Christian Norseth

Christian Norseth

Astrophysics PhD Candidate

CV

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Education

  • Ph.D in Physics, University of Utah, 2028 (expected)
  • M.S. in Physics, University of Utah, 2025
  • B.S. in Physics, University of Utah, 2021

Research Experience

  • Graduate Research Assistant
    PI: Dr. Daniel Wik
    University of Utah

    • Abell 754 (2026 - Present)
      • Exploring shock strength and equilibration models in the galaxy cluster merger A754.
    • PHEMTO Core Member (2026 - Present)
      • The Polarimetric High Energy Modular Telescope Observatory - mission concept proposal
      • Simulated temperature profile across shock front in A665 and impact on equilibration models
    • X-ray Cross-Calibration (2025 - Present)
      • Studying the effect of instrumentation on galaxy cluster temperature measurements
      • Will study how instrumentation affects cluster mass measurements and resulting cosmological constraints
    • Double Radio Relic Galaxy Cluster ZWCL+1856 (2024 - 2026)
      • Remote/Visiting Collaboration with MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research (PI: Dr. Aysegül Tümer)
      • Investigated IC and B field strength in galaxy cluster merger
      • Visited MIT May 2024
      • Publishing second author paper
    • Equilibration in Galaxy Cluster Merger A665 (2023-2025)
      • Conducted detailed temperature analysis across shock front
      • Derived shock heating models for electron-ion equilibration
      • Published first author paper

  • Post-Bacc/Undergraduate Research Assistant
    PI: Dr. Daniel Wik
    University of Utah

    • STAR-X Gas Clumping Simulations (2021-2023)
      • Assessed sensitivity of STAR-X, a NASA MIDEX probe in phase A study
      • Simulated gas clumping in galaxy cluster outskirts
      • Constructed simulations and analysis pipelines
      • Published first author paper

Successful Observing and Funding Proposals

  • PI, 2026: Graduate Student Travel Grant, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah, $1250
  • PI, 2026: NuSTAR, “3C 438: Constraining a Shock in one of the Hottest Clusters in the Universe,” 300 ks, C priority
  • Co-I, 2026: NuSTAR, “Shock Front and Inverse Compton Search Across the Double Radio Relics of MACS J1752.0+4440,” 200 ks (PI: Aysegül Tümer) - B priority
  • Co-I, 2026: NuSTAR, “Triangulum Australis: Uncovering a Merger in an Obscure(d) Galaxy Cluster,” 125 ks (PI: Daniel Wik) - B priority
  • Co-I, 2025: XRISM, “Turbulence and Accurate Temperatures in Abell 2204,” 250 ks, C priority (PI: Daniel Wik)
  • Co-I, 2025: NuSTAR, “Hot Gas, Hydrostatic Mass, and Inverse Compton Constraints in Abell 1914 & Abell 1689,” 220 ks, C priority (PI: Daniel Wik)
  • Co-I, 2024: ADAP, “X-ray Cross-calibration and the Impact on Cluster Cosmology,” $449,098 (PI: Daniel Wik)
  • Co-I, 2024: XRISM, “Gas Dynamics in the Line-of-Sight Merger Abell 2163 with XRISM,” 200 ks, $176,173 (PI: Daniel Wik)

Research Supported by: NASA NuSTAR GO Grant NNX17AH31G (PI: Daniel Wik), NASA NuSTAR GO Grant NNH22ZDA001N (PI: Aysegül Tümer)

Publications

Talks

Service and leadership

  • Webmaster (2026–Present)

    Great Salt Lake Audubon

    Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    • Attend board meetings and discuss upcoming events.
    • Update and maintain website.

  • AstroCoffee Organizing Committee Member (2026–Present)

    University of Utah

    Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    • Assist in the organization and facilitation of a journal club.

  • Science Fair Mentor (2023–Present)

    Science With U

    Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    • Mentor middle school students with their science fair projects.

  • Astrophysics Intern (2022)

    Evans and Sutherland

    Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    • Designed and scripted planetarium shows using astronomical datasets in the Digistar Command Language.

  • Think Tank Contributor (2018)

    Spark Lab

    Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    • Assessed how to improve the accessibility of information at the University of Utah Hospital Burn Unit.

Teaching

  • Teaching Assistant

    Undergraduate Course , University of Utah, Physics and Astronomy Department

    Salt Lake City, US

    2023–2024

    Lead discussion sections for PHYS 2220, introductory physics 2 (E&M) for undergraduates.