RUI: VLBA Observations of Quasar Jets: A Large Survey and Detailed Study of Extreme Sources

AST-0305475 Piner该项目将利用甚长基线阵列（VLBA）的高分辨率数据研究类星体喷流的能量学。 这些数据已经在美国海军天文台（USNO）的档案中，或将在2003年期间加入该档案。 类星体喷流是宇宙中能量最高的天体，其动能对天体物理学具有重要意义。 几千VLBA快照图像在8和2 GHz的分析将产生统计信息的表观喷流速度，弯曲，和开放的角度，和光谱指数。 当与15 GHz（2cm）测量结果结合时，这将特别有用。 对几个已知具有极端性质的源进行更详细的VLBA观测分析，将有助于确定最快的表观射流速度，从而确定本征射流速度的下限，这对研究射流加速机制至关重要。这项工作是本科院校研究（RUI）计划的一部分。 惠蒂尔学院是一所以女性为主的西班牙裔服务机构，本科生将大量参与这项研究。 将研究融入本科文化将促进教学和学习，以及更广泛的参与，在天文学传统上代表性不足的两个群体之间。

AST-0305475PinerThis project will study the energetics of quasar jets, using high-resolution data from the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). These data are already in hand in a U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) archive, or will be added to that archive during 2003. As the most energetic objects in the universe, the kinetic energies of quasar jets are of fundamental importance to astrophysics. Analysis of several thousand VLBA snapshot images at 8 and 2 GHz will produce statistical information on apparent jet speeds, bending, and opening angles, and on spectral indices. This will be of particular use when combined with the 15GHz (2cm) survey results. Analysis of more detailed VLBA observations of several sources known to exhibit extreme properties will help to pin down the fastest apparent jet speeds, thus setting a lower limit to the intrinsic jet speed, of crucial importance for studies of the jet acceleration mechanism.This work is part of the Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) program. Whittier College is a predominantly female, Hispanic Serving Institution, and undergraduate students will be heavily involved in the research. Integrating research into the undergraduate culture will promote teaching and learning, and broader participation, amongst two groups traditionally underrepresented in astronomy.