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Atsuko Nitta

Atsuko Nitta

I am a research fellow at Subaru Telescope. My research is centered around the studies of the structure and evolution of white dwarf stars. There are three reasons why I study white dwarf stars. (1) They are reliable chronometers and can be used for dating the galaxies, clusters of stars and the universe. (2) Their structure gives us constrain on the stellar evolution. (3) They are excellent cosmic lab to study high energy physics. Most of my research involves observing white dwarf stars that pulsate. The pulsation tells us the interior of the star much like the way seismic waves from the earth quakes teach us about the earth's interior. Before coming to Subaru Telescope a few months ago, I worked for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to create a 3D map of the universe. Mapping is not necessarily a glamorous job, but a basic step in learning about everything about the universe and I enjoyed it very much.


Sponsored by Carl Sagan Center for Earch and Space Science Education, the W. M. Keck Observatory,
the Gemini Observatory, the Subaru Telescope, and the Hawai'i Department of Education, North Hilo/Laupahoehoe/Waiakea Complex.
       
   
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