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

要了解银河系目前螺旋结构的形成和演化，必须从观测开始开始。 然而，银河系的结构并不容易解释，因为在许多研究中使用了多种选择的示踪物体和不同的观测方法。空间分离遥远的恒星结构是一个复杂的实验，其中观测数据的数量，质量和完整性及其可靠的解释起着关键作用。在这种情况下，Kaltcheva博士（威斯康星大学奥什科什分校）将采用精确的测光方法，利用两类示踪物体的紫外-β测光，即OB星协和星团以及A-F-G亮巨星/超巨星，具有完全均匀的样品，并仔细考虑校准，这将大大改善对银河系螺旋结构某些方面的确定，特别是关于沿着旋臂的星星形成过程和追踪银河系特征到很远的距离。虽然这项研究对天文学领域有潜在的广泛贡献，但该计划本身也是可行的，由教师和学生在主要的本科院校执行，工作将在那里进行。 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。一个主要目标是为学生提供一个积极的学习经验和介绍科学调查的过程。此外，还将向天文学界提供特殊的Stromal-HBeta滤波器（将作为该项目的一部分获得）。

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.