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Tim Minella '09 Receives American Astronomical Society Student Award

Contact: Holly Foster
Phone: (315) 859-4068
February 5, 2009

Tim Minella '09
Tim Minella '09
Tim Minella '09, a double major in government and physics, has been honored with the Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Award by the American Astronomical Society (AAS). These awards are given to recognize exemplary research by undergraduate and graduate students who present at one of the poster sessions at the meetings of the American Astronomical Society. Minella presented results of his research at the 213th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Long Beach, Calif., in January. The awardees receive a Chambliss medal and a certificate.

Minella's research, performed with Dr. Brian Connolly of the University of Pennsylvania (who is also a Scholar-in-Residence at Hamilton) and Assistant Professor of Physics Natalia Connolly, investigated the use of an advanced statistical technique called sequential analysis for the next generation of large-scale cosmology experiments.

Many of these experiments will collect large samples of so-called Type Ia supernovae, which are crucial for understanding the expansion history of the Universe and the nature of the mysterious dark energy that currently drives it. The sequential analysis technique will allow scientists to select supernova candidate for a spectroscopic follow-up that will unambiguously discriminate between the Type Ia and other types of supernovae.

The AAS, established in 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The basic objective of the AAS is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of science. The membership (7,000) also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy.  
 
Minella is the son of Megan and Louis Minella of Kennett Square, Pa. He graduated from Unionville High School.