Department of Physics, Geology, & Engineering Technology

Title: Deciphering Magmatic History of Northwestern Colorado Quaternary Basalts by Comparison of Mineral Compositions

Authors: Iris E. Sullivan, Steven J. Ashworth, Colin D. Beckerich, Nicholas F. Meszaros, and Wade L. Aubin

Department: Physics, Geology, & Engineering Technology

Abstract: During the Quaternary Period episodic magmatism in western Colorado produced several volcanoes. To understand how magmatic processes and storage evolved we investigated lava flows at Triangle Peak (1.98Ma), Willow Peak (280ka), and Dotsero Crater (4.15ka) by observing textures and measuring mineral compositional. All lavas contain plagioclase, clinopyroxene, olivine Fe-Ti oxides. Olivine grains in Triangle Peak progressively became more iron rich toward their rim. Triangle Peak clinopyroxene are unzoned diopsidic augites. Two compositional populations of plagioclase occur in Triangle Peak lavas: low-K and high-K. Both clinopyroxene and olivine compositions are very similar in Dotsero and Triangle Peak lavas, however Dotsero contains a single population of calcium-rich plagioclase. Similar olivine and clinopyroxene compositions indicates Dotsero and Triangle Peak magmas were stored at similar temperatures prior to eruption; however, the variation in plagioclase compositions indicate Dotsero magmas were less evolved. The high-K plagioclase in Tringle Peak lavas  are potentially antecrysts that originated from a hotter, more alkaline magma that mixed into the reservoir before eruption.

Title: Effect of Precipitation on Optimal Sizing of Smart Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (SIRES)

Authors: Grace Wu and Zeel Maheshwari, PhD

Department: Physics, Geology, & Engineering Technology

Abstract: Many rural areas lack access to basic energy needs such as lighting, heating/air conditioning, cooking and domestic water. In this work, a web-based tool was developed for Smart Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (SIRES) to help stakeholders in rural areas determine the most suitable renewable energy solution for a given location based on multiple local factors. This study evaluates the SIRES-based tool across low, medium, and high precipitation conditions. At each precipitation level, one windier and one sunnier location were tested to observe how changes in weather conditions affect the optimal system configuration. Six cities with representative weather profiles were selected: Brisbane, Australia; Tofino, Canada; Aswan, Egypt; Las Vegas, Nevada; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Great Falls, Montana. The optimal solutions generated by the tool were compared across these locations. Findings show that the SIRES-based outputs are strongly location dependent, indicating the importance of considering local climate conditions when designing renewable energy systems for rural communities.

Title: Measuring Radial Velocities with the NKU 14-inch Telescope

Authors: Allison Davis, Ava Mayfield, and Dr. Nathan De Lee

Department: Physics, Geology, & Engineering Technology

Abstract: We used the NKU 14-inch telescope and an Alpy 600 spectrograph to observe a series of bright stars. Each of these stars have a series of absorption lines formed in their atmosphere that can be analyzed to determine various stellar properties. In this poster, we will discuss the observation and data reduction of our target stars. One can use the Doppler Effect to measure radial velocity, the motion directly towards and away from the observer, of a star. By comparing the measured centers of known absorption lines to their non-moving values, the radial velocity can be calculated. This radial velocity must further be corrected because the Earth is orbiting the Sun. The barycentric radial velocity correction was applied, and our final results are reported.

Title: Measuring Radial Velocities with the Northern Kentucky University 14-inch Telescope

Authors: Ava Mayfield, Allison Davis, Nathan De Lee, Ph, D

Department: Physics, Geology, & Engineering Technology

Abstract: We used the NKU 14-inch telescope and an Alpy 600 spectrograph to observe a series of bright stars. Each of these stars have a series of absorption lines formed in their atmosphere that can be analyzed to determine various stellar properties. In this poster, we will discuss the observation and data reduction of our target stars. One can use the Doppler Effect to measure the radial velocity, the motion directly towards and away from the observer, of a star. By comparing the measured centers of known absorption lines to their non-moving values, the radial velocity can be calculated. This radial velocity must further be corrected because the Earth is orbiting the Sun. This barycentric radial velocity correction was applied, and our final results are reported.