RUI: Proto-Planetary Nebulae - High-Resolution Studies with Enlarged Sample

RUI：原行星状星云 - 放大样本的高分辨率研究

• 批准号: 0407087
• 负责人: Bruce Hrivnak
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Valparaiso University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-06-01 至 2009-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0407087&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Proto; Planetary; Nebulae; Resolution

The goal of this program is to better understand proto-planetary nebulae, objects in transition as evolved stars from the asymptotic giant branch to the planetary nebula phase, by determining their physical properties. These objects represent an important but poorly understood phase in the evolutionary cycle of stars. The project is enlarging the sample of confirmed proto-planetary nebulae, to carry out high-resolution spectral and spatial observations of them, especially using molecular hydrogen emission, to investigate their properties. The results of a unique, decade-long NSF-supported study of pulsational variability in these objects, a study being continued and extended, are being analyzed and prepared for publication. The program here involves the following: (1) an analysis of an enlarged sample of proto-planetary nebulae candidates chosen with different properties from most of those studied thus far; (2) high-resolution spectroscopy of molecules to study the chemistry and dynamics of the circumstellar envelopes; (3) high-resolution infrared imaging of proto-planetary nebulae to study the dust directly from its thermal emission; (4) a high- resolution chemical abundance study of the central stars to investigate the effects of nucleosynthesis on the asymptotic giant branch; and (5) analysis and continuation of the unique light variability study of proto-planetary nebulae being carried out at Valparaiso University. A significant amount of the observational data is already in hand. Additional data will be acquired with telescopes and instruments at the national astronomical observatories.Broader Impacts: This activity has a very positive impact on the training of science students, the education of liberal arts students, and on the infrastructure for science at Valparaiso University. Three students each year serve as research assistants on the project. They are trained in the use of modern astronomical equipment, taught to carry out the observations and reduce the data, and learn how to analyze the data and prepare the results for dissemination. They experience almost all phases of a research program and present their results at conferences. Women and minorities are actively sought as participants, and the project director has a strong record of having women students participate in his research. The excitement of this research project is integrated into the general education astronomy classes and some of the real data used in laboratory research experience. The research infrastructure at Valparaiso University, an undergraduate institution, is enhanced by the continued vitality of the astronomy program that this project provides. The program provides a more modern CCD detector and new computers for data

这个项目的目标是通过确定原行星状星云的物理特性，更好地理解原行星状星云，即从渐近巨星分支进化到行星状星云阶段的过渡天体。这些天体代表了恒星演化周期中一个重要但鲜为人知的阶段。该项目正在扩大已确认的原行星状星云的样本，对它们进行高分辨率的光谱和空间观测，特别是利用分子氢发射来研究它们的性质。美国国家科学基金会（nsf）支持了一项独特的、长达十年的研究，研究这些天体的脉动变异性，这项研究正在继续和扩展，正在分析和准备发表。这里的程序包括以下内容：(1)分析一个扩大的原行星状星云候选样本，这些候选星云与迄今为止研究过的大多数候选星云具有不同的性质；(2)高分辨率分子光谱学，用于研究星周包膜的化学和动力学；(3)对原行星状星云进行高分辨率红外成像，直接从其热发射来研究尘埃；(4)对中心恒星进行高分辨率化学丰度研究，探讨核合成对渐近巨支的影响；(5)瓦尔帕莱索大学开展的原行星状星云独特的光变异性研究的分析和延续。大量的观测数据已经到手了。其他数据将通过国家天文台的望远镜和仪器获得。更广泛的影响：这项活动对科学学生的培训、文科学生的教育以及瓦尔帕莱索大学的科学基础设施产生了非常积极的影响。每年有三名学生担任该项目的研究助理。他们接受了使用现代天文设备的培训，学会了进行观测和整理数据，并学会了如何分析数据和准备发布结果。他们经历了研究项目的几乎所有阶段，并在会议上展示他们的成果。该项目积极寻求女性和少数族裔作为参与者，项目主任在让女性学生参与他的研究方面有着良好的记录。本研究项目的兴奋之处在于将天文学的通识教育课程和一些实际数据应用于实验室研究经验中。瓦尔帕莱索大学是一所本科院校，该项目提供的天文学项目的持续活力增强了瓦尔帕莱索大学的研究基础设施。该程序提供了一个更现代的CCD检测器和新的数据计算机