RUI: Galacitc Spiral Structure Reassessment: a precision photometry approach to complete homogeneous samples

RUI：银河螺旋结构重新评估：完成均质样品的精密光度测量方法

• 批准号: 0708950
• 负责人: Nadejda Kaltcheva
• 金额: $ 16.63万
• 依托单位: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-09-01 至 2013-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0708950&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Galacitc; Spiral; Structure; Reassessment

Understanding the formation and evolution of the Milky Way''s present spiral structure must necessarily begin with observations. However, the Galactic structure is not easy to interpret because of the multiple choices of tracer objects and varied observational approaches used in many studies. To spatially separate distant stellar structures is a complex experiment in which the quantity, quality, and completeness of the observational data and their reliable interpretation play a critical role. In this context, Dr. Kaltcheva (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) will employ a precision photometry approach, utilizing uvby-Beta photometry of two types of tracer objects, OB associations and clusters and A-F-G bright giants/supergiants, with complete homogeneous samples and careful consideration to calibration that will result in a greatly improved determination of some aspects of the Galactic spiral structure, particularly regarding the star formation processes along the spiral arms and tracing the Galactic features to large distances.While this research has a potential broad contribution to the field of astronomy, the program itself is also feasible for execution by faculty and students in a primarily undergraduate institution, where the work will take place. The individual projects in the program are designed such that small parts can be isolated as independent research tasks, which can be accomplished by students of varying skill levels in reasonable amounts of time. A primary goal is to provide students with a positive learning experience and an introduction to the process of scientific investigation. In addition, the special Stromgren-HBeta filters (to be acquired as part of this project) will also be made available to the astronomical community.

了解银河系现有螺旋结构的形成和演化必须从观测开始。 然而，由于许多研究中使用的示踪物体的多种选择和不同的观测方法，银河系的结构并不容易解释。在空间上分离遥远的恒星结构是一项复杂的实验，其中观测数据的数量、质量和完整性及其可靠的解释起着至关重要的作用。在这种情况下，Kaltcheva 博士（威斯康星大学奥什科什分校）将采用精密光度测定方法，利用 UVby​​-Beta 光度测定法对两种类型的示踪天体、OB 关联和星团以及 A-F-G 亮巨星/超巨星进行测量，并采用完全均质的样本并仔细考虑校准，这将大大改进对银河螺旋结构某些方面的确定，特别是 关于沿旋臂的恒星形成过程以及远距离追踪银河特征。虽然这项研究对天文学领域有潜在的广泛贡献，但该项目本身也可以由主要本科院校的教职员工和学生执行，该机构将在那里开展工作。 该计划中的各个项目的设计使得小部分可以被隔离为独立的研究任务，这些任务可以由不同技能水平的学生在合理的时间内完成。主要目标是为学生提供积极的学习体验并介绍科学研究的过程。此外，特殊的 Stromgren-HBeta 滤波器（将作为该项目的一部分购买）也将提供给天文学界。