Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
An Acoustical Analogue Of A Galactic-Scale Gravitational-Wave Detector, Michael T. Lam, Joseph D. Romano, Joey Key, M. E. Normandin, Jeffrey S. Hazboun
An Acoustical Analogue Of A Galactic-Scale Gravitational-Wave Detector, Michael T. Lam, Joseph D. Romano, Joey Key, M. E. Normandin, Jeffrey S. Hazboun
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations
By precisely monitoring the “ticks” of Nature's most precise clocks (millisecond pulsars), scientists are trying to detect the “ripples in spacetime” (gravitational waves) produced by the inspirals of supermassive black holes in the centers of distant merging galaxies. Here, we describe a relatively simple demonstration that uses two metronomes and a microphone to illustrate several techniques used by pulsar astronomers to search for and detect gravitational waves. An adapted version of this demonstration could be used as an instructional laboratory investigation at the undergraduate level.
Validating Sidescan Sonar As A Fish Survey Tool Over Artificial Reefs, Michael A. Bollinger, Richard Kline
Validating Sidescan Sonar As A Fish Survey Tool Over Artificial Reefs, Michael A. Bollinger, Richard Kline
School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations
Visual observation methods via SCUBA are commonly used to survey artificial reef fish, although conditions in the Gulf of Mexico often make surveys difficult or even dangerous for divers. In this study, sidescan sonar was used to quantify water-column fish abundance and was compared to the established visual observation methods on SCUBA over four reef sites. Calibrated intensity values measured from sidescan sonar echo returns were used to estimate fish body length and to calculate scaled biomass (g/m2 reef) from a pooled fish length–weight relationship of commonly observed reef fish in the area. Sidescan sonar methods were equivalent to SCUBA …