About Me

Education:
Ph.D. Astronomy / Yale University / In Progress
M.A. Astronomy / Wesleyan University / Planetary Science Concentration
A.S. Physics & Mathematics / Cabrillo College / High Honors
B.A. English / Oberlin College / Environmental Studies Minor, ΦΒΚ Honors

Research Interests: I am curious about all topics in astrophysics, and engaged with the cultural and ethical contexts of my work. My master's thesis investigated the interstellar cloudscapes that surround the Solar System using new data from the New Horizons mission. In the realm of high-energy astrophysics, I have experience running stellar-evolution stimulations to better characterize stars that have survived an encounter with a supermassive black hole.

Research

Astronomy Master's Thesis, Wesleyan University
Modeling all-sky galactic Lyman-α absorption due to local interstellar medium (LISM) clouds surrounding the Solar System. We predict what the Alice UV spectrograph aboard NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft should see as it reaches the edge of the heliosphere and compare models with New Horizons' first all-sky observations.
Advisor: Seth Redfield.
Read the thesis: Shadows on the Sky: Mapping New Horizons' Vision of the LISM

Lamat Institute in Computational Astrophysics, UC Santa Cruz
Investigating the characteristics of stars that have survived tidal disruption by a supermassive black hole. Simulating the long-term evolution of tidally disrupted stars using the stellar evolution code MESA. By comparing theoretical deviation of disrupted vs. undisturbed stars, our findings provide observational detection strategies.
Advisor: Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz.
Read the paper: Black Hole Survival Guide | Press: AAS Nova, StarXiv Podcast

Plankton Monitoring Lab, Cabrillo College
Contributed to NOAA/NCCOS west coast plankton monitoring applied research project, increasing understanding of harmful algal blooms in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Gained experience in plankton collection and identification, microscopes, data analysis, and scientific illustration.
Advisors: Nicole Crane, Jane Silberstein.

Community

Teaching: Currently, I am a Teaching Fellow for introductory astronomy courses at Yale University. Previously, I was a TA for the Wesleyan University Astronomy Department for four semesters. I hosted labs, observing sessions, office hours, and graded for introductory and intermediate classes, including ASTR 105 (Exploring the Cosmos), ASTR 155 (Introduction to Astrophysics), and ASTR 211 (Observational Astronomy). Prior to this, I worked as a Math Tutor and Writing Tutor supporting first-generation community college students at Cabrillo College.

Outreach: Last fall, I led telescope programs and gave public astronomy talks to hundreds of visitors weekly at Joshua Tree National Park through the Scientists-in-Parks program. From 2022-2024, I helped host weekly public observing nights at Wesleyan's Van Vleck Observatory, including operating a Digitalis portable planetarium, the historic 1916 Alvan Clark 20" Great Refractor, and 8" and 24" reflector telescopes. I have several years of experience as a California State Park educator designing and leading in-person and virtual natural science programming for all ages.

Equity & Ethics: As a master's student, I helped re-kickstart the Wesleyan Astronomy Equity & Ethics Journal Club, hosted a reading group on decolonizing space, and organized the first (now annual) Pride Month Star-gay-zing event. While at Cabrillo College, I served as Events Coordinator for the Women in Science and Engineering club, providing opportunites for gender minorities in STEM.

Contact

Email: rewa.bush [at] yale [dot] edu