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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Astrophysics and Astronomy

2021

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Utilizing High Throughput Computing Techniques For The Predictions Of Spectroscopic Properties Of Astrophysically Relevant Molecules, Brian Ferrari Dec 2021

Utilizing High Throughput Computing Techniques For The Predictions Of Spectroscopic Properties Of Astrophysically Relevant Molecules, Brian Ferrari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Here, we utilize Quantum Chemistry (QC) approaches to predict the structures, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities and Raman activities of unusual molecular species using the General Atomic and Molecular Structure System (GAMESS(US)) package. A Python-based software, AutoGAMESS, was developed to automate the workflow and take advantage of High Throughput Computing (HTC) techniques enabling the automated generation of spectroscopic data from hundreds of calculations. This approach was utilized to determine these properties for a series of carbon oxides (C2On; n = 3 to 4), anticipated to be produced during the radiation of pure carbon dioxide ices, under conditions relevant to the interstellar …


A Spectroscopic Survey Of Primitive Main Belt Asteroid Populations, Anicia Arredondo-Guerrero Jan 2021

A Spectroscopic Survey Of Primitive Main Belt Asteroid Populations, Anicia Arredondo-Guerrero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

Primitive asteroids have remained mostly unprocessed since their formation, and the study of these populations has implications about the conditions of the early solar system and the evolution of the asteroid belt. This spectroscopic study of inner main-belt (IMB) primitive asteroids addresses three central objectives: 1) determine the origin and composition of objects in the near-Earth object population, particularly spacecraft targets; 2) test theories of how processes such as space weathering and aqueous alteration affect surface properties of small, low-albedo bodies; and 3) explore how primitive objects in the background population (i.e., asteroids not belonging to dynamical families) relate to …


Simulating Ejecta Blown Off The Lunar Surface Due To Landing Spacecraft Using The Mercury N-Body Integrator, Isabel Rivera Jan 2021

Simulating Ejecta Blown Off The Lunar Surface Due To Landing Spacecraft Using The Mercury N-Body Integrator, Isabel Rivera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The experiences of the Apollo lunar landings revealed the danger lunar dust can pose to surrounding hardware, outposts, and orbiting spacecraft. Future lunar missions such as the Artemis program will require more information about the trajectories of ejecta blown by landers to protect orbiting spacecraft such as the Lunar Gateway. In this paper, we simulate lunar lander ejecta trajectories using the Mercury N-body integrator. We placed cones of test particles on the Moon at the North Pole, South Pole, and Equator with various ejection speeds and angles. The results show that particles ejected at speeds near the Moon's escape velocity …