Louisiana State University Physics & Astronomy

Observational Astronomy & Astrophysics

Hynes Research

Hynes is studying the details of black holes and neutron stars in binary systems with the Hubble Space Telescope plus the Chandra and RXTE X-ray satellites, as well as with several ground-based optical observatories. One facet of this work is to probe the instabilities in accretion onto black holes by studying fast variability and correlating variability across X-ray and optical wavelengths. Another aspect is to study multiwavelength spectral energy distributions to investigate the temperature structure of the disk and hence how it is heated.

Schaefer's work is to use the biggest stellar explosions as a tool to measure cosmologically interesting parameters. With Gamma Ray Bursts; star formation rate and the Hubble diagram 0.4<z<6. With supernovae; H₀, Ω, and Λ. With recurrent novae; determine the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae.

Landolt's research effort has been concerned with the measurement of stellar brightness and colors, i.e., stellar photometry. His main interest is the improvement and definition of photometric standard stars. These standard stars are used as calibration yardsticks when studying celestial objects, or indeed any objects projected against the celestial sphere, whose characteristics are unknown. Research projects also are under way in the areas of star clusters, variable stars, novae, supernovae, and eclipsing binaries.

Clayton's group is working on understanding the nature of dust in many astrophysical situations and how the dust affects the radiative transfer of energy in galaxies. This work on dust is being applied to many places in our Universe; including Mars, R CrB stars, and distant supernovae.

Campbell is currently investigating relationships between optical variability and the physical parameters of the relativistic radio jet. The objects of interest are radio loud AGN, especially blazars.

Cartledge is investigating interstellar elemental abundances in the Galactic disk, in order to provide a detailed baseline for the detailed study of how abundances and the gas/dust balance for each element are affected by a variety of interstellar processes. Supernovae, for example, can enrich both gas and dust phases of the ISM, and if the measurements are sufficiently refined, variations in absorption-based elemental abundances would provide a detailed empirical test for enrichment models. Accurate assessment of the abundance baselines is also basic to an understanding of dust composition.

Updated: Thu, 12-Jul-2007 3:41 PM