By Benjamin Borg
As a first-year student pursuing my Matriculation Certificate at Junior College, I have always been fascinated by space sciences, with the dream of one day contributing to the field. This passion for space motivated me to seek out opportunities beyond my formal education. When I discovered that I could intern at the Institute of Space Sciences and Astronomy during the summer between my first and second year, I knew it was the perfect chance to get hands-on experience in the field I was passionate about.
Throughout the internship, I had the opportunity to work closely with experts, notably Mr Connor Sant Fournier and Prof. Jackson Said and gained practical experience in using Python for data analysis, a crucial skill in the field of space sciences. In the beginning, I was assigned simpler tasks that allowed me to get comfortable with the programming language. I learned how to create graphs, perform calculations, and analyse basic data sets, all of which were new to me. Gradually, the complexity of the tasks increased, pushing me out of my comfort zone.
One of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences was developing a basic simulation of a satellite orbiting a planet. This project required a deep understanding of mathematics far beyond what I had covered in my Pure Mathematics A-level syllabus. I faced a steep learning curve but, through persistence and guidance from my mentors, I was able to create a functional simulation.
By the end of the internship, I was tasked with analysing NASA's extensive exoplanet database. I wrote scripts to evaluate the various properties of exoplanets and even developed a tool that allowed users to compare different planetary characteristics. This project sparked my interest in exoplanet research and solidified my desire to pursue a career in space sciences.
