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Mona Dai
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Missouri - St. Louis
Advisor: Erika Gibb, PhD
Abstract
Methane (CH4) was detected in Comet C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) using high-dispersion infrared spectra acquired with the Cryogenic Echelle Spectrometer (CSHELL) at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility from May 3 to May 9, 2004. The R and P branch lines near the 3-micron region of the v3 ro-vibrational band were detected. The data were dark subtracted, flat fielded, cleaned for cosmic ray hits and hot pixels, and straightened using several IDL programs. The rotational temperatures for water on all dates and for methane on May 6 and May 9 were also determined. Production rates for both methane and water on six dates were obtained. An average rotational temperature of 110K with an average methane production rate of 3.44 x 1027 molecules s-1, corresponding to a native abundance of approximately 0.56%, was found. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the formation of our solar system.
Mona Dai grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and is currently a senior at Parkway South High School. She will graduate in May 2011 and has always held an interest in science. Although she is still undecided on which college she will attend, she is becoming surer on what field she will major in. This unique research opportunity has cemented her desire to pursue a degree in science. |
