2015 BFY II Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: |
Stellar Photometry in the physics lab room |
| Abstract: |
The focus of our workshop will be in reusing standard modern physics equipment with the intent of showing its application to astrophysics. Most every physics department offers a modern physics lab, which includes experiments in such topics as quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. The equipment for such classical experiments is quite standard. What is not standard across many physics departments, is the use of such equipment to conduct meaningful experiments in an astrophysics lab course. Such labs attract a large portion of STEM and non-STEM majors alike. Given this popularity, and the likelihood for such courses to be taught as an elective in a physics department or high school, it becomes essential to recycle equipment from mandatory courses, such as a modern physics course.
The workshop will include photometric reductions of celestial objects. The presented photometric experiments will begin with traditional radiometry, including its fundamental applications with a Geiger counter and Gamma button source, or light source and a Photodiode detector. Special attention will be paid to astronomical procedures and data processing (e.g., dark current and bias subtraction, etc.) as they apply to the equipment at hand. After finishing the traditional experiment, we will proceed with applications of photon statistics with regards to image processing and CCDs. We will make heavy use of Aperture Photometry Tool software, supported by NASA and JPL. |
| Abstract Type: |
Poster
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Author/Organizer Information |
| Primary Contact: |
Shawn Langan
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
855 North 16th Street
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Lincoln, NE 68588-0299
Phone: 402-472-2199
Fax: 402-472-6148
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Co-Author(s)
and Co-Presenter(s) |
Zachary Smith
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Presentation Documents |
| Contributed Poster: |
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