AM

Alexander Mendoza's Starfield

AstronomyJourney

Physics senior, astronomy researcher, observatory technician, astrophotographer, and technology builder based in the Rio Grande Valley.

Explore my gallery See observatory work
04
Years in astronomy research
03
Years in observatory operations
10+
Years in keeping up with technological innovations and trends
Alexander Mendoza presenting his TOROS Observatory research poster
Science ConferenceUTRGV · 2026
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01 / About

Me

Looking up—and building what comes next.

I'm Alexander Mendoza, a senior at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley studying Physics and Astronomy, with the long-term goal of earning a Ph.D. in astrophysics.

My work spans transient astronomy, compact star systems, python pipelines, and hands-on observatory operations. I'm equally at home analyzing data, maintaining personal and university instruments, understanding computing, or photographing the South Texas sky.

Alexander Mendoza visiting LIGO Livingston Observatory
Undergrad HighlightsLIGO Livingston Observatory
UTRGV · Class of 2027B.S. Physics

Pure & Applied Physics track

Quantum Mechanics IIntro to Medical Imagingtatistical MechanicsApplied StatisticsUndergraduate ResearchAstronomy Night LabComplex VariablesClassical MechanicsElectromagnetic Theory IIOpticsModern PhysicsIntro to NanoscienceElectromagnetic Theory IDifferential Equations,Physics for Scientists and Engineers IIICalculus IIIPhysics for Scientists and Engineers IISolar System AstronomyIntro AstrophysicsCalculus IIPhysics for Scientists and Engineers ICalculus IIntro to Astronomy IIStellar and Galactic AstronomyPrecalculusIntro to Astronomy IIntro to ProgrammingCollege Algebra
Alexander Mendoza at an American Astronomical Society meetingScientific ResearchAmerican Astronomical SocietyAlexander Mendoza during a UTRGV REU visit to LIGO Livingston ObservatoryLivingston ObservatoryUTRGV REU Trip to LIGOAlexander Mendoza viewing the LIGO Nobel Prize displayGravitational wavesLIGO Nobel Prize
02 / Research

Current work

Studying Photons- from light to data.

These have been my main projects thus far.

01

Supernova Light Curve (25-26)

Commissioning observations with the Yale–TOROS 0.5 m telescope, including aperture photometry and analysis of supernova SN 2024aaur.

TOROS · CTMO
02

AM CVn Temperature Estimations (22-25)

Spectral-energy-distribution fitting of AMCVn candidates onto blackbody models that would give a temperature estimate giving an alternative way to measure.

SED fitting · Python · Archival Data
03

Transient detection with a neural network (current)

Developing two-channel image cutouts and a convolutional neural network to distinguish matched sources from new candidates given an observed field and template. It would provide us with an alternative to difference imaging.

CNN · Survey imaging · Python
03 / Observatory work

Behind the dome

Science depends on teams to keep everything running

Three years of practical observatory experience: preparing instruments, operating telescope systems, supporting repairs, troubleshooting imaging equipment, and helping students make the most of clear nights.

Observatory work needs precision and improvisation. It can mean checking a mount before sunset, diagnosing a camera, collaborating on a spontaneous repair, or helping others learn the telescope system well enough to observe with confidence.

The observatory domes at the César E. Chávez Memorial ObservatoryMy WorkplaceDr. Cristina V. Torres Memorial ObservatoryThe observatory PlaneWave telescope inside its dome at nightPlaneWave CDK 17"CTMO TelescopeAn observatory dome silhouetted against the night skyReady for observingNight at the ObservatoryThe observatory team preparing a telescope mount for repairTeam maintenanceMount RepairAstronomy workshop participants learning together in front of a projection screenTraining · CollaborationPAREE TSC Workshop
05 / Technology

Beyond physics

In general, I have always loved technology.

I selected the components and built my own computer from the ground up, then bench-tested the system before its final assembly. The same curiosity drives my work with scientific code, imaging hardware, cameras, and telescope control systems.

Build and plan with intention
I always test regardless of what i do
Pipeline ArchitectureAlgorithm Debugging & ValidationFITS Calibration & Metadata HandlingImage Registration & ReprojectionSource Detection & Cross-MatchingPhotometry & Light-Curve AnalysisReproducible DatasetsConvoluted Neural NetworkCCD & Instrument DiagnosticsINDI/ASCOM Telescope AutomationCustom PC & Observatory Engineering
The components Alexander selected for his custom computerComponent selection Alexander bench-testing computer components before final assemblyBench testing
Alexander Mendoza's telescope inside his homemade observatory enclosureAn earlier version of Alexander Mendoza's homemade telescope pierEarlier pier design
06 / Personal equipment

Open, Point, Shoot

An observatory without an observatory budget.

A TS-Optics Photon 8-inch f/4 Newtonian rides on a ZWO AM5N with an electronic focuser, filter wheel, LRGB and narrowband filters, and a ZWO ASI2600MM Air monochrome camera.

The enclosure and pier are continuing DIY engineering projects designed for South Texas heat, humidity, and weather. I hope to automate the enclosure in the future.

  • Optics200 mm · f/4 Newtonian
  • MountZWO AM5N
  • ImagingASI2600MM Air · LRGBSHO