Pulsar Search Collaboratory

# Pulsar Search Collaboratory The Pulsar Search Collaboratory (PSC) is a partnership between West Virginia University, the Green Bank Observatory, and the NANOGrav collaboration, funded by the National Science Foundation. Members analyze radio astronomy data collected by the 100-meter Green Bank Telescope - one of the world's largest steerable radio telescopes - searching for undiscovered pulsars, the rapidly spinning remnants of massive stars. PSC students have co-discovered real pulsars that entered the scientific literature. ## What You'll Do - Complete the free PSC online course to learn pulsar science and earn analysis certification - Grade real telescope data plots through the Pulsar Search Dashboard, hunting for new pulsars - Join community groups and the PSC Slack to work with astronomers, mentors, and peer teams - Compete in team rankings, and qualify for the week-long PSC summer camp at Green Bank Observatory ($400 room and board, scholarships available) by completing 1,000 plot analyses ## Who Should Apply Students aged 13 and older anywhere in the US who want to do genuine astronomy research from a laptop. Membership is free, enrollment is open year-round, and no prior astronomy experience is needed - teachers can also form school-based teams. ## Outcomes Members gain real research experience in radio astronomy and data analysis, a national community of scientists and student researchers, and the chance to be credited on an actual pulsar discovery. Top contributors earn eligibility for the residential summer camp at the observatory in West Virginia.