Project Overview
Chemical Composition of Globular Cluster Remnant Stars
Department(s)
Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Globular clusters are dense star clusters found in the Milky Way and other galaxies. Just like the moon causes tides on the Earth, the Milky Way causes tidal forces on these star clusters, slowly pulling the stars away from each other until they mix into the outer halo of our galaxy.
However, the stars that form in these clusters have unique chemical patterns not found in other types of stellar systems, and we can see those chemical patterns long after a star cluster has been ripped apart. By looking at the light from these stars, we can measure the elemental abundances in these stars and learn more about the chemistry and dynamics of star clusters in our Galaxy
In this project, students will be expected to analyze high-resolution data from telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory or Apache Point Observatory in order to find the chemical composition of these stars. We will also compare our analyses to known abundances in other star clusters as a consistency check. These results will then be shared with a broader research collaboration.
Student Qualifications
- Basic understanding of python coding
- Has taken ASTR 312
Project Length
10 weeks
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