SMARTS Observations of Optical and Infrared Counterparts of High Energy Transients

拜林博士和他的合作者将对两种不同寻常的天体进行观测。第一种是软x射线瞬变——这些系统由黑洞或中子星从类太阳伴星吸积物质组成。这种吸积是断断续续的，x射线的短暂强烈爆发与长时间的静止行为交替发生。通过结合对静止和爆发的观察，拜林博士将创建一个详细的模型，描述这些重要的源以及发生在其中的奇特物理效应。第二类要研究的天体是伽马射线暴的余辉。这些剧烈的爆炸可以在宇宙的大部分地方看到，我们对它们的理解仍在以基本的方式发展。这两种物体都以高能光子的形式释放出大部分能量——x射线和伽马射线。然而，系统的关键部件也会发射光学和红外辐射。通过与高能辐射一起研究这种辐射，可以对这些系统有更全面的了解。该项目是中小口径研究望远镜系统（SMARTS）的重点项目之一，Bailyn博士是SMARTS的首席科学家。SMARTS在南半球提供设备精良的一米级望远镜，通过向国家光学天文台提出的建议，所有美国天文学家都可以使用这些望远镜。在2006年，SMARTS进行了100多个不同的项目。虽然该项目不包括SMARTS本身的资金，但通过该奖项支持的一些人员，包括Bailyn博士，也将更广泛地支持SMARTS。这些项目有望成为本科研究项目的理想基础，该项目将为学生提供许多开展一线研究和使用研究望远镜进行观测的机会。Bailyn博士还将继续努力向公众展示这项研究，并将其纳入他的本科课程。

Dr. Bailyn and collaborators will carry out an observational program of two remarkable classes of celestial objects. The first are the Soft X-ray Transients - these systems consist of a black hole or neutron star accreting matter from a Sun-like companion star. The accretion is episodic, with short intense outbursts of X-rays alternating with long stretches of quiescent behavior. By combining observations of quiescence and of the outbursts, Dr. Bailyn will create a detailed model of these important sources and the exotic physical effects that take place in them. The second class of objects to be studied is the afterglows from Gamma-Ray Bursts. These violent explosions can be seen across much of the Universe and our understanding of them is still evolving in basic ways.Both of these kinds of objects emit the bulk of their energy in the form of high energy photons - X-rays and Gamma-rays. However, crucial components of the systems also emit optical and infrared radiation. By studying this radiation alongside the high energy emissions, a much more complete understanding of these systems can be obtained.This project is one of the key programs in the Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System (SMARTS), and Dr. Bailyn is the SMARTS Principal Scientist. SMARTS provides well-instrumented one-meter-class telescopes in the southern hemisphere that are available to all US astronomers through proposals to the National Optical Astronomy Observatory. Over 100 different projects were carried out at SMARTS during 2006. While this project does not include funding for SMARTS as such, some of the personnel supported through this award, including Dr. Bailyn, will also support SMARTS more generally. These projects are expected to form the ideal basis for undergraduate research projects, and this program will provide many opportunities for students to carry out front-line research, and to travel to observe at research telescopes. Dr. Bailyn will also continue ongoing efforts to present this research to the public, and to incorporate it in his undergraduate classes.