I'm in the radio astronomy group in the Caltech astronomy department and I'm interested in the process of how telescopes are designed and built. For my thesis, I'll be working on commissioning a set of radio telescopes at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory, one of which will become a new station for the Event Horizon Telescope.
What really inspires me about space is that it's even possible to study it. The fact that we as humans can build telescopes, point them towards objects millions of trillions of miles away, and then actually see those distant objects blows my mind every day.
I really can't wait to get back to the rock climbing gym with my friends!
I think I would be Cassiopea A - it's the remnant of an exploded star, the brightest radio source outside of the solar system, and named after a queen!
Nitika at OVRO this past fall.