The Structure of Galaxies and Quasars

俄亥俄州立大学的克里斯托弗·科查内克博士将继续他的变异性监测计划，利用南北半球的望远镜，对大约25个引力透镜系统进行监测。将研究三个独特的主题：(1)早期类型星系暗物质晕的结构，利用引力透镜中的时间延迟测量；(2)透镜星系中的平均恒星质量，利用透镜星系中恒星对类星体的微透镜；以及(3)类星体吸积盘的空间结构，利用引力透镜类星体的微透镜测量作为波长函数的盘大小。该项目将显著扩大吸积盘大小测量的数量和精度，从而提供严格测试吸积盘结构模型所需的数据。该项目将有助于研究生和本科生的教学和培训。结果将通过在档案期刊和网上档案馆的出版物广泛传播。通过珀金斯天文台(俄亥俄州)的地方讲座计划、国家新闻稿以及与哥伦布市大型科学博物馆科学与工业中心共同开发的中学生/教师培训计划，一般成果正被更广泛地用于教育公众。

Dr. Christopher Kochanek of the Ohio State University will continue his variability-monitoring program of approximately 25 gravitational lens systems, using telescopes in both northern and southern hemispheres. Three unique subjects will be studied: (1) The structure of dark matter halos of early-type galaxies, using measurements of time delays in gravitational lenses; (2) The mean stellar mass in lens galaxies, using the microlensing of quasars by the stars in the lens galaxy; and (3) The spatial structure of quasar accretion disks, using the microlensing of gravitationally lensed quasars to measure disk sizes as a function of wavelength. The project will significantly expand the number and accuracy of accretion disk size measurements, thereby providing the data needed to rigorously test models of accretion disk structure.The project will contribute to teaching and training of students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. The results will be broadly disseminated through publication in both archival journals and on-line archives. The general results are being used more broadly to educate the public through local lecture programs at the Perkins Observatory (in Ohio), national press releases, and a middle school student/teacher training program being developed with the Center of Science and Industry, the large science museum in Columbus.