Here are some of the current (2008-09) research topics/projects that I am involved with which would be excellent research projects for UW undergraduate/graduate students. If you’re interested in working on any of these, or want more info, send me an email or stop by my office (B339).
Analyze spectropolarimetric observations of select classical Be stars obtained with the HPOL spectropolarimeter at the University of Wisconsin. The goal of the project is to quantify the time-scale of disk-loss and disk-regeneration in these systems.
Analyze IR spectroscopic observations of select classical Be stars obtained at the NASA IRTF, along with contemporaneously obtained optical spectroscopic observations from the Ritter Observatory. The goal of the project is to diagnose the properties of density waves which are believed to characterize these disks. Opportunities also exist to participate in on-going IRTF observing runs.
Analyze spectroscopic observations of purported classical Be star-disk systems in youthful star clusters in the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, obtained at the CTIO 4m telescope.
Analyze coronagraphic and coronagraphic imaging polarimetric observations of protoplanetary and debris disks, obtained from various ground-based observatories and the Hubble Space Telescope. The goal of the project is to spatially resolve (i.e. image) these systems and characterize the morphology of the disks.
Analyze astrometric observations of the low-mass M-Dwarf star AU Mic, using the Hubble Space Telescope Fine Guidance Sensor. The goal of the project is to detect evidence of extrasolar planet(s) in this system.
An example of how contemporaneous optical+IR spectroscopy probes different regions of a circumstellar disk, as adopted from Wisniewski et al 2007 ApJL, 656, 21, thereby enabling one to diagnose structures such as spiral density waves.
Total intensity images from two instrument position angles of the UKIRT UIST coronagraphic imaging polarimeter, as adopted from Kowalski et al (2008, Cool Stars 15 proc, in press). Evidence of the spatially resolved disk is clearly seen outside of the occulting bar (and masked central region).
HST ACS coronagraphic imagery of the AU Mic debris disk, originally presented in Graham et al (2007) ApJ, 654, 595.
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