Page 13 - Laker Connection Fall 2015

Black Holes and More Boroson Brings the World of Outer Worlds to Students
BY SIERA BLASCO
Dr. Bram Boroson, assistant professor of physics at Clayton State, conducts hands-on research with students of all ma- jors to yield scientific understanding.
His current research includes working with business major Katy Bell since spring 2015. Together they are observing the Cygnus X-1 black hole system, a system serendipi- tously named for the genus of the swan, a frequent flyer on Clayton State’s campus. However, it is not the name which intrigued Boroson, but the irregularities in the black hole that Boroson had witnessed once before and hopes to de- velop a method to predict again. Boroson and Bell are using data from an x-ray telescope in orbit and studying how Cygnus X-1 changes its x-ray spectrum over weeks and months. They intend to create a better simulation that will predict the gas flow around the black hole.
“I offer a list of research projects on my website, but at times students will come up with ideas or as we start one idea, it will change into another,” Boroson says.
He has also worked with students Diana King and Christo- pher Larry, on creating a computer method that would clas- sify Galaxy Zoo images. Galaxy Zoo is a website which presents images from a variety of telescopes and allows the general public to help categorize images that are difficult for current programs to differentiate. Boroson took an algo- rithm to predict hospital records (and received 39th place against a thousand teams), and applied and adapted it for this project with the help of his students. The result was making the top 25 percent for the Galaxy Zoo project, even with limited technological resources.
Boroson, a former student assistant himself, enjoys the new perspectives that students bring. While he says that the core of science is taking theories and comparing them with ob- servations, students who may not be as familiar with typical outlooks of science can offer fresh viewpoints.
“I enjoy seeing my students’ confidence grow, especially when my colleagues rely on them,” Boroson says. “It can
be intimidating. But once past the intimidation, taking it step by step, it can be done.”
Boroson happily awaits Clayton State’s new science build- ing, not only for his office window, but to be a part of a greater meeting place for higher educational developments. Although the study subject of different fields varies, under- standing data crosses into all areas of science, he says. Boroson has also worked with a lot of non-science majors, as many found the hands-on research and evaluations of data confidence building and intellectually stimulating.
Boroson collaborates with other scientists to offer alterna- tive perspectives and methods of learning to his classes. This year he began his Skype interviews, in which the whole class would engage in a discussion with an expert through an online video interview.
Boroson believes it is important for students to understand that science is a growing and changing entity, that there will always be new ideas that go through different phases before accepted or rejected.
Aside from late night telescope educational escapades, Boroson also found a way to show students the stars with- out the need of an observatory. Stephen Ramsden, a former Clayton State student, visits the campus every semester to observe the sun with students through his non-profit Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project. Students learn about the nuclear fusion of stars and view the sun in two different wavelengths.
Boroson does his best to bring the world of outer worlds to Clayton State University through unique learning to keep his students engaged and intrigued. Through collaboration with students, fellow scientists, and the community, Clay- ton State students are given an “out of this world” experi- ence to leave loving lore and starry eyed.
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