Understanding the Physical Conditions in the Low-Ionization Line-Emitting Region in Quasars

Karen Leighly博士将进行一项全面的计划，旨在确定窄线Seyfert 1星系和类星体中低电离线发射气体的物理条件。了解低电离线发射气体是很重要的，因为它发射氢，铁和镁线，其比率用于金属丰度估计，其速度宽度用于黑洞质量估计。该研究利用了斯隆数字巡天的大型统一选择的样本，精心针对性的新观测，结合大规模光电离建模的新视角，以及最先进的光谱合成模型。Leighly博士将通过指导学生研究，指导高年级论文学生，开发新生研讨会，培养本科生使用望远镜进行天文学研究。 她将参加俄克拉荷马州大学演讲系列，在全州范围内进行公开演讲。

Dr. Karen Leighly will undertake a comprehensive program designed to determine the physical conditions in the low-ionization line-emitting gas in Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies and quasars. Understanding the low-ionization line-emitting gas is important because it emits the hydrogen, iron and magnesium lines whose ratios are used for metallicity estimates, and whose velocity widths are used for black hole mass estimates. The research leverages large uniformly-selected samples from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, carefully-targeted new observations, new perspectives combined with large-scale photoionization modeling, and a state-of-the-art spectral synthesis model.Dr. Leighly will conduct Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) activities through guided student research, mentor senior thesis students, develop freshman seminars, and train undergraduate students in astronomical research using telescopes. She will participate in the Oklahoma University speaker series, giving public lectures throughout the state.