A large, homogeneous open cluster white dwarf sample

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AST-0602288Williams, KurtisDr. Williams is awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship to carry out a program of research and education at the University of Texas-Austin. Dr. Williams will develop and analyze a large sample of open cluster white dwarfs in order to meet the following research goals: (1) to compile a sample of 100 open cluster white dwarfs with progenitor masses greater than 1Msolar, (2) to determine a precise initial-final mass relation using a selected sub-sample of white dwarfs, (3) to determine the lower-mass limit of core-collapse supernova progenitors, (4) to determine the ratio of DB-to-DA (helium-rich-atmosphere to hydrogen-atmosphere) white dwarfs, and (5) to determine the cause of the observed white dwarf deficit in open clusters. These goals will be met through the obtaining of accurate proper motions of stars in open cluster fields to V22, with follow-up spectroscopy on large telescopes to identify and classify the white dwarfs and to determine precise masses and cooling times for the selected sub-sample.Dr. Williams will also participate in an existing continuing-education workshop for science teachers from across the southwestern U.S., with an emphasis on teachers from rural regions in which students are primarily from underrepresented groups and lower-class families. Dr. Williams will also maintain a weblog aimed at explaining astronomy news and research to the general public.