RUI: Helium Abundance Determinations from a Detailed Analysis of Data From the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

这个本科院校研究项目的目标是收集一组星系光谱数据，以更好地确定氦相对于氢的原始丰度。改进的氦丰度校准将对早期宇宙中轻元素形成的模型施加重大限制。这项工作的更广泛影响包括培养STEM本科生的科学研究能力。活动将包括学生夏季研讨会，将与其他STEM学生和家长交流。该计划将利用来自斯隆数字巡天的低金属丰度HII星系的光谱，以及一个集成的、自一致的HII区域发射模型。该项目旨在减少不确定性，并提高相对于目前对原始氦丰度的估计的准确性。

The goal of this RUI (Research at Undergraduate Institutions) project is to assemble a data set of galaxy spectra to better determine the primordial abundance of helium relative to hydrogen. The improved calibration of the helium abundance will place significant constraints on models for the creation of the light elements in the early universe. Broader impacts of the work include training of STEM undergraduate students in scientific research. Activities will include student summer seminar talks that will reach other STEM students, and parents. The program will utilize spectra of low metallicity HII galaxies from the Sloan digital Sky Survey, together with an integrated, self-consistent model for HII region emission. The project aims to reduce uncertainties and improve accuracy relative to current estimates of the primordial helium abundance.