We are seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented undergraduate student to join the LCO Solar System Group in support of ESA's Hera mission, the European Space Agency's follow-up mission to the Didymos binary asteroid system. This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to active planetary defense research using the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) global telescope network.
What You'll Do
- Schedule and coordinate ground-based observations of the Didymos system using LCO's robotic telescope network, gaining hands-on experience with professional observatory tools and scheduling pipelines
- Reduce, process, and analyze data acquired from LCO observations
- Monitor and characterize the Didymos system to support Hera mission objectives, including tracking the orbital and physical properties of Dimorphos following NASA's DART spacecraft impact on Sep 26, 2022.
- Collaborate with researchers to interpret observational results and increase our understanding of the Didymos system before Hera's arrival
Who We're Looking For
- Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, or a related field
- Interest in planetary science, small bodies, or space mission support
- Basic programming experience, preferably in Python, with a willingness to learn data reduction pipelines
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for observation scheduling and data management
- Prior coursework in astronomy, physics, or mathematics is expected; experience with astronomical software (e.g., AstroPy, DS9) is a plus
About LCO
Las Cumbres Observatory operates a global network of telescopes dedicated to time-domain astronomy, enabling scientists to observe the universe in real time. Our work supports cutting-edge research and education worldwide.
To apply:
Please complete this application, including uploading a resume or CV.
Application deadline is May 4, 2026