High Signal-to-Noise CCD Spectroscopy of Interstellar Absorption Lines

小行星9315728 Meyer博士将在NSF支持的国家光学天文台利用最新一代的电荷耦合器件（CCD）来推动星际吸收线研究的灵敏度。 本研究的主要目的是：（1）测量几种星际云中锂的同位素比，并确定太阳附近是否存在一个全球值：（2）更好地了解弥漫云中NH的表观过剩;（3）研究低柱密度的含金属高速云在银河系晕中普遍存在的可能性。 正在开发的技术将适用于未来的研究，涉及类星体吸收线和大型地面望远镜将在本十年上线。

9315728 Meyer Dr. Meyer will utilize the latest generation of charge-coupled-devices (CCDs) at the NSF supported National Optical Astronomy Observatories to push the sensitivity of interstellar absorption line studies. The principal goals in this research are to: (1) measure an isotope ratio of lithium in several interstellar clouds and determine if there is a global value for the solar neighborhood; (2) obtain a better understanding of the apparent NH overabundance in diffuse clouds; and (3) investigate the possibility that metal-bearing high velocity clouds of low column density could be common throughout the halo of our Galaxy. The techniques being developed will be applicable to future studies involving quasar absorption lines and the large ground-based telescopes coming on line this decade.