Spitzer Secondary Eclipses of Qatar-1b

Previous secondary eclipse observations of the hot Jupiter Qatar-1b in the Ks band suggest that it may have an unusually high day side temperature, indicative of minimal heat redistribution. There have also been indications that the orbit may be slightly eccentric, possibly forced by another planet in the system. We investigate the day side temperature and orbital eccentricity using secondary eclipse observations with Spitzer. We observed the secondary eclipse with Spitzer/IRAC in subarray mode, in both 3.6 and 4.5 micron wavelengths. We used pixel-level decorrelation to correct for Spitzer's intra-pixel sensitivity variations and thereby obtain accurate eclipse depths and central phases. Our 3.6 micron eclipse depth is 0.149 +/- 0.051% and the 4.5 micron depth is 0.273 +/- 0.049%. Fitting a blackbody planet to our data and two recent Ks band eclipse depths indicates a brightness temperature of 1506 +/- 71K. Comparison to model atmospheres for the planet indicates that its degree of longitudinal heat redistribution is intermediate between fully uniform and day side only. The day side temperature of the planet is unlikely to be as high (1885K) as indicated by the ground-based eclipses in the Ks band, unless the planet's emergent spectrum deviates strongly from model atmosphere predictions. The average central phase for our Spitzer eclipses is 0.4984 +/- 0.0017, yielding e cos(omega) = -0.0028 +/- 0.0027. Our results are consistent with a circular orbit, and we constrain e cos(omega) much more strongly than has been possible with previous observations

Convection, Thermal Bifurcation, and the Colors of A stars

Broad-band ultraviolet photometry from the TD-1 satellite and low dispersion spectra from the short wavelength camera of IUE have been used to investigate a long-standing proposal of Bohm-Vitense that the normal main sequence A- and early-F stars may divide into two different temperature sequences: (1) a high temperature branch (and plateau) comprised of slowly rotating convective stars, and (2) a low temperature branch populated by rapidly rotating radiative stars. We find no evidence from either dataset to support such a claim, or to confirm the existence of an "A-star gap" in the B-V color range 0.22 <= B-V <= 0.28 due to the sudden onset of convection. We do observe, nonetheless, a large scatter in the 1800--2000 A colors of the A-F stars, which amounts to ~0.65 mags at a given B-V color index. The scatter is not caused by interstellar or circumstellar reddening. A convincing case can also be made against binarity and intrinsic variability due to pulsations of delta Sct origin. We find no correlation with established chromospheric and coronal proxies of convection, and thus no demonstrable link to the possible onset of convection among the A-F stars. The scatter is not instrumental. Approximately 0.4 mags of the scatter is shown to arise from individual differences in surface gravity as well as a moderate spread (factor of ~3) in heavy metal abundance and UV line blanketing. A dispersion of ~0.25 mags remains, which has no clear and obvious explanation. The most likely cause, we believe, is a residual imprecision in our correction for the spread in metal abundances. However, the existing data do not rule out possible contributions from intrinsic stellar variability or from differential UV line blanketing effects owing to a dispersion in microturbulent velocity.Comment: 40 pages, 14 figures, 1 table, AAS LaTex, to appear in The Astrophysical Journa

The evolution of ultraviolet emission lines from the circumstellar material surrounding SN 1987A

The presence of narrow high-temperature emission lines from nitrogen-rich gas close to SN 1987A has been the principal observational constraint on the evolu- tionary status of the supernova's progenitor. A new analysis of the complete five-year set of low and high resolution IUE ultraviolet spectra of SN 1987A (1987.2--1992.3) provide fluxes for the N V 1240, N IV] 1486, He II 1640, OIII] 1665, NIII] 1751, and CIII] 1908 lines with significantly reduced random and systematic errors and reveals significant short-term fluctuations in the light curves. The N V, N IV] and N III] lines turn on sequentially over 15 to 20 days and show a progression from high to low ionization potential, implying an ioni- zation gradient in the emitting region. The line emission turns on suddenly at 83+/-4 days after the explosion, as defined by N IV]. The N III] line reaches peak luminosity at 399+/-15 days. A ring radius of (6.24+/-0.20)E{17} cm and inclination of 41.0+/-3.9 is derived from these times, assuming a circular ring. The probable role of resonant scattering in the N V light curve introduces systematic errors that leads us to exclude this line from the timing analysis. A new nebular analysis yields improved CNO abundance ratios N/C=6.1+/-1.1 and N/O=1.7+/-0.5, confirming the nitrogen enrichment found in our previous paper. From the late-time behavior of the light curves we find that the emission origi- nates from progressively lower density gas. We estimate the emitting mass near maximum (roughly 400 days) to be roughly 4.7E{-2} solar masses, assuming a filling factor of unity and an electron density of 2.6E4 cm^{-3}. These results are discussed in the context of current models for the emission and hydrodynamics of the ring.Comment: 38 pages, AASTeX v.4.0, 13 Postscript figures; ApJ, in pres

Evaluation of Provider-Directed Communication Strategies Regarding Complementary and Alternative Health: An Integrative Review

Presented to the Faculty Of the University of Alaska Anchorage in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCEAim Identify health care provider-directed facilitators and barriers to successful patientprovider communication regarding complementary and alternative medicine, and synthesize the research evidence into succinct best-evidence strategies to generate optimum patient-provider dialogue. Background Complementary and alternative medicine use is prevalent among U.S. consumers. However, consumers infrequently disclose their use, and providers inconsistently inquire about it. Currently, there is little guidance for a method on facilitating communication. In addition, no studies have synthesized the variety of factors that influence communication of this topic as a means to help identify potentially effective strategies for improving it. Method. An integrative review of publications from 2000 to 2015. A five-stage methodological framework guided the data analysis. Results Thirty-two qualitative and quantitative articles and literature reviews met inclusion criteria. All data extracted and include in this review supported two key domains of understanding, representing interpersonal and organizational characteristics. Conclusion Findings indicated that successful communication about complementary and alternative medicine will not occur unless it is considered integral to the medical encounter, required by policies, and supported by appropriate resources. Implications for Advanced Practice Nurses Conversations that include complementary and alternative approaches will support the core concept of patient-centered care and ensure the greatest level of patient safety

Mg II h + k emission lines as stellar activity indicators of main sequence F-K stars

The main purpose of this study is to use the IUE spectra in the analysis of magnetic activity of main sequence F-K stars. Combining IUE observations of MgII and optical spectroscopy of Ca II, the registry of ctivity of stars can be extended in time. We retrieved all the high-resolution spectra of F, G, and K main sequence stars observed by IUE (i.e. 1623 spectra of 259 F to K dwarf stars). We obtained the continuum surface flux near the Mg II h+k lines near 2800 \AA and the MgII line-core surface flux from the IUE spectra. We obtained a relation between the mean continuum flux near the MgII lines with the colour $B-V$ of the star. For a set of 117 nearly simultaneous observations of Mg II and Ca II fluxes of 21 F5 to K3 main sequence stars, we obtained a colour dependent relation between the Mount Wilson CaII S-index and the MgII emission line-core flux. As an application of this calibration, we computed the Mount Wilson index for all the dF to dK stars which have high resolution IUE spectra. For some of the most frequently observed main sequence stars, we analysed the Mount Wilson index S from the IUE spectra, together with the ones derived from visible spectra. We confirm the cyclic chromospheric activity of epsilon Eri (HD 22049) and beta Hydri (HD 2151), and we find a magnetic cycle in alpha Cen B (HD 128621). Complete abstract in the paper.Comment: 10 pages, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Beyond the bee: art historical influences on my graduate work

ART 592, art history seminar.2008 Spring.Includes bibliographical references (page 35)

Documentation panels: Evidence of scientific literacy in a primary multi age classroom: Teaching at the edge of magic

This project is the result of a question I raised about using documentation panels in my classroom; it is teacher research. Teacher researchers participate in their own inquiries, participating as both teacher and researcher in the study. Teacher research provides practitioners a method for investigating a question or wondering that arises from the classroom. This project aims to explicate the science learning demonstrated by 5, 6, 7, and 8 year old students through the use of student created documentation panels while at the same time providing me with an insightful and critical look at my pedagogy. Within the context of my primary multi age classroom setting I investigate my use of nonfiction texts to teach emergent and early literacy skills, discuss why I encourage classroom discourse among my students, posit the need to establish criteria for completing best quality work, and argue for the inclusion of science in an integrated curriculum. I analyze the visual and conversational texts of the documentation panels for evidence of science knowledge as noted in the National Science Standards for students in Kindergarten through grade two. I create categories connecting the visual text to the Science Standards including, picture glossaries; life cycles; simples, scale, and analytic diagrams; various types of maps including bird\u27s eye view and elevations. The categories created to connect the conversational text to the Science Standards include use of content vocabulary, approximations of vocabulary, discussion of scientific concepts and processes, an analysis of student generated kinesis, and examination of the narrative stories some students tell as they talk about science. Linking the documentation panels to the National Science Standards provides evidence of science knowledge in young students in this class

Experience and the reality of illusion

2008 Fall.In my paintings I strive to reconcile ambivalent illusions in search of the reality in my own experience. My paintings are narratives about perception and how perception is the product of synchronized inner imaginings and physical experiences. Paint is the perfect medium for this investigation as it allows me to move fluidly between trompe l'oeil and abstract renderings. Both painting approaches are ambivalent in that they represent only themselves and at the same time, in my work, are symbols for something else. In my paintings, trompe l'oeil imagery symbolizes the physical experience and emphasizes how easily perception can be deceived while elements of abstraction attempt to give substance to the inner experience. In between these poles of extreme illusion and non-illusion, I explore the endless realm of referential representation. It is my intention to craft images that function, ambivalently, as both windows and mirrors. As windows, my work offers me, and hopefully others, an ulterior understanding of reality. As mirrors, I endeavor to create, for me and my audience, compositions that echo, literally and metaphorically, the hard and soft edges that also compose a thought-filled life

A Detailed Far-Ultraviolet Spectral Atlas of Main Sequence B Stars

We have constructed a detailed spectral atlas covering the wavelength region 930A to 1225A for 10 sharp-lined B0-B9 stars near the main sequence. Most of the spectra we assembled are from the archives of the FUSE satellite, but for nine stars wavelength coverage above 1188A was taken from high-resolution IUE or echelle HST/STIS spectra. To represent the tenth star at type B0.2 V we used the Copernicus atlas of tau Sco. We made extensive line identifications in the region 949A to 1225A of all atomic features having published oscillator strengths at types B0, B2, and B8. These are provided as a supplementary data product - hence the term detailed atlas. Our list of found features totals 2288, 1612, and 2469 lines, respectively. We were able to identify 92%, 98%, and 98% of these features with known atomic transitions with varying degrees of certainty in these spectra. The remaining lines do not have published oscillator strengths. Photospheric lines account for 94%, 87%, and 91%, respectively, of all our iden- tifications, with the remainder being due to interstellar (usually molecular H2) lines. We also discuss the numbers of lines with respect to the distributions of various ions for these three most studied spectral subtypes. A table is also given of 167 least blended lines that can be used as possible diagnostics of physical conditions in B star atmospheres.Comment: Accepted by ApJ Supplements, 186,175, 2010. Paper contains 42 pages, 4 figures, 5 tables. Auxiliary files contain ascii table of line IDs, 32 plots for Figs 1 and 2. FITS spectral data available upon reques