Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
- Institution
- Keyword
-
- Astronomy (1)
- Astrophysics (1)
- Autoguider (1)
- Binary (1)
- Black Holes (1)
-
- Contrast (1)
- Cosmology (1)
- Darks (1)
- Diffraction (1)
- Exoplanet (1)
- Flats (1)
- Galaxy Evolution (1)
- Gravitational waves (1)
- LIGO (1)
- New Hampshire (1)
- Observatory (1)
- Optics (1)
- Parametric instability (1)
- Photometry (1)
- Resolution (1)
- Ring Galaxies (1)
- Spiral Galaxy Structure (1)
- Star (1)
- Telescope (1)
- Transit (1)
Articles 1 - 7 of 7
Full-Text Articles in Instrumentation
High Power And Optomechanics In Advanced Ligo Detectors, Terra Christine Hardwick
High Power And Optomechanics In Advanced Ligo Detectors, Terra Christine Hardwick
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
In September 2015, a new era of astronomy began with the first direct detection of grav- itational waves from a binary black hole coalescence. The event was captured by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, comprised of two long-baseline interferometers, one in Livingston, LA and one in Hanford, WA. At the time of the first detection, the interferometers were part way through an upgrade to an advanced configuration and were operating with a strain sensitivity of just better than 10−23/Hz1/2 around 100Hz. The full Advanced LIGO design calls for sensitivity of a few parts in 10−24/Hz …
A Rotating Aperture Mask For Small Telescopes, Edward L. Foley
A Rotating Aperture Mask For Small Telescopes, Edward L. Foley
Master's Theses
Observing the dynamic interaction between stars and their close stellar neighbors is key to establishing the stars’ orbits, masses, and other properties. Our ability to visually discriminate nearby stars is limited by the power of our telescopes, posing a challenge to astronomers at small observatories that contribute to binary star surveys. Masks placed at the telescope aperture promise to augment the resolving power of telescopes of all sizes, but many of these masks must be manually and repetitively reoriented about the optical axis to achieve their full benefits. This paper introduces a design concept for a mask rotation mechanism that …
The Disk Structure Of Late Type Galaxies: Determining The Black Hole Mass Function Of Low Surface Brightness Galaxies Through Logarithmic Spiral Arm Pitch Angle Measurement, Michael S. Fusco
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation pertains to the geometric structure of late type (spiral) galaxies, specifically on the relation between the logarithmic spiral pitch angle of the galactic spiral arms with other properties of the galaxy, such as central Supermassive Black Hole (SMBH) mass. Our work continues a study of the Black Hole Mass Function (BHMF) in local galaxies by recording the pitch angles of spiral galaxies with lower surface brightness than were previously included. We also conduct a case study on the structure of an interestingly shaped galaxy, UGC 4599. Previous studies on the topic of spiral arm pitch angles have measured …
Improving Photometry And Astrophotography By Eliminating Dark Frames And Flat Fields, Tom C. Ireland
Improving Photometry And Astrophotography By Eliminating Dark Frames And Flat Fields, Tom C. Ireland
Honors Theses and Capstones
I report on the efforts to improve the dark frames and flat fielding procedure for the charged-coupled device (CCD) camera for the Celestron C14 telescope at the UNH observatory. Dark frames are images taken while the shutter of the camera is closed so that only electronic and dark noise and other internal inconsistencies are recorded. These are important because they allow astronomers to subtract out interference from dark current. Additionally, flat fields are images of the entire field of the telescope so that the brightness in the pixels of the telescope’s field of view is uniform. Flat fields are vital …
Normalization Of Leadville Neutron Monitor To Climax Neutron Monitor, Brian J. O'Connor
Normalization Of Leadville Neutron Monitor To Climax Neutron Monitor, Brian J. O'Connor
Honors Theses and Capstones
No abstract provided.
Unh Observatory Exoplanet Transit Depth Limit, Nicholas R. Larose
Unh Observatory Exoplanet Transit Depth Limit, Nicholas R. Larose
Honors Theses and Capstones
Using the University of New Hampshire Observatory, we performed multiple exoplanet transits observations on a variety of systems. Of these transits, those performed with ideal weather conditions were chosen to do extensive analysis on. The transit chosen for initial analysis was HAT-P-56b. We then used Z-Score values, along with the average mean and standard deviation collected from multiple transits to determine a minimum possible transit depth of 7.4 +/- 0.6 mmag. This value will allow UNH to access exoplanet transit observation and / or confirm potential exoplanets, thus making the UNH Observatory more research capable. A follow up threshold transit …
Analysis Of Autoguiding For Exoplanet Transit Research At The Unh Observatory, Anthony Cappuccio
Analysis Of Autoguiding For Exoplanet Transit Research At The Unh Observatory, Anthony Cappuccio
Honors Theses and Capstones
This paper will discuss the proper calibration technique for an autoguider of a CCD camera and the results that follow from successful exoplanet transit observations. A brief background on exoplanets, the transit method, and the analysis of their parent stars through photometry will be examined. The results will be presented in a before and after framework that will visually represent the data improvements from autoguiding as graphical Light Curves (LC). The addition of being able to autoguide at the UNH observatory will work towards providing future students with the possibility of performing follow-up ground-based observations and archiving their work online …