|
Aron McCart
Missouri State University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Melissa A. Morris
Abstract
The techniques used in infrared astronomy allow the examination of dust properties in young extrasolar systems where planets are believed to be forming. In systems such as these, dust in the upper layers of the protoplanetary disk absorbs radiation from the central star, heats up, and re-emits the radiation at infrared wavelengths. The infrared spectrum of young extrasolar systems can be observed with the aim of detecting the unique, mid-infrared signal of phyllosilicates. The special properties of phyllosilicates-hydrous minerals that almost always require liquid water for their formation-may give astronomers the first clues about the existence of water in extrasolar systems. A current theoretical model shows that phyllosilicates should be detectable by instruments like NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. This paper describes the process of comparing theoretical predictions made by this model to data obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope, in order to determine whether phyllosilicates are present in the observed systems.
Aron McCart is a senior majoring in physics at Missouri State University. He was formerly a music major with no math background, which resulted in him having to take 2 years of mathematics just to be able to take his first physics class. After graduating, he plans on pursuing a career in professional science, and he would be okay if he got a job in industry with the skills he learned from science.
|
