[Virginia Tech Department of Physics]

Some Results from the Spring 2006 Semester of PHYS 3154 Observational Astrophysics

Images

The following images were taken by students in PHYS 3154 Observational Astrophysics during the Spring semester of 2005 using the 0.4m telescope.

NGC 4565
NGC 4565
An image of NGC 4565 made by Kristen Hendershot, Phoebe Chong, Aaron Burger, and Reza Montazami, from 15 6-minute exposures with no filter and taken using the autoguider and 1x1 binning. North is down, east is to the right.

SN2005cs
M51 showing SN2005cs
This supernova, 2005cs, was observed by Nicole Spencer, Steven Nelson, and Zach Hannis. North is down and east is to the right. SN2005cs is pointed out by the red lines.

0.4m0.4m
Two views of the 0.4m Telescope
These are the last images of the 0.4m Telescope before it will be replaced by new optics for the 2007 semester. The student is Aaron Burger.
Spectrum of Regulus
Spectrum of Regulus
This plot shows the spectrum of the star Regulus, as obtained by Lee Lackey, Kristen Hendershot, Reza Montazami, and Phoebe Chong, using a diffraction grating inserted ahead of the CCD camera. Three of the Balmer absorption lines are pointed out in this spectrum.

Reports

Students reported observations of the locations of asteroids to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Minor Planet Center. We reported positions of 1547 Nele, 912 Maritima, and 11405 1999 CV3.

Collaborations

Students collaborated with astronomers in France and Spain on continuing observations of the variable star BL Cam.

Presentations

At the end of the semester each student gave an oral presentation on a project they worked on during the semester. The presentations are listed below.
  1. Nicole Spencer "Discovering Supernovae and Identifying UFO's"
  2. Zach Hannis "Imaging M42 Using Techniques to Improve the Quality of the Final Image"
  3. Kristin Hendershot "Observing NGC 4565"
  4. Aaron Burger "Spectroscopy"
  5. Lee Lackey "Calculation of Red Shift of a Distant Quasar"
  6. Steven Nelson "Discovering Asteroids at the Opposition Point"
  7. Phoebe Chong "Astrometry of Asteroids 1547 Nele, 912 Maritima, and 11405 1999 CV3"
  8. Reza Montazami "Importance of Signal to Noise Ratio in Astronomy"
To PHYS 3154 webpage