspot Solar Observatory for several years as a graduate student, Sean recognizes its importance in his and other astronomers’ careers, saying, “It takes the program to the next level. Having a telescope that you can access relatively easy does not make or break a graduate program, but it does give the students a variety of options. You’re less frozen into handful of things. Plus, having access gives you an understanding of observational astronomy… Nothing else gives you the experience of knowing how you get this data other than being at a telescope.”