| The Astrophysics Laboratory at UAB has facilities for a wide variety
of spectroscopic analyses. We use those facilities to create analogs of
astrophysical materials as a means for understanding the physical and
chemical processes that occur in the clouds of gas and dust between the
stars as well as the planets and other bodies that make up the Solar
System. In this project, the student will create analogs for
interstellar and planetary ices and subject them to UV light from a
hydrogen lamp in order to drive photochemistry that simulates exposure
to UV from stars and the Sun. The resulting samples will be analyzed by
IR spectroscopy for comparison to telescopic observations. The aim of
this research will be to create laboratory spectra of known samples that
will shed light on the composition and physical conditions of
interstellar dust clouds and the surfaces of icy planets and moons of
the Solar System. The undergraduate will learn the techniques of
infrared spectroscopy, astrochemistry, as well as building and
maintaining high-vacuum systems in the laboratory. REU students Kyle
Harman and Amanda Cook have carried out this project in the last two
years (2001-2). Amanda is presenting a poster about her work at the 2002
Division for Planetary Sciences conference (Oct 2002) [15]. Kyle was a
co-author on a presentation made at the 2001 DPS conference (Nov 2001)
[16]. |
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