Exploring Star Formation with Science-Ready ALMA Data: Molecular Line Identification of Outflows, Protoplanetary Disks, and Accretion Streamers

Project Description

This summer research project offers undergraduate students an opportunity to work with real observational data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), which has accumulated an enormous archive of high-quality observations that represents a true scientific treasure for discovery. Students will analyze calibrated spectral-line data cubes to identify common molecular transitions—such as CO, 13CO, C18O, and SiO—around protostars, extracting spectra and producing integrated intensity and channel maps to investigate gas kinematics and physical conditions. The results will help identify and characterize key structures associated with star formation, including molecular outflows, protoplanetary disks, and accretion streamers. In addition to molecular line identification, the project can incorporate statistical components, such as comparing line detection rates, measuring line ratios, or characterizing velocity distributions across a small sample of sources. Through hands-on experience with professional tools (CASA and/or Python-based analysis), students will gain practical training in radio interferometric data analysis and develop quantitative skills valuable for future research in astrophysics.