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Overview
Overview
SUNY New Paltz Research in Physics & Astronomy
Mentor: Dr. Amy Bartholomew, Chair of Physics & Astronomy SUNY New Paltz
Topics: Planetary spectra, observational astronomy, Solar System, spectroscopy, observations
Learning Outcomes centered on gaining observational experience and recognize the effects of telluric contamination on data I collected.
Process Summary
Process Summary
Spectroscopic Data Collection
Spectroscopic Data Collection
Learning the operation mechanisms of an observatory intimately is useful in assessing the mechanical features and instrumentational components of astronomy research. During this project, I taught myself how to utilize the 14" Celestron to perform spectroscopic analysis with the campus CCD and diffraction grating. This also involved problem solving with overexposing/saturating the chip when performing the collection process as well as timing with the weather, public nights, and when the planets were visible. Eventually, I was able to collect a full spectrum and analysis of Mars as well as some progress on Venus and Saturn.
The research incorporated primarily observational astronomy data collection (observation timing and telescope, CCD, and diffraction grating usage) as well as components of data analysis.
The spectrum of Mars is given in pixel distance and gray value for a three-second exposure. This was taken from the final median combined, dark subtracted, and aligned FITS files corresponding to the exposure length.
Demonstrating the blurring of the spectrum, and repeated faint spectrum, due to the lack of precision of the equipment and lack of telluric corrections, this is a look at the entire spectrum captured by the CCD.
Results
Results
Compared to the spectra sourced from Tinetti, G. et al. (2013) there are clear similarities between the spectra. Atmospheric absorption lines from Venus (top), Earth (middle), and Mars (bottom). However, this project was mostly intended for me to gain the observational experience of collecting the data and recognizing the amount of contamination that needs to be accounted for. The next steps in this project would be the telluric corrections of the above data collected. This was an ideal transition into my summer research that summer, based on telluric corrections. See more on that project below.
Tinetti, G. & Encrenaz, Thérèse & Coustenis, Athena. (2013). Spectroscopy of planetary atmospheres in our Galaxy. The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review. 21. 10.1007/s00159-013-0063-6.
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