|
Emily Sudholt
Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Missouri - St. Louis
Advisor: Erika Gibb, PhD
Abstract
Water and organic molecules are essential components in the manifestation of life on Earth. However, the arrival of these molecules is not yet fully explained by models of solar system formation. Comets provide an inimitable account of conditions in the solar nebula and incidentally make up the largest body of water in the solar system. A study of deuterated species present in comets may help describe both the solar nebula and the mechanism by which water and other prebiotic materials were delivered to Earth. There is some argument as to whether or not comets made a significant contribution to Earth's oceans, but there is not yet enough data to reasonably argue either side. The D/H ratio found for Halley was well outside the range of ocean water, but the results for Lulin and other comets are painting a picture of diversity among relative abundances in comets. The current focus is to collect data on as many comets as possible. This will eventually develop a statistical sample that can be analyzed in the context of solar system formation.
Emily Sudholt has lived the majority of her life in little towns across Missouri. She graduated from Macon High School in May of 2000. After a short career as a cook, Emily graduated from Moberly Area Community College with an Associate of Arts in December of 2007. Now a Junior in the Department of Physics and Astronomy UM-St. Louis, Emily plans to continue toward a PhD in Physics. Recently Emily was afforded the opportunity to participate in data collection at the Keck observatory in Hawaii. That experience has all but cemented her desire to be a teacher and do research full-time.
|
