Justin, this sounds so interesting! I'm glad you've able to find something you're passionate in -- I feel as though passion makes the work a lot more fun. It's impressive how you took the uncertainties in your research phase and turned it into fuel to reevaluate your path of research. I am excited to see where this project ends up!

In regards to any issues I've been facing with my project (telescope), it's mainly technical issues and the weather. I've been having a few problems with the software and telescope communication, though both work fine independently. Along with that, determining what extra equipment we may need and how to tune each piece to work harmoniously with one another is another problem I'm having. However, to truly test all the equipment, it has to be on a clear, dark night -- it's been the opposite this past week. In this upcoming week, I'll hopefully be able to work one or two nights and make sure everything is working smoothly. 

A research resource I've found really useful are online forums of experienced astrophotographers who have been working in the field and testing out hundreds of different combinations of equipment. I've been using these to sort out which equipment works best/is the most efficient route of astroimaging while not being too dependent on field knowledge. 

Your research is so important in today's world, I'm excited to see what you unearth in the conversation of abortion, bodily autonomy, and women's rights as a whole! And if you end up writing a paper, I'd love to read it

• While all Laidlaw Scholars will be presenting their research at the Columbia Undergraduate Research Symposium in the fall, what are the more immediate expectations that you have for your research? Are you writing a paper? Will your research be part of a larger scientific study? Do you hope to produce an annotated bibliography that you reflect on down the line? Is your research now the first phase of a project you’ll continue to work on throughout the year, and/or next summer? Now that we are nearing the one month mark of the program, please write about your expectations for your research.

Some immediate expectations I have for my research are getting any travel plans set in stone & fully calibrating the telescope/fixing any bugs in the software. However, this is only seen as the first of two summers, the second of which my research group will travel to the South Pacific and take on-site radiation measurements. Here, I'll be able to capture celestial objects from the equator! At the end, I hope to produce a paper potentially accompanied by video documentaries from both summers. 

• Why does your research matter? Explain the significance of the question you are investigating, and why you are interested in it.

My research matters because the data we're collecting next summer affects real populations. The question we're investigating is whether or not the radiation levels in food on Kiritimati Island (where nuclear testing was done post WW2) are higher than the regulated levels set by the International Commission (100 mrem/year). If there is, we'll be able to take action and potentially help future generations!

• What are some of the ethical issues that you are grappling with in your research? What are some of the ways in which you are responding to these questions?
  At this stage and with my current research focus (astrophotography), I don't think there are any ethical issues. The main ethics debate surrounding astrophotography relates to copyright issues; however, all contributing parties will be credited once any photos are published. 
  
  
• As you continue your research, have you considered alternative viewpoints in your investigation? If so, how have these alternative viewpoints enriched or changed your project?
  Multiple times! I've considered a range of different softwares and cameras in my investigation for the best end-product. Looking at these viewpoints definitely gave me a broader sense of the field and the time/expertise it has taken to produce a good image. Through this, I gave myself a more tangible goal using skills I already had to further my investigation and set a more realistic end goal. 

In order to solve a problem, you need multiple different perspectives and ideas provided along the way. The same is true with research -- it starts with a problem and various scholars from various disciplines join together to solve said problem. Specifically in my research, I've seen diplomats and scientists work together to further discussions that could benefit populations. It's showing me that not just pure science of the way things work can solve a problem alone. Teamwork in this context fosters innovation and holistic problem-solving, leading to richer, more nuanced solutions -- a conclusion that no one researcher could come to on their own.