Measuring interstellar temperature and ionization variations using observations of faint diffuse [OII] emission

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。星际介质（ISM）在恒星诞生和死亡的持续循环以及星系演化中起着至关重要的作用。然而，星际物质的作用，从它的性质如何受到恒星的影响，到它的性质如何反过来影响星星的形成，人们知之甚少。 Edwin Mierkiewicz博士和他的团队将进行一项[OII]观测计划，该计划将（1）提供唯一的机会，将温度变化与我们银河系温暖电离介质（WIM）中电离条件的变化明确分开，（2）确认H-α，[NII]和[SII]数据是否可以提供关于我们自己和其他星系中弥漫电离气体的可靠温度信息。 这项研究使用创新的光谱技术，以解决悬而未决的问题，加热，温度和电离变化的WIM所提出的威斯康星州H-阿尔法测绘仪（WHAM）的观测，但WHAM和其他可用的天文仪器不适合解决。除了其内在的兴趣，WIM的透彻理解是重要的，了解星际介质的组成和性质，以及电离和加热的主要来源内的磁盘和我们的银河系的晕.博士. Mierkiewicz和他的团队有在天体物理仪器和观测技术的学生培训的悠久历史.研究生和本科生将参与这项工作的所有阶段。 研究生的参与将导致博士学位。论文Mierkiewicz博士是NSF单独资助的威斯康星州大学本科生天文学研究经验（REU）项目的负责人。该计划重视参与者的多样性，并致力于让来自代表性不足的群体和小型学院的学生参与天体物理学研究。夏季REU学生将参加这项工作。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The interstellar medium (ISM) plays a vital role in the ongoing cycle of stellar birth and death, and galactic evolution. However the role of interstellar matter, from how its properties are influenced by stars to how, in turn, its properties influence star formation is poorly understood. Dr. Edwin Mierkiewicz and his team will carry out a program of [OII] observations which will (1) provide the only opportunity to separate unambiguously variations in temperature from variations in ionization conditions in the warm ionized medium (WIM) of our Galaxy and (2) confirm whether H-alpha, [NII], and [SII] data can provide reliable temperature information about diffuse ionized gas in our own and other galaxies. This research uses innovative spectroscopic techniques to address outstanding questions of heating, and of temperature and ionization variations in the WIM raised by Wisconsin H-Alpha Mapper (WHAM) observations, but which WHAM and other available astronomical instruments are not suited to address. Beyond its intrinsic interest, a thorough understanding of the WIM is important for understanding the composition and nature of the interstellar medium, and the primary sources of ionization and heating within the disk and halo of our Galaxy.Dr. Mierkiewicz and his team have a long history of student training in astrophysics instrumentation and observational techniques. Graduate and undergraduate students will participate in all phases of this work. The graduate student involvement will lead to a Ph.D. thesis. Dr. Mierkiewicz is the director of the separately NSF-funded University of Wisconsin Astronomy Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. This program values diversity among its participants and works to involve students from underrepresented groups and small colleges in astrophysics research. Summer REU students will participate in this work.