Florida Theoretical Astrophysics Seminars

These are weekly lunchtime seminars in theoretical astrophysics, held every Monday either in the Astronomy (Bryant 217) or Physics (room 2165) department from 12:40 - 1:40 pm.

leaves (windy!)

Fall 2008

August 25, 2008
Bryant 217
Ramsey Lundock (Tohoku University)

Observational Models for Extrasolar Planets
Abstract Within the 10 years, next generation telescopes such as TPF and will be capable of directly observation Extrasolar planets and collecting spectrography data from them. The theoretical framework for interpreting that data needs a strong foundation based on comparisons to the solar system planets. In this presentation I discuss preliminary observations performed at Hiroshima Observatory and plans for future Antarctic observations, which together will create a planet observation library for comparison with Extrasolar planet simulations and observations.

September 1, 2008

Labor Day


September 8, 2008
Physics  2165
Nathan De Lee (UF Astronomy)

Tracing the Galactic Halo: RR Lyrae Stars from SDSS-II
Abstract As we prepare to enter the era of large multi-epoch photometric surveys,
LSST and PAN-STARRS to name a few, it is important to lay the ground work
for many of the automatic detection and characterization techniques of
variable stars.  This talk describes the creation of a large catalog of RR
Lyrae stars, their lightcurves, and their associated photometric and
kinematic parameters.  This catalog contains 421 RR Lyrae lightcurves with
305 RRab and 116 RRc derived from the SDSS-II Supernova Survey.  Of these,
241 stars have stellar spectra taken with either the Blanco 4m RC
spectrograph or the SDSS/SEGUE survey, and in some cases taken by both. 
From these spectra, and photometric methods derived from them, an analysis
is conducted of the RR Lyrae's distribution, metallicity, kinematics, and
photometric properties within the galactic halo.

In particular, the idea of a dual halo is explored primarily in the
context of radial velocity distributions as a function of |Z| vertical
distance from the plane.  Since there are no proper motions available, the
radial velocity is used as a proxy for orbital velocity, and is ultimately
compared and contrasted with a single halo galactic model.  Also, the
variation of the Oosterhoff dichotomy, an empirical distribution in RR
Lyrae star properties, is discussed.

September 15, 2008
Bryant 217



Abstract
September 22, 2008
Physics 2165



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September 29, 2008
Bryant 217



Abstract
October 6, 2008
Bryant 217
Jos Oomens (FOM-Institute for Plasma Physics Rijnhuizen

IR Spectroscopy of Ionized Carbonaceous Compounds of Astrophysical Internest
Abstract Large carbonaceous molecules are now well-accepted to occur abundantly in inter- and circumstellar environments. However, their identification by microwave spectroscopy is often hindered by the large rotational partition functions and sample heterogeneity. Moreover, in the dilute environment of interstellar clouds, ionic and radical systems may easily survive, making their spectroscopic study in the laboratory difficult.
I will give an overview of our studies on the gas-phase IR spectroscopy (5 - 20 m) of cationic polyaromatic molecules against the background of the Unidentified Infrared emission bands (UIRs) that have been observed toward many galactic sources. Other carbonaceous species of interest include diamondoid molecules and fullerenes. Spectra are obtained through infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy using a free electron laser as source of intense and widely tunable infrared radiation.
October 13, 2008
Bryant 217
Nancy Levenson (Kentucky)


Abstract
October 20, 2008
Physics 2165
Althea Moorhead (UF Astronomy)


Abstract
October 27, 2008




Abstract
November 3, 2008

Sebastian Hidalgo (IAC)

Recovering the Ages of Stars of a Complex Stellar Population System: IAC-pop/MINNIAC and the LCID project
Abstract We present IAC-pop/MINNIAC, a code to recover the age of stars of a complex stellar population system, like a galaxy. It uses a genetic algorithm to minimize a $\chi^2$ merit function comparing the star distributions in the observed color-magnitude diagram (CMD) and the CMD of a synthetic stellar population. A parametrization of the CMDs is used, which is the main input of the code.
The computation of the synthetic CMD can be done using the code IAC-star. Since this is a quite time consuming step, a method is presented requiring computation of only a single synthetic CMD. IAC-pop/MINNIAC has been run through several consistency test and has been proved with deep ACS@HST photometry from the LCID project. We present the first results for the star formation histories of six galaxies using IAC-pop/MINNIAC code.
November 10, 2008
Bryant 217
Matt Payne (Cambridge)


Abstract
November 17, 2008

Alex Lobel (Royal Observatory of Belgium)


Abstract
November 24, 2008
Bryant 217
Tarek Saab (UF Physics)


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December 1, 2008




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December 8, 2008




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December 15, 2008

Rachel Mason (Gemini)


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Spring 2008 Schedule


Questions, queries, comments? tasker(at)astro.ufl.edu