Research Project

The research project will be about a 6-10 page paper (7 or 8 is a good target). These cannot be done in groups, but feel free to discuss with others. I provide a list of topics below only as a guide but I highly encourage you to choose any topic that you want. Write about something that interests you. If you are concerned that the subject is too far away from the class topics, just ask me. You must include a discussion of the interplay between your subject and the media. All papers will be due on the last day of class but I will take, and very much encourage, a paper at anytime during the semester.

Some topics include:
Extrasolar Planet Detection
Search for Extrasolar Life
Supermassive Black Holes
Recent Results from Space Observatories
Fate of the Universe
Future of the Earth
Exploration of Mars
Alternative Theories of the Universe