Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Joint Spring 2013 Meeting of the Texas Sections of the APS and AAPT and Zone 13 of the SPS
Volume 58, Number 3
Thursday–Saturday, April 4–6, 2013; Stephenville, Texas
Session D1: Astrophysics and Space Physics I |
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Chair: Shaukat Goderya, Tarleton State University Room: Science Building 102 |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:00PM - 2:12PM |
D1.00001: O-C Calculations for Two New Binaries and V1097 Herculis James John Meier, Richard Olenick, Arthur Sweeney, Jeffrey Schniederjan, Matthew Heuser We report the results of time-resolved CCD photometry of two new binaries and V1097 in the constellation Hercules. Our observations were carried out using a six-inch, wide angle lens astrograph with a set focal length of 200 mm, three-degree field of view and f/1.5 stopped down to an f/2.8 in Pitkin, Colorado in the R band for 35 nights during the early summer of 2012. We exposed each image for one minute and took 300 images per night, obtaining 10,500 images in total. Using Peranso software, Lomb-Scargle period analysis was carried out for the binaries. We will present the O-C calculations for the two new binaries, GSC~2087- 0364, GSC 2083-1870 as well as for V1097 Her. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:12PM - 2:24PM |
D1.00002: Using virtual satellite passes through Earth's magnetosphere to infer properties of the ionosphere Robert Bruntz, Ramon Lopez The Sun continuously emits a solar wind, composed of charged particles embedded in a magnetic field, which flows out through the entire solar system. As the solar wind passes Earth, it interacts with Earth's magnetic field, both through a purely magnetic interaction and through a more friction-like viscous interaction. The viscous interaction is typically weaker than the purely magnetic interaction and is affected by the solar wind magnetic field in a non-linear way, making it very difficult to quantify. We are investigating a technique in which we simulate the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction using the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry (LFM) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation, then fly a ``virtual satellite'' through the region of the viscous interaction, in order to measure the interaction directly. These results can be compared to actual satellite passes that occurred during similar conditions, to ascertain their validity. Earth's magnetic field is linked directly to the ionosphere, the upper layer of the atmosphere, so the virtual satellite passes will provide information about plasma motion in the ionosphere, as well. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:24PM - 2:36PM |
D1.00003: Abell Cluster Catalog for the Purpose of Supernova Discovery James Boshart, Michael Hibbs The violent death of a star in the form of a supernova provides much scientific data. However, due to the infrequency of supernova per galaxy per year, there is little known about them. My research was focused around finding possible supernovae by taking images of Abell Clusters (large distant clusters of galaxies). By using a set of criterion that maximized our probability of finding a supernova, I have established a baseline of images by which subsequent images can be compared to so as to find any anomalies that could be a supernova. The primary goal of my research was to establish an image catalogue of various Abell Clusters with Tarleton State University's 0.8 meter reflecting telescope that can be used in subsequent research by colleagues in the future. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:36PM - 2:48PM |
D1.00004: Comparison of Neutron Star Models Using Various EOS Michael Naizer, Carlos Bertulani, William Newton Several modern equations of state (EOS) for neutron stars can be ignored because they predict a neutron star mass limit lower than observed masses. Also, some EOS mass/radius curves fall far outside the error bounds of observed values and can be ignored as well. These observational constraints narrow down the search for an accurate EOS significantly. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 2:48PM - 3:00PM |
D1.00005: The Physics of Spacecraft Propulsion Via Quark Pair Production from Parallel Electric and Magnetic Fields Gerald Cleaver Matter/antimatter (MAM)-based propulsion systems are viable options for both intrasolar system and interstellar travel. For example, the feasibility and functionality of on-board Schwinger electron-positron pair production via high power lasers has received growing interest lately. In this talk an alternate in-situ MAM production method will be discussed. Production of quark-antiquark pairs via interaction of parallel electric and magnetic fields associated with chiral symmetry breaking will be reviewed. Emphasis will be on the physics involved in the quark pair production and in the basic design of a related propulsion system. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 3:00PM - 3:12PM |
D1.00006: A Three-decade X-band VLBI Study of the Nuclei in the Lobe-dominated Quasars 3C207 and 3C263 David Hough We report X-band VLBI observations of the nuclei in the lobe-dominated quasars 3C207 and 3C263 from 1981 to 2010, mostly obtained with the NRAO VLBA. The goal is to follow flux density outbursts and to fully determine the jet morphology and kinematics on 1-100 pc scales. In 3C207, the core region has flux outbursts roughly every 7 yr, which are actually double outbursts from a stationary true core and a swinging component 0.5 mas apart. The position angle (PA) of the swinging component varies by 40 degrees, while the PAs of the jet components span 25 degrees. The jet extends to 25 mas. Average superluminal speeds are about 10c. One component shows apparent acceleration from 7c to 14c at 2-3 mas from the true core, in a jet recollimation zone that redirects the flow toward PA 90 degrees. Individual jet components expand until reaching the recollimation zone. In 3C263, some of the same phenomena are seen, including non-radial ejection of jet components, superluminal motion, and apparent acceleration, but to a lesser degree. Possible physical interpretations involving, e.g., jet precession and a binary black hole system, will be discussed. (This abstract repeats and extends results in Hough, D. 2012, BAPS, 57, 11, for which the oral presentation was cancelled.) [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, April 5, 2013 3:12PM - 3:24PM |
D1.00007: PHOEBE Modeling of Three New Binaries in Hercules Jeffrey Schniederjan, Richard Olenick, Arthur Sweeney, James Meier, Matthew Heuser We report the results of modeling of three new binaries in Hercules discovered through time-resolved photometry by the Small Telescope Exoplanet Transit Search (STExTS) project. Observations were made with a 200 mm astrograph f/1.5 stopped down to an f/2.8 in the R band over a period of seven weeks in summer 2012 in Pitkin, CO. A total of 10,500 calibrated images and PHOEBE were used to model the light curves of the newly discovered binaries GSC 2087-1870, GSC 2083-1875, and GSC 2087-0364. The binaries' parameter and classifications will be presented. [Preview Abstract] |
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