Probing Galactic Structure and Evolution with Extragalactic Planetary Nebulae

AST-0607416研究机构：宾夕法尼亚州立大学PI：Robin Ciardullo标题：用河外行星状星云探测银河系结构和演化宾夕法尼亚州立大学的罗宾·恰尔杜洛将进行三个利用河外行星状星云（PNE）研究天体物理学问题的项目。这些项目包括：2）测量M31星系核球中PNe的组成，以了解其表面的低氧丰度，并确定IA型超新星在M31核球演化中的作用;（3）探讨室女座星系团内PNe的运动学，确定星系团内恒星在星系团内的相对重要性。这项工作产生的影响更广泛的主要领域涉及本科生和研究生的培训，重点是传统上代表性不足的群体的学生。河外行星状星云有如此多的用途这一事实表明，从事这个项目的学生接触到了天文学中的许多主题。 最后，还将开展公共宣传活动。

AST-0607416INSTITUTION: Pennsylvania State UniversityPI: Robin CiardulloTITLE: Probing Galactic Structure and Evolution with Extragalactic Planetary NebulaeABSTRACTDr.. Robin Ciardullo, at the Pennsylvania State University, will undertake three projects that utilize extragalactic planetary nebulae (PNe) to investigate astrophysical questions. The projects consist of: 1) the measurement of the perpendicular kinematics of PNe in near face-on spirals, to constrain galaxy disk masses; 2) the measurement of the composition of PNe in the bulge of the galaxy M31, to understand both an apparent low oxygen abundance and to determine the role of type IA supernovae in the evolution of the M31 bulge; and 3) to probe the kinematics of the Virgo cluster intra-cluster PNe, to determine the relative importance of intra-cluster stars within cluster galaxies..The major area of broader impact that results from this work involves the training of undergraduate and graduate students, with an emphasis on students from traditionally under-represented groups. The fact that extragalactic planetary nebulae have so many uses suggests that students who work on this project are exposed to a great many topics in astronomy. Finally, public outreach activities will also be undertaken.