Physical Processes Commons^™

Determining The Light Curve And 3d Shape Of Asteroid Eunomia And Egeria Using Relative Photometry, Skylar G. Butler, Jackson Ladd Sackrider

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Asteroids are relics of our solar system’s early formation, preserving valuable information about planetary evolution. Understanding their rotational properties and surface features provides deeper insights into the dynamical and thermophysical processes that shape their evolution. This study aims to conduct photometric observations of two main-belt asteroids, Egeria and Eunomia, using the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 1-meter telescope. Observations will be conducted in the red band on February 28 and March 14, 2025, over five-hour sessions, capturing full rotational light curves for each asteroid. These data will be analyzed using MPO Canopus to generate 3D surface models through photometric inversion techniques. The …

Life Goes On, But Better, Editorial Board

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

" … During a solar flare* An exchange between two telegraph operators during the Carrington Event, the most intense solar flare recorded to date (September 2, 1859. Boston Evening Traveler)."

Satellite-Host Galaxy Co-Evolution With Next-Generation Regulator Models, Austen Gabrielpillai

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The evolution of satellites galaxies is an unsolved problem in galaxy formation. Recent observations such as the SAGA and ELVES surveys find tension in HI contents and star formation of satellites around their central host galaxies when compared to our own local environment, the Milky Way. These processes are potentially highly influenced by the host's circumgalactic medium (CGM), and to constrain these cases requires accurate and fast modeling of satellites-host interactions. In this work, we present our methodology for evolving z = 0 surviving satellites alongside their central galaxy in sapphire, a CGM regulator co-evolution model of galaxy formation. …

The Core-Collapse Supernovae Particle Physics Interactions, Skylar G. Butler

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

This study investigates the role of specific particle physics interactions in simulations of core collapse supernovae, with a focus on understanding how varying levels of inclusion impact the accuracy of gravitational wave predictions and results of simulations. Different research groups often approach these simulations with varying degrees of complexity, cutting corners by omitting certain reactions or simplifying others. This project systematically evaluates the implications of these choices, comparing the particle physics interactions included, the dimensionality of the simulations, and the governing equations used. Our goal is to identify how these factors influence the precision of numerical simulations. By providing a …

Orbital Evolution Of The Datura Asteroid Family, Skylar G. Butler

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

To research the Datura Family of asteroids, we used an orbital evolution code to track the orbital decay of asteroid fragments released in an asteroid disruption. Different particle sizes of 10, 100, 500, 750, and 100 micrometers were tracked including the semi-major axis, eccentricity, and inclination in order to observe how certain particle sizes’ orbital elements evolve. Using a young asteroid family like the Datura family gives more insight into the parent asteroid structure and formation because the time is closer to before the asteroid’s breakup. We use these models to constrain the parameters of the dust by comparing the …

Chemical & Electromagnetic Signatures Of Binary Neutron Star Mergers, Benjamin Amend

All Dissertations

Binary neutron star (BNS) mergers are some of the most energetic events in the universe, producing both short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and kilonovae. GRBs are brief, bright flashes of gamma rays, powered by ultra-relativistic jets launched during the merger. These jets produce a prompt burst of gamma rays, followed by a broadband afterglow generated by external shocks as the outflow interacts with the surrounding medium. Kilonovae are optical-infrared transients from the radioactive decay of heavy, neutron-rich nuclei formed through the rapid neutron capture process (r-process) in the merger ejecta. Together, GRBs and kilonovae provide unique laboratories for probing fundamental physics …

Streaming Instabilities In Class 0/I Disks, Shirin Gul Zaidi

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

While it is clear that planets form in protoplanetary disks, fragmentation and the radial drift of pebbles inhibit the growth of grains to planetesimals. To overcome these barriers, effective localized dust clumping on a short enough time scale is required. One promising solution to this problem is the streaming instability. Streaming instability is only triggered with a large enough dust-to-gas ratio and grain size. Though it is unknown when and where those conditions are met in protoplanetary disks, recent studies have indicated that planetary cores likely require early formation to match detected exoplanet system masses, so that we need to …

The Search For Slow Particles And Magnetic Monopoles With Nova, John Clark

Poster Presentations

Singular magnetic poles, north or south, have been theorized to exist for hundreds of years. In the modern day, the elusive singular magnetic pole still remains undiscovered. The appearance of this particle would help confirm many Grand Unified Theories, GUTs, and revolutionize our understanding of some of the fundamental forces of the universe. Fermilab's NOvA collaboration is working on ways to screen and detect magnetic monopoles and other slow-moving particles coming from outer space alongside their main mission to study neutrinos. The aim of this work is to determine and improve the Far Detector’s efficiency at identifying slow moving particles. …

Effects Of The Gravity Gradient On The Path Of 1i/‘Oumuamua, Hannah R. Richardson

Honors Theses

In October 2017, the asteroid 1I/’Oumuamua first passed into viewing range [1]. The asteroid is notable for being the first interstellar object to enter the solar system. 1I/’Oumuamua was also unusual in its geometry; it is thought to have an aspect ratio of 6:1 and a length of approximately 400 m [2] [3]. The asteroid was observed to experience a non-Keplerian acceleration estimated to be on the order of 1⇥10−6 m s2 . Several theories have been proposed for the cause of this acceleration, all of which are non-gravitational in nature: volatile outgassing, photon pressure, and solar winds [1][4]. However, …

Statistical Study Of Solar Wind Conditions Prior To Substorm Onsets, Luke H. Francis

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Due to complex, multi-region, coupled plasma systems, auroral substorm onsets have been historically difficult to predict. The northward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field was considered the primary candidate as an external triggering mechanism for substorm onsets. However, that was later shown to be coincidental in nature. This study is motivated by recent multi-spacecraft observations that show how several magnetosheath jets at the bow shock were heavily correlated to substorm onsets, indicated by a strongly radial IMF interval. In the past, studies have looked at small samples of substorms in order to make large-scale predictions. However in this study, a …

Computational Modeling Of Astrophysical Systems, Leleya Iris Stallard

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

This research project focuses on the computational modeling of astrophysical systems using Femap with NX Nastran. The goal was to simulate and analyze the vibrational behavior and structural deformation of celestial bodies under different material compositions and collision conditions. Materials such as iron, granite, titanium, and models for white dwarf stars were used to investigate how varying physical properties affect the systems' dynamic responses. Both isotropic and anisotropic models were created to represent realistic astrophysical materials. Through static and modal analyses, the study explored how internal structure and material stiffness influence the reaction of celestial objects to applied forces and …

Scaling Laws For Diffusion In Crystallized Plasma From Molecular Dynamics, Dany Yaacoub

Theses and Dissertations

Diffusion coefficients for crystallized Coulomb plasmas are essential microphysics input for modeling white dwarf cores and neutron star crusts. Solving for diffusion coefficients require running large molecular dynamics simulations with thousands of particles over millions of timesteps. The diffusion in a crystallized plasma has been largely ignored and is often taken to be zero in stellar evolution codes. We find that not only is this incorrect, but we find that the diffusion in a crystallized plasma can be modeled completely using a universal scaling law independent of screening. Our simulations also show that the dominant mode of diffusion in a …

Three-Dimensional Spreading Of Magnetic Reconnection Between Non-Parallel Flux Ropes With A Guide Field, Regis John

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental plasma process that facilitates the rapid conversion of magnetic energy into particle acceleration, plasma flows, and heating. It plays a central role in explosive astrophysical events such as solar flares, where vast amounts of magnetic energy are released on short time scales. A key structure in many reconnection sites is the magnetic flux rope, a column of plasma carrying current threaded by helical magnetic fields, which is frequently involved in or generated by reconnection. Understanding how reconnection unfolds in such flux rope systems is critical for interpreting both space weather phenomena and laboratory plasma dynamics. …

Characterizing The Earth's Magnetosheath With In Situ Measurements, Hector A. Salinas

Physics Dissertations - Archive

Earth’s magnetosheath is a region of shocked plasma that mediates energy and momentum transfer from the solar wind to the magnetosphere. The dynamics and thus the plasma structures of this region are highly dependent on upstream solar wind conditions. As such, the region is often characterized as a turbulent environment, with the most intense periods of turbulence occurring often under quasi-parallel bow shock conditions. This magnetosheath turbulence displays as variable and large-scale fluctuations with in-situ measurements. Given that turbulence is a characteristic feature of the magnetosheath, this dissertation asks two questions: (1) How are plasma structures inside the sheath affected …

Response Of Galactic Disks To Dark Matter Halo Triaxiality, Alex J. Hutton

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In this study we examine the influence of dark matter halo triaxiality on the evolution of galactic disks. We do this by running a series of collisionless N-body models. In a first set of models we place the galactic disk within an oblate halo at various orientations and examine the resulting evolution. In our second set we construct fully self-consistent models of a stellar disk embedded within a spherical halo, with an impacting external dark matter dwarf galaxy. After evolving the simulations for a Hubble time, we examine the disk orientation and warping along with other quantities such as bar …

Precision Measurement Of The Muon’ S Anomalous Precession Frequency Using Energy Integrated Analysis In The Fermilab Muon G- 2 Experiment, Joseph Peck

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

This dissertation investigates the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, aµ, through the Fermilab Muon g -2 Experiment, which aims to measure aµ to a precision of about 140 parts-per-billion.

Muons were injected into a magnetic storage ring where their decay positrons were detected by calorimeters. The changing spin and momentum orientation leads to an oscillation in decay positron counts, known as the anomalous precession frequency ! a. Using the magnetic field and !a measurements, we can determine the value of a µ. This study focuses on the Q-Method determination of !a, which utilizes an energyintegrated reconstruction rather than high-energy …

A Multidisciplinary Approach To The Thermal And Non-Thermal Mechanisms In Galaxy Clusters, Sheng-Chieh Lin

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Galaxy clusters form at the intersections of the cosmic web and carry imprints of the structure formation history of the universe. As massive, multi-component systems, they offer unique insights into the astrophysical processes that govern both structure formation and galaxy evolution. Observable across the full electromagnetic spectrum, clusters emit photons through a variety of mechanisms, each tracing different physical processes. This dissertation investigates both the thermodynamic and non-thermal properties of the intracluster medium (ICM) to better understand the physical processes shaping observed phenomena. It comprises three main studies, each targeting a different aspect of galaxy cluster physics. In the second …

Potential Cell Preservation In Mars-Relevant Clay Minerals, Hanford Gerille Gonzales, Leena M. Cycil, Elisabeth Hausrath

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

This study investigates the potential of Fe-nontronite, a clay mineral found on Mars, to preserve biological cells and retain biosignatures such as trace metals. The research explores the preservation potential of nontronite by reacting it with cells under the following conditions: 1) reacting cells with nontronite precursors at low temperature and 2) reacting cells with the already synthesized nontronite made at high temperature. Microbial species Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter metallireducens, known for their relevance to iron-rich environments, were introduced in intact and lysed forms to assess their interactions with each condition of nontronite. Preliminary results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) …

A Systematic Study Of Planetary Envelope Growth With 3d Radiation-Hydrodynamics Simulations, Avery Bailey, James M. Stone, Jeffrey Fung

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

In the core accretion model of planet formation, envelope cooling regulates the accretion of material and ultimately sets the time-scale to form a giant planet. Given the diversity of planet-forming environments, opacity uncertainties, and the advective transport of energy by three-dimensional (3D) recycling flows, it is unclear whether one-dimensional models can adequately describe envelope structure and accretion in all regimes. Even in 3D models, it is unclear whether approximate radiative transfer methods sufficiently model envelope cooling, particularly at the planetary photosphere. To address these uncertainties, we present a suite of 3D radiation-hydrodynamics simulations employing methods that directly solve the transfer …

From Stars To Moons: Investigating Stellar Rotations, Planetary Interactions, And Exoplanetary Prospects, Rosario Cecilio-Flores-Elie

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The thesis is divided into two key sections. The first chapter presents the results of analyzing TESS light curves for 99 targets within the Carina-Near moving group. By deriving rotational periods, this analysis supports stellar age estimation, contributing to the broader efforts of the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 citizen project in determining age parameters for 89 newly identified systems, including ultracool dwarf companions. These findings enhance our understanding of stellar rotation and evolution, offering new insights into the development of secondary co-moving objects like brown dwarfs.

The second chapter investigates planet-moon interactions within our solar system by examining mass ratios, …

A Machine Learning Approach To Discovering Physical Models Of Galaxy Formation, Festa Bucinca

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Galaxies are the breathtakingly beautiful starry islands of the Universe. The process of galaxy formation involves the transformation from simple initial conditions in the early Universe to the complex galaxy structures we observe today. Spanning an immense spatial range and tremendous time scales - from the vastness of the Universe to the scale of individual stars - the physics of galaxy formation is both complex and crucial for understanding the Universe we live in. However, despite significant advancements, our theoretical understanding of galaxy formation remains incomplete.

In the era of big data available from hydrodynamical simulations and observations, Machine Learning …

Evaluating Spatial Clustering As A Lunar Crater Classification Method, Annalyse Dickinson

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Crater identification is important for investigating and determining the age of planetary surfaces. Based on the number of primary craters—which are formed from a bolide impacting a planetary surface—one can determine the surface’s absolute model age, but the secondary craters—which are formed from the many fragments ejected during a primary crater’s creation—contaminate that count. The abundant variability in crater identification methods is a prominent issue in the field of planetary science. In addition, there is no single characteristic that can set these craters apart due to the processes involved in their formation and degradation. This is why we aim to …

Phase Error Scaling Law In Two-Wavelength Adaptive Optics, Milo W. Hyde Iv, Matthew Kalensky, Michael J. Spencer

Faculty Publications

We derive a simple, physical, closed-form expression for the optical-path difference (OPD) of a two-wavelength adaptive-optics (AO) system. Starting from Hogge and Butts’ classic OPD variance integral expression, we apply Mellin transform techniques to obtain series and asymptotic solutions to the integral. For realistic two-wavelength AO systems, the former converges slowly and has limited utility. The latter, on the other hand, is a simple formula in terms of the separation between the AO sensing (i.e., the beacon) and compensation (or observation) wavelengths. We validate this formula by comparing it to the OPD variances obtained from the aforementioned series and direct …

To The Torus And Beyond: An X-Ray Study Of Agn Tori Morphology, Andrealuna Pizzetti

All Dissertations

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are among the Universe's most energetic and powerful objects, fueled by an accreting supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the host galaxy's center, surrounded by a toroidal structure of dusty gas. Ultraviolet photons arising from the accretion disk get up-scattered to X-rays via inverse Compton scattering by hot electrons close to the accretion disk. Being produced in the very center of the AGN, X-ray photons are powerful messengers that probe the physics of the accretion system and the matter in the surroundings. The torus, formerly considered homogeneous, appears to be a more complex structure of clouds with …

Poleward Moving Auroral Forms And Magnetic Reconnection, Gasia Excel, Gerard Fasel, Julia Johnson, Jordana Xu, Parker Para, Amiel Silbol, Rachel Rodriguez, John Mann

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Magnetic reconnection on the dayside magnetosphere is one of the main mechanisms for the solar wind to transfer energy and momentum to the terrestrial environment. This process is assumed to be most effective when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is southward. Poleward moving auroral forms (PMAFs) have been identified in past studies as ionospheric signatures of magnetic reconnection on the dayside. The PMAFs occurring for the positive/(negative) IMF y-component first expanded westward(dawn)/eastward(dusk) before propagating poleward. This PMAF study presents a comprehensive set of events where the initial brightening moves through a pre-existing dayside auroral arc westward(dawn)/eastward(dusk) when the IMF y-component …

Neutrino’S Non-Zero Electric Potential As An Origin Of Gravitation, Domain Structure And Expansion Of The Universe., Polievkt Perov

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works

The axial electric potentials of neutrinos as neutral composite structures, while being very small at large distances, do not vanish, and the same can be said about the neutrino “asymmetric dipoles” (paired neutrinos of not the same kind). Depending on the orientation of the “asymmetric dipole”, its far-field electric potential in some direction can be positive or negative, interacting with other “dipoles” at that large distance attractively or repulsively depending on their mutual orientation. The mutual orientation of the dipoles locally (inside a galaxy) might be such that they are aligned and experience the attractive force toward the local center …

Density And Magnetic Field Asymmetric Kelvin‐Helmholtz Instability, Xuanye Ma, Peter Delamere, Katariina Nykyri, Antonius Otto, Stefan Eriksson, Lihui Chai, Brandon Burkholder, Andrew Dimmock, Yu-Lun Liou, Shiva Kavosi

Publications

The Kelvin‐Helmholtz (KH) instability can transport mass, momentum, magnetic flux, and energy between the magnetosheath and magnetosphere, which plays an important role in the solar‐wind‐ magnetosphere coupling process for different planets. Meanwhile, strong density and magnetic field asymmetry are often present between the magnetosheath (MSH) and magnetosphere (MSP), which could affect the transport processes driven by the KH instability. Our magnetohydrodynamics simulation shows that the KH growth rate is insensitive to the density ratio between the MSP and the MSH in the compressible regime, which is different than the prediction from linear incompressible theory. When the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) …

Ratification Of The Base Of The Ics Geological Time Scale: The Global Standard Stratigraphic Age (Gssa) For The Hadean Lower Boundary, Janna Halla, Nora Noffke, Humberto Reis, Stanley Awramik, Andrey Bekker, Alexander Brasier, Flávia Callefo, Adrita Choudhury, Jan-Peter Duda, Christopher Fedo, Douglas Galante, Jessica Haddock, Peter Haines, Linda Hinnov, Axel Hofmann, Martin Homann, David Huston, Simon Johnson, Linda Kah, Martin Whitehouse, Et Al.

OES Faculty Publications

The base of the ICS (International Commission on Stratigraphy) Geological Time Scale was ratified in 2022 by defining a new Global Stratigraphic Standard Age (GSSA) for the lower boundary of the Hadean Eon (formerly 4000-3600 Ma); the age of the Solar System based on the oldest solids, calcium-aluminium inclusions (CAIs), generated in the protoplanetary disk. The formal GSSA for the Hadean base is the oldest reliable, weighted mean U-corrected Pb-Pb age of 4567.30 ± 0.16 Ma obtained for CAIs in primitive meteorites Allende and Efremovka. This age is supported by the 4568-4567 Ma U-corrected Pb-Pb ages of chondrules in Northwest …

Evolution Of Angular Momentum In Triaxial Dark Matter Halos, Tara C. Nester

Honors College Theses

Galactic halos are believed to form through both the early inflow of dark matter from the cosmic web and mergers over an extended period. At the same time, stellar disks are forming within this evolving halo. How a stellar disk responds to a changing halo is investigated in this study using live n-body disks embedded in an analytic triaxial potential. At triaxialities of a few percent, we find that while there are subtle perturbations in the disk, there is no significant change in the total disk angular momentum. However, between 5 and 10% triaxialities there is a sharp transition to …

Microstructural, Mineralogical, And Chemical Characterization Of The Handys Bend And Flax Creek Meteorites, Kentucky: Relevance For The Iron Meteorite Record, Ethan S.L. Davis

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

Iron meteorites remain the only material view into planetary cores. Despite their scientific relevance, iron meteorites are relatively rare. In June 2021 and March 2022, the Kentucky Geological Survey received requests to identify two metallic specimens discovered in central Kentucky. The specimens were given the provisional names Handys Bend (3175.2 g) and Flax Creek (286.2 g). The goal of this project is to confirm meteoritic origin, characterize their structures and chemistry, assign genetic classifications, and examine potential relations to previous discoveries. Petrography was conducted using scanning electron microscopy. Mineral phases were examined using X-Ray diffraction crystallography. Chemical compositions were determined …