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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Investigating The O’Connell Effect In Kepler Eclipsing Binaries, Matthew Frederick Knote
Investigating The O’Connell Effect In Kepler Eclipsing Binaries, Matthew Frederick Knote
Theses and Dissertations
The O’Connell effect – the presence of unequal maxima in eclipsing binaries – remains an unsolved riddle in the study of close binary systems. The Kepler space telescope produced high precision photometry of nearly 3,000 eclipsing binary systems, providing a unique opportunity to study the O’Connell effect in a large sample and in greater detail than in previous studies. I have characterized the observational properties – including temperature, luminosity, and eclipse depth – of a set of 212 systems (7.3% of Kepler eclipsing binaries) that display a maxima flux difference of at least 1%, representing the largest sample of O’Connell …
Infrared Search For N-Butane And Trans-2-Butene In Titan’S Atmosphere, Brendan Steffens
Infrared Search For N-Butane And Trans-2-Butene In Titan’S Atmosphere, Brendan Steffens
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation constitutes a study of the possible presence of trace hydrocarbons, namely n-butane (n-C4H10) and trans-2-butene (trans-2-C4H8) in Titan’s atmosphere. These molecules, both of which bear specific connections of interest to Titan’s astrobiological potential, are predicted by photochemical models to occur at detectable abundances within Titan’s atmosphere. In spite of this, neither has been detected to date, by any means. For this work, both of these molecules were characterized in the laboratory by obtaining a comprehensive set of highresolution, infrared cross section measurements at cold temperatures appropriate for Titan. In the case of n-butane, a pseudoline list (i.e. an …
The Development Of A New All-In-One Allsky Camera And Radiometer System, Ashley Suzanne Hughes
The Development Of A New All-In-One Allsky Camera And Radiometer System, Ashley Suzanne Hughes
Theses and Dissertations
We developed a new all-in-one camera and radiometer system for meteor surveillance. It proved successful during its first bolide event on 13 April 2021, as reported in the journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science, volume 57, number 3, pages 575-587. The event capture produced both video and radiometric data, and with the video data we were able to calculate a trajectory and orbit, and determine the fragmentation characteristics of the meteor as it traveled through the atmosphere.
Extreme-Contrast Ratio Imaging Of Bright Star Fields Using Charge-Injection Devices, Sailee Mangesh Sawant
Extreme-Contrast Ratio Imaging Of Bright Star Fields Using Charge-Injection Devices, Sailee Mangesh Sawant
Theses and Dissertations
The intrinsic nature of many astronomical sources, such as exoplanets, binary and multiple star systems, circumstellar disks, and active galactic nuclei and their host galaxies, introduces challenging requirements for observational instrumentation and techniques. In each case, we encounter situations where the light from bright sources hampers our abilities to detect surrounding fainter targets. To explore and study all features of such extreme-contrast ratio (ECR) scenes, we must perform observations at the maximum possible contrast ratios. However, direct imaging of fainter objects in the vicinity of bright sources imposes limitations on the type of contrast ratios achievable using ground- and spacebased …