Astronomy 731 Term Projects (Spring 2005)


Projects

1. VLA Project A: choose your own target

The VLA is in the B-array. Two hours of observing time has been allocated by the NRAO/VLA for my class on March 14, between 04:30 and 06:30 LST (you can find a copy of the latest VLA schedule at the VLA web page listed below). Choose a target and a scientific project. Plan, carry out, and reduce the data, and report the results with some scientific analysis.

2. VLA Project B: choose your own archive project

The VLA archive includes mostly successful projects. Choose your favorite target available in the archive, retrieve and reduce the appropriate data, and address your own science questions (which may or may not be intended to be addressed by the original PI).

3. FCRAO 14m Extra-galactic Line Survey of IC 342

Choose 10-15 most interesting lines for Maffei 2 or IC 342. Make observations, reduce data. Develop and write a program that would produce a cross-correlation redshift for the target. Consult Rob Goeller who will provide some assistance with this project since it is related to his PhD thesis project.

4. FCRAO 14m Recomb Line Survey of Orion HII Region

Map Orion HII region in H41 and H42 alpha line, and some molecular transitions. Compare with the VLA+GBT continuum (see Shepherd et al. paper below). Produce an electron temperature map and derive velocity field and ionized gas structure.
  • A planning session for people working on all FCRAO projects (see above) will be held on March 2nd in the 6th floor conference room between 3:30-4:30pm.


    • Proposal and Midterm Report

    Your project proposal is due on March 1st. It should be short (one page), briefly outlining which project you decided to do and how you envision the project to be executed.

    Your midterm report is due on April 1st. It should be short (one page), briefly outlining what you have accomplished thus far. This is an opportunity to formulate what you still need to do and ask further questions.

    Final Report

    As I mentioned at the organizational meeting, these projects should be done in collaboration with a partner or partners. However, you should write your own final written report (due May 1) individually, in your own words. To guide your report, I suggest following topics to be included in your report:

    Orion Project

    VLA HI Projects

    Project Presentation

    You and your partner should also make a joint presentation of your project on May 17th. I suggest a format of 20 minute presentation plus a 5 minute question-and-answer session for each project team. Here is my proposed schedule:
    1. 2:30-2:55pm VLA HI Study of HCG 90 (Sanch & Prachi)
    2. 2:55-3:20pm Search for 21cm HI Emission from NGC 4319 (Kim)
    3. 3:20-3:45pm FCRAO Study of Orion Nebula in H41 & H42 Recombination Lines (Ilsang, Jonathan, Sungryong, Will)

    Important dates

    Last modified on May 12, 2005