Aylin Garcia Soto

Current (Dartmouth College):

Recently, I conducted a survey of 30 M dwarfs previously identified as fast-rotating stars, examining their magnetism. I used Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) time-series optical photometry and operated the Ohio State Multi-Object Spectrograph (OSMOS) optical spectra from the 2.4m Hiltner telescope at MDM Observatory in Arizona. From the TESS light curves, I utilized Gaussian Processes to measure rotation periods and photometric amplitudes. From the OSMOS spectra, I calculated the equivalent width of H alpha  and H alpha luminosity. My research revealed a weak positive correlation between H alpha luminosity and the semi-amplitude, and short-term variability (between 20-45 minutes) in H alpha equivalent widths, possibly indicating enhancement from flares consistent with recent literature. This research has been presented at conferences and published in academic journals.

Past (Wesleyan University):

After completing multiple summer undergrad research experiences on variable stars outside of Wesleyan university, I conducted a honor undergraduate thesis with Prof. Edward Moran to identify new Changing-look AGNs (CLAGNs) using X-ray data from the Einstein and ROSAT missions. This allowed me to develop my coding skills, work with X-ray data, and present my results in a written format. Following graduation from Wesleyan University, I undertook a funded summer research project with Prof. William Herbst investigating the young T Tauri binary system V 582 Mon. Using SMARTS/ANDICAM optical and infrared instrument data, I created phase-folded light curves, color-magnitude diagrams, and extinction curves. I presented my findings at the AAS conference in January 2019 and published a first-author paper in January 2020.