UNF students build telescope, explore other parts of the universe

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — College students are helping scientists explore other parts of the universe with a telescope that’s under more of a mile of ice.

On Thursday, University of North Florida student Andre Sierra said astrophysics and mathematics are what he sees in his future.

The junior described, “I’m just 20 years old. I have a lot of choices right ahead of me.”

Content Continues Below:

TRENDING:

Boost Mobile employees arrested after selling meth, heroin at Middleburg store, CCSO says
Clay County woman recovering from vaping lung disease speaks out about e-cigarette dangers
Pastor and mental health advocate Jarrid Wilson dies of apparent suicide
Jacksonville doctor recruits more doctors, nurses to go back to help those in need in Bahamas
Missing New Mexico girl Renezmae Calzada found dead after 3-day search, police say

Sierra told Action News Jax he feels lucky to be involved in the building of an IceACT telescope.

He explained, “I was in charge of monitoring the data that was sent from the South Pole to us, right here.”

According to Professor Jack Hewitt, the prototype telescope will work with another in the South Pole that’s already buried 2 km under the ice.

He said it will find cosmic rays in the Earth’s atmosphere.

“It’s literally a way of experiencing the universe that we could never do on our own,” described Hewitt.

Sierra said the work is helping him choose a career.

“Just being involved in this type of research has been extremely influential in deciding what I want to do in the future,” he said.

UNF is inviting the community to join in their study of astronomy on Sept.13 at 8 p.m.

Cox Media Group

Jacksonville, St. Augustine USPS workers indicted for mail misconduct