62nd Annual STS (2002-2003)
Finalists
Vera Louise te Velde

OKLAHOMA
Vera Louise te Velde, 16, of Stillwater, wrote enhanced modified computer simulations to study to what degree background radiation obscures X-ray point sources in the image of the central region of our Milky Way galaxy taken by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory for her Intel Science Talent Search project in earth and space sciences. By resolving point source radiation effects, a greater understanding of the nature and evolution of orbiting stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes in our galaxy can be gained. The telescope's mirrors focus X-rays sharply in the center of the field of view, but the image becomes progressively more blurred at off-axis angles. By compensating for the progressive blur, Vera's simulations enhance resolution of a greater number of point sources. First in her class at Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics in Oklahoma City, Vera has perfect SAT scores. She is a member of the science club and plays violin in the school orchestra. Born in Germany, she is the daughter of Dr. John and Rebecca te Velde. Vera hopes to study physics at MIT, earn a Ph.D. in astronomy and study galactic and universal evolution as an astronomical researcher.