Student Quasar Research 20072008

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Student Quasar Research 2007-2008

• A National Science Foundation
• Cyber-Infrastructure Team Project
• Adler Planetarium with Northwestern University,
  the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Western Kentucky
  University and Hands on Universe
• Presented by Kate Meredith
• Astronomy Educator

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Student Quasar ResearchProject Goals

• Engage students in authentic research experiences
  using current astronomical data
• Make available the support needed for students
  and teachers to understand the topic and analyze
  their results
• Provide a centralized and convenient platform for
  mentors, teachers and students to interact with
  each other and the research data

07/12/99
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Northwestern University
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Students Learn About Quasars

• Quasars look like stars
• Quasars have spectra that are not star-like

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Spectra Examples from SDSS
Quasar Spectrum
Normal Star Spectrum
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• Quasars are the most powerful and most distant of
  a class of galaxies that have active nuclei AGN
• Evidence points toward a Unified Model of AGN
  structure
• AGN are probably powered by supermassive
  blackholes

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Students Choose a Quasar from the SDSS Database
to Study
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• Students search the SDSS data-base using a query
  language called SQL
• The Search Form helps students create these
  queries

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Students Request Additional Images of Their
Target from Remote Telescopes

• Using image processing tools they measure the
  brightness of the quasar over time

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The Final Product is a Light Curve
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Research Template
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Any Document Can Be Turned into Stationery
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Student Research Journal
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Table Component
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Comment Alerts
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Comments
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Image Request
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Returned Images are Analyzed On Line
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Final Reporting and Feedback

• Student use a document stationery to create a
  catalog entry
• SDSS object information
• Summary of spectral features
• Finished light curve
• Spreadsheet that includes the data analysis
• Summary of chi-square statistics
• Interpretation of findings Did this quasar vary
  significantly over time as compared with
  surrounding stars?
• Space for mentor approval