General Information
The Wyoming Infrared Observatory (WIRO) is proud to offer its Summer Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program (SURAP) to undergraduates throughout the nation. SURAP is part of the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates program. Participants are chosen from a wide variety of academic institutions and geographical areas.

SURAP students work closely with their advisor. Students are chosen by the WIRO staff to work on specific projects that their advisors feel are compatible with the abilities and interests of the undergraduate. The projects are designed to be completed in the summer. Some of the SURAP projects over the past two years have been in the areas of observational cosmology, galactic structure, studies of star formation regions, cataclysmic variables, Io volcanism, and infrared instrumentation. Numerous summer projects have led to published papers with joint authorship by the advisor and SURAP student. All undergraduates will assist their advisors on the telescope during the summer.

An aerial view of WIRO on Jelm Mountain. WIRO's 2.3 m reflector telescope is completely computer controlled, located on the 9656 ft. Jelm Mountain nearly 40 km southwest of Laramie. SURAP students should anticipate spending 4 or more nights at the telescope. Since many students may not have the proper background in astrophysics, a seminar/laboratory course accompanies the summer project to assist the student with their research. All students will learn observing techniques on the Red Buttes Observatory reflector (60 cm) located 12 miles from campus. SURAP students will be trained in image processing and data reduction using standard astronomical programs, such as IRAF and IDL, in our data analysis laboratories.

In addition to the specific student projects, numerous field trips to other scientific centers in Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain region are available to the participants to introduce t hem to this unique environment. Every student will enjoy a 5 day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in July. Jupiter in the Near IR from WIRO

Red Buttes Observatory

Laramie, Wyoming (elevation 7,200 feet and home of the University of Wyoming) is a city of 30,000 located in the southeastern part of Wyoming, approximately 125 miles northwest of Denver, CO. Summer in Laramie is quite pleasant since the weather is normally sunny, the humidity low, and the university abounds in numerous activities. Laramie and the University of Wyoming offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational facilities, cultural activities, and wilderness experiences. Concerts and theatrical productions are held weekly during the summer school session. The city of Laramie has weekly concerts and numerous intramural programs athletic facilities are available at the university and in the city.

Laramie is an excellent place to enjoy running, jogging, and biking. During the summer months, western rodeos and county and city festivals are available as diversions. Hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountaineering, and backpacking are easily accessible from Laramie. Thirty miles west of Laramie, the Medicine Bow Range and the Snowy Range offer magnificent views, hikes, climbs, and camping facilities. One of the nation's premier rock climbing areas is in the Vedauwoo area in the Laramie Range, ten miles east of Laramie. Rocky Mountain National Park is approximately 80 miles due south of Laramie; the Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore National Parks, and the Devils Tower National Monument are within a day's drive. The most desirable wilderness area in the Rockies, the Wind River Wilderness area, is within a five-hour drive from Laramie.

Former SURAP Students webpages:

2007 SURAP Participants

2006 SURAP Participants

2005 SURAP Participants

2004 SURAP Participants

2003 SURAP Participants

2002 SURAP Participants

2001 SURAP Participants

2000 SURAP Participants

Astrophysics Faculty, Post-doctoral Associates and their Research Interests:

Mike Brotherton ( Ph.D., University of Texas, 1996): Multi-wavelength observations of quasars and active galaxies, and issues of quasar/galaxy mutual evolution.	Bob Berrington (Ph.D. University of Indiana, 2000): Observational and Theoretical studies for Subclustering in Galaxy Clusters, the Formation of cD Galaxies.
Ron Canterna (Ph.D. University of Washington, 1976): Gamma Ray Burst, star clusters, galactic structure. Image processing,and cataclysmic variables,	Daniel Dale (Ph. D. Cornell University 1998) Infrared Properties of Galaxies; Peculiar Motions of Clusters of Galaxies
Rajib Ganguly (Ph.D. Penn State University, 2002): Quasars, AGN's, Galaxy cluster Dynamics, and Interstellar Medium.	Robert R. Howell (Ph.D. University of Arizona, 1980): Volcanic activity on Io, high angular resolution observations, speckle interferometry, formation of planetary systems, planetary science
Mike Pierce ( Ph. D. University of Hawaii, 1986): Director of WIRO, Galaxies, Observational cosmology, optical and infrared instrumentation.	Chip Kobulnicky (Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1997): Ground and space-based studies of dynamics chemical abundances in galaxies; radio, optical, and infrared spectroscopy; young star clusters; massive star formation; astronomical instrumentation.
Zhaohui Shang ( Ph.D. University of Texas 2003): Multi-wavelength Studies of Quasars, Active Galactic Nuclei, and Black Holes

If further information is needed please contact the Director, Ron Canterna (307-766-2005 or by email canterna@uwyo.edu ) or by mail at the following address:

Ron Canterna, SURAP Director
Summer Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program
WYOMING INFRARED OBSERVATORY, University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Department 3905
Laramie, WY 82071-3905

Persons seeking admission, employment or access to programs of the University of Wyoming shall be considered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political belief, handicap or veteran status.
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Last Updated:10/10/07