In this project, the student will develop accurate models that represent the formation of hydrogen lines in the warm ionized medium found in the Galactic plane. The objective is to create synthetic spectra using these models in order to determine the specifications required for next-generation telescopes that can be used to study the warm ionized medium (WIM). Hydrogen lines from the WIM have been observed using optical instruments only from regions away from the Galactic plane due to low interstellar extinction. The faintness of the line emissions, combined with the large angular extent, make existing facilities unsuitable for studying WIM. The models we propose to develop will account for contaminating line contributions from HII regions, stars, and photodissociation regions. We will construct synthetic spectra over radio to infrared frequencies for different Galactic environments and angular resolutions. Using these spectra we will be able to determine the optimum frequency of observations, telescope beam size, as well as develop calibration strategies.
Funds are available for two undergraduate students to work on the project. I prefer undergraduate students from Physics, ECE or Aeronautic engineering with a strong interest is astrophysics to work on this project.
The start date of the project is July 29th, 2024.
Please email anish.damodaran@ucf.edu for more information.
Project Dates
Start Date: 7/29/2024 - End Date: 5/5/2025
Students Needed
Type of Project
Individual
Student Responsibilities
Time Commitment
10 to 20 hours per week hour(s)
Student Requirements
I prefer undergraduate students from Physics, ECE or Aeronautic engineering with a strong interest is astrophysics to work on this project.
Interested in Working With the Following Programs
Independent Research Credit (4912)
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Additional Notes