Hello everyone! My name is Jett, and I am from Bainbridge Island in Washington State. I am planning to use my gap year to immerse myself in interests I held throughout high school, which include astronomy/astrophysics research (exoplanet, nebula, and double star research), astrophotography, astro-landscape photography, and night-sky conservation.
I operate my telescope remotely. It is located at a hosting site in the Utah Desert, so I’ll be traveling there during my gap year for some upgrades and maintenance. I’m also planning to study and write about some of the nebula discoveries I have made. Not only will I be collecting new data, but I will spend time processing the hours of data I have collected on various celestial targets and hopefully have the opportunity to participate in some of the international astrophotography competitions.
Over the course of the year I’ll also be working to establish nebula databases that would be available to amateurs/citizen scientists. During high school I had the opportunity to do research both in areas that have a structure and support system for amateurs and in areas that have no such structure or support system. Databases/catalogs would be one avenue to provide structure in areas that are currently without it, and it would give amateurs the opportunity to contribute to the greater scientific body of knowledge.
I plan to visit a number of dark sky sites including some certified by the international organization “Dark Sky.” The organization is on the forefront of light pollution issues and works to conserve dark sky areas around the world in an effort to maintain the public’s connection to the night sky.
My first major trip will be to Tasmania. I will be giving a presentation at the RTSRE Conference and using that as an opportunity to see some of Australia.
I am also hoping to spend the year enjoying outdoor sports, such as skiing and mountain biking.
