RUI: VLBA Observations of Quasar Jets: A Large Survey and Detailed Study of Extreme Sources

这个项目将使用甚长基线阵列（VLBA）的高分辨率数据来研究类星体喷流的能量学。这些数据已经在美国海军天文台（USNO）的档案中，或将在2003年期间添加到该档案中。作为宇宙中能量最高的天体，类星体喷流的动能对天体物理学具有重要意义。对8 GHz和2 GHz的数千张VLBA快照图像进行分析，将产生有关表观射流速度、弯曲和打开角度以及光谱指数的统计信息。当与15GHz （2cm）调查结果结合使用时，这将特别有用。对几个已知表现出极端性质的源进行更详细的VLBA观测分析，将有助于确定最快的表观射流速度，从而设定内在射流速度的下限，这对射流加速机制的研究至关重要。这项工作是本科院校研究（RUI）项目的一部分。惠蒂尔学院是一个以女性为主的西班牙裔服务机构，本科生将大量参与研究。将研究整合到本科文化中，将促进传统上在天文学中代表性不足的两个群体的教与学，以及更广泛的参与。

AST-0305475PinerThis project will study the energetics of quasar jets, using high-resolution data from the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). These data are already in hand in a U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) archive, or will be added to that archive during 2003. As the most energetic objects in the universe, the kinetic energies of quasar jets are of fundamental importance to astrophysics. Analysis of several thousand VLBA snapshot images at 8 and 2 GHz will produce statistical information on apparent jet speeds, bending, and opening angles, and on spectral indices. This will be of particular use when combined with the 15GHz (2cm) survey results. Analysis of more detailed VLBA observations of several sources known to exhibit extreme properties will help to pin down the fastest apparent jet speeds, thus setting a lower limit to the intrinsic jet speed, of crucial importance for studies of the jet acceleration mechanism.This work is part of the Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) program. Whittier College is a predominantly female, Hispanic Serving Institution, and undergraduate students will be heavily involved in the research. Integrating research into the undergraduate culture will promote teaching and learning, and broader participation, amongst two groups traditionally underrepresented in astronomy.