Sean Pike
Postdoctoral scholar at UCSD
email: seannpike [dot] astro [at] gmail [dot] com
About me
Hello! I am postdoctoral scholar at the Center for Astrophysics and Space Sciences at UCSD where I study the properties of germanium detectors in order to predict how the detectors aboard the Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) will be affected by collisions with high-energy protons in orbit. My astronomy research focuses on accreting objects, including low-mass X-ray binaries, supergiant X-ray binaries, and ultra-luminous X-ray sources. I am particularly interested in the varied and extreme phenomena that arise due to accretion onto neutron stars, such as X-ray pulsations and thermonuclear bursts.
Navigating this website
Everything is on one page; scroll down to find a selection of papers, my CV, and more.
Me and Sparky the Maltese hanging out at a cafe in Pasadena. Photo credit: Sarah Johnson
Selected papers
Pike, S. N., Mandigo-Stoba, M. S., Cook, W. C., et al., 2022, JATIS, 8(4), 046002
Pike, S. N., Negoro, H., Tomsick, J. A., et al., 2022, ApJ, 927, 190
Pike, S. N., Harrison, F. A., Tomsick, J. A., et al., 2021, ApJ, 918, 9
Pike, S. N., Harrison, F. A., Bachetti, M., et al., 2019, ApJ, 875, 144
Pike, S. N., Ebisawa, K., Ikeda, S., et al. 2017, Journal of Space Science Informatics Japan, Volume 6
Community organizing and service
I feel compelled to build communities based in care and compassion. Below are a few of the ways I've done that throughout my career.
Socialists of Caltech
As a founding member and previous co-chair of the Socialists of Caltech, I have worked with other students to help make our communities better places to live for working people. I have run regular reading groups, designed lessons for outreach to local schools, and helped to write and pass legislation which will protect local renters.
CaltechY RISE tutoring
As a CaltechY RISE tutor, I taught local high school students math and physics for several years. I have a deep love for teaching, and I strive to provide a welcoming environment in which students can build their confidence and their understanding at the same time.
Caltech for Black Lives
I cofounded and served as a co-chair of Caltech for Black Lives. We worked closely with the Black Scientists and Engineers of Caltech (BSEC) to make Caltech a safer and more welcoming place for those belonging to minoritized groups.
Curriculum Vitae
CV_May2023.pdf