Low Mass Stellar Luminosity and Mass Functions

单位：华盛顿大学，pi: Suzanne HawleyCo-PI: Ian N ReidTITLE：低质量恒星光度和质量函数华盛顿大学的苏珊娜·霍利（Suzanne Hawley）和太空望远镜科学研究所的伊恩·n·里德（Ian N. Reid）博士将承担一个项目，以确定低质量恒星的光度和质量函数。为了实现这一目标，几次现代大规模巡天的光度测量将结合起来，为低质量恒星（约300万颗恒星）提供最大的光学和红外光度测量。该样品将允许对亮度和质量函数进行调查，目前尚未达到统计意义。本研究的目的是对恒星的形成过程、星系盘内恒星的形成历史和初始质量函数、银河系的形成与演化以及外部星系的质量与光比进行约束。这项工作将构成博士论文的核心部分。此外，将开发适用于国家虚拟天文台（NVO）的新软件工具，并将免费提供。一项关于星系结构和恒星数量的练习，以及对样本中约300万颗恒星的模拟飞越，将被纳入华盛顿大学（UW）的普通本科教学课程。最后，研究项目和夏季支持将提供给对数学和科学感兴趣的西华大学新生，以及传统上在天文学方面代表性不足的学生。

AST-0607644INSTITUTION: University of WashingtonPI: Suzanne HawleyCo-PI: Ian N ReidTITLE: Low Mass Stellar Luminosity and Mass FunctionsABSTRACTDr. Suzanne Hawley at the University of Washington, and Dr. Ian N. Reid, at the Space Telescope Science Institute, will undertake a project to determine the luminosity and mass functions for low-mass stars. To accomplish this goal, photometry from several modern, large-scale surveys will be combined to produce the largest of combined optical and infrared photometry for low-mass stars (~3 million stars). The sample will allow for an investigation of the luminosity and mass functions with as of now unattained statistical significance. The purpose of the study is to place constraints on star formation processes, the star formation history and the initial mass function in the disk of the Galaxy, Galactic formation and evolution, and the mass to light ratio of external galaxies.This work will form the core component of a PhD thesis. Additionally, new software tools will be developed that are applicable to the National Virtual Observatory (NVO), and they will be made freely available. An exercise on galactic structure and star counts, as well as simulated fly-by's of the ~3 million stars in the sample, will be incorporated into the general undergraduate teaching curriculum at the University of Washington (UW). Finally, research projects and summer support will be provided for students in a program designed for entering UW freshmen who are interested in math and science, and who are traditionally underrepresented in astronomy.