Katie Karnes Email and Phone Number

As a member of the Alaska Region Night Skies Team, I collected night sky survey images using a CCD camera to measure light pollution levels in Denali and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. To process these images and quantify the amount of artificial light present in the images, I developed the Sky Brightness Metrics script, below. In conjunction with the Night Skies Data Processing Pipeline, produced by the NPS Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, these metrics will be used to… Show more As a member of the Alaska Region Night Skies Team, I collected night sky survey images using a CCD camera to measure light pollution levels in Denali and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. To process these images and quantify the amount of artificial light present in the images, I developed the Sky Brightness Metrics script, below. In conjunction with the Night Skies Data Processing Pipeline, produced by the NPS Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, these metrics will be used to quantify levels of natural and artifical light in the night sky.I also created and field-tested a map using ArcMap, ArcGIS Online, and the ArcGIS Collector app that will be used to complete an inventory of outdoor lighting in Denali's headquarters area. Finally, I organized interpretive stargazing events to provide an opportunity for visitors and local community members to connect with the night sky and learn about the scientific research being conducted at Denali. Show less

I developed my interpretive skills by creating several new and original programs including a guided geology hike, a Junior Ranger program on animal adaptations, an evening program on current scientific research projects, and a pop-up program on poetry. I continued my involvement with the growing astronomy program by working with a team of rangers and volunteers to offer night sky programs to audiences of up to 150 people per night.My additional responsibilities included issuing backcountry… Show more I developed my interpretive skills by creating several new and original programs including a guided geology hike, a Junior Ranger program on animal adaptations, an evening program on current scientific research projects, and a pop-up program on poetry. I continued my involvement with the growing astronomy program by working with a team of rangers and volunteers to offer night sky programs to audiences of up to 150 people per night.My additional responsibilities included issuing backcountry camping permits and climbing permits according to SOPs, assisting with search and rescue operations as needed, and serving as a first responder to multiple medical incidents. Show less

I developed and presented several interpretive programs including astronomy programs, introductory geology talks, and a guided full moon walk to over 200 visitors. I operated the visitor center and ensured a meaningful and safe experience for visitors by providing a wide range of information, including information on the natural and cultural resources of Devils Tower, the history of the park, and timely road and trail conditions. I also shared engaging content and managed the park's social… Show more I developed and presented several interpretive programs including astronomy programs, introductory geology talks, and a guided full moon walk to over 200 visitors. I operated the visitor center and ensured a meaningful and safe experience for visitors by providing a wide range of information, including information on the natural and cultural resources of Devils Tower, the history of the park, and timely road and trail conditions. I also shared engaging content and managed the park's social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and answered visitor questions by phone, email, and mail. Show less

I was responsible for writing documentation for two risk management software systems -- Procipient and VendorInsight. I both wrote the documentation to be referenced as a user's manual and formatted it into a database for an interactive, searchable help feature that has been integrated into the software.I also independently created 15 educational videos that will train clients on how to use the software. I recorded software demonstrations using Adobe Captivate and audio narrations using… Show more I was responsible for writing documentation for two risk management software systems -- Procipient and VendorInsight. I both wrote the documentation to be referenced as a user's manual and formatted it into a database for an interactive, searchable help feature that has been integrated into the software.I also independently created 15 educational videos that will train clients on how to use the software. I recorded software demonstrations using Adobe Captivate and audio narrations using Ableton Live, and developed efficient procedures that will be used by VendorInsight to create additional training videos in the future. Show less

As a Geoscientists-in-the-Parks (GIP) intern, I was responsible for presenting an astronomy program to the public four nights a week. I used modern interpretive techniques to design programs that would create memorable experiences for visitors to help them understand the importance of preserving dark night skies. I also worked in the visitor center where I assisted visitors by answering questions and providing information about the park.

For my senior thesis, I conducted an independent research project on the spectroscopy of solar system bodies. I collected lunar optical spectra and detected latitudinal and compositional variations. I found that the latitudinal variations could be attributed to space weathering. Additionally, I analyzed archival data of Jupiter and the Galilean moons to determine what distinguishing spectral features could be detected using a modest ground-based spectrograph.

I assisted with the Astronomy 101 and 102 courses (introductory courses intended for non-majors). I attended lectures, ran tutoring sessions twice a week to answer student questions, and organized observing sessions for the class at Colgate's Foggy Bottom Observatory.

I worked with Professor Thomas Balonek to study the optical variability of BL Lacertae. My responsibilities included nightly observing at Colgate's Foggy Bottom Observatory to monitor BL Lac and other quasars and analyzing current and old data using programs such as IRAF to produce light curves. I produced a light curve and wrote a paper on BL Lac's summer 2014 activity. I presented these results in November 2014 at the Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium held at Swarthmore College.

Working under the guidance of Professor Timothy Glotch, I studied the optical constants of pyroxenes and their dependence on the pyroxenes’ composition. To achieve this, I wrote MATLAB codes to model the optical constants from the spectra of pyroxenes and then investigated how the optical constants vary with composition.Additionally, I assisted the lab by acquiring temperature-controlled VNIR spectra of a variety of minerals and meteorites.

I participated in the SETI Institute REU and worked with Jeffrey Smith at the NASA Ames Research Center to search K2 data for exoplanet transits. I modified and improved the MATLAB programs that are used to detect transits to customize them for K2 light curves. Within the Campaign 3 data set, I detected 41 planet candidates that are now candidates for follow-up observations.