Developing a model pipeline for VERITAS stellar intensity interferometry

Rotation, which affects a star\u27s evolution, is a fundamental stellar parameter and is manifest for rapidly-rotating stars by significant aspherical distortion, hotter polar temperatures and cooler equators, relative to slowly-rotating stars. Long-baseline interferometry at near-infrared wavelengths has directly imaged the brightest rapidly-rotating stars, constraining their shapes and surface temperature gradients, however observations at shorter wavelengths, near 400 nanometers, are predicted to have much higher surface-brightness contrast. To accurately predict such observations, we developed a pipeline for generating simulated data for detailed planning of observations by the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) stellar intensity interferometer. This poster displays synthetic images, interferometric observables, and spectral energy distributions for four rapidly-rotating stars: Alderamin, Rasalhague, Regulus, and Vega. We found significant differences between models at 1746 nm and 400 nm; which could be tested by VERTIAS observations, at least for Regulus, later this spring

Stellar Atmosphere Models for Select VERITAS Stellar Intensity Interferometry Targets

Since 2020 the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) has observed 48 stellar targets using the technique of Stellar Intensity Interferometry (SII). Angular diameter measurements by VERITAS SII (VSII) in a waveband near 400 nm complement existing angular diameter measurements in the near-infrared. VSII observations will test fundamental predictions of stellar atmosphere models and should be more sensitive to limb darkening and gravity darkening effects than measurements in the near-IR, however, the magnitude of this difference has not been systematically explored in the literature. In order to investigate the synthetic interferometric (as well as spectroscopic) appearance of stars in the blue relative to the near-IR, we have computed grids of model atmospheres (3463 models in total) appropriate for six stars observed by VSII: four rapid rotators α Cep, α Leo, α Lyr, and η UMa, along with two slow rotators β UMa and β CMa. This paper presents synthetic spectra, model images, and visibility predictions for these stars and three others (α Aql, α Oph, and β Cas). We predict these stars will appear smaller in angular size and exhibit higher visibilities in the first lobe of the visibility curve at 400 nm relative to 1746 nm at the same spatial frequencies, consistent with our expectations. VSII baselines see only the second and higher lobes of α Lyr and α Aql due to their large angular diameters. α Aql is predicted to have a rich spectrum of visibilities in the third lobe, however, the visibilities are very low. Synthetic spectra match archival spectra around 400nm best for α Leo, α Aql, α Oph, β UMa and β CMa, while for α Cep, β Cas, and α Lyr synthetic spectra exhibit higher fluctuations in line strength than observed. A synthetic spectrum for η UMa provides a good match to the Hδ line, but not for the adjacent He I lines. In addition to resolving the discrepancies between the synthetic and archival spectra, we anticipate comparing our visibility predictions to VSII observations in the near future

Junior Recital: Alex Sifuentes, oboe

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Performance. Mr. Sifuentes studies oboe with Elizabeth Koch.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1478/thumbnail.jp

Spinning Slow and Fast: Stellar Atmosphere Models for β Ursae Majoris and α Leonis.

Angular diameter measurements by the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) Stellar Intensity Interferometer (SII) in a waveband near 400 nm complement existing angular diameter measurements in the near-infrared. VSII observations will test fundamental predictions of stellar atmosphere models and should be more sensitive to limb darkening and gravity darkening effects than measurements in the near-IR, however, the magnitude of this difference has not been systematically explored in the literature. In order to investigate the synthetic interferometric (as well as spectroscopic) appearance of stars in the blue relative to the near-IR, we have computed grids of model atmospheres appropriate for six stars observed by VSII: four rapid rotators α Cep, α Leo, α Lyr, and η UMa, along with two slow rotators β UMa and β CMa. We predict these stars will appear smaller in angular size and exhibit higher visibilities in the first lobe of the visibility curve at 400 nm relative to 1746 nm at the same spatial frequencies, consistent with our expectations. This poster focuses on two of these stars, β UMa and α Leo. Synthetic spectra match archival spectra around 400nm best for β UMa and α Leo. We will compare our interferometric predictions for the nearly spherical, slow rotator, β UMa, and the highly distorted, rapid rotator, α Leo

REWILDING CHILDREN: Creating Digital Tools for K-5 Wildlife Education

As people are moving and expanding into more rural and unoccupied areas, the number of human-wildlife interactions have increased. Public attitudes toward wildlife are essential for the safety of both, as well as maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Lack of awareness and education surrounding wildlife results in relationships with wildlife becoming disconnected, dangerous, and harmful to both native wildlife species and people. We believe through proper education, these conflicts can be mitigated and prevented. With our literature review, we learned that starting education about wildlife at an early age is important. While some resources for teachers exist, they do not allow for students to interact with the material, nor feel empowered by it. Through the interviews that we conducted, we gained a greater understanding as to which subjects should be included in our curriculum on our website, where the current gaps are in education with wildlife and related topics, and what resources would be helpful to allow students to understand this material better. We interviewed a variety of people of different backgrounds, including parents, teachers, wildlife educators, scientists, and international scholars, in order to understand what to include in our created website. With this, we hope to educate children about the natural world and how they can interact with it, as well as develop a love and respect for nature and wildlife. This knowledge will give kids a head start in the science world and help them develop skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, reasoning, critical thinking, and collaborative skills when they are at their most impressionable age. This will be helpful for wildlife, and it will be vital in furthering education and developing skills they will take into their adult life

The Neolithic Demographic Transition in Mesoamerica

The Neolithic demographic transition in Mesoamerica was a gradual process that unfolded over most of the Formative period (1800 BC-AD 200). An analysis of published records of over 6,700 pre-Hispanic burials, focusing on changing proportions of juveniles 5-19 years of age, suggests that fertility rates rose steadily during both the second and the first millennia BC. The gradual pace of the demographic transition was probably related to the low initial productivity of maize

Perspective From a Youth Environmental Activist: Why Adults Will Listen to Youth in Politics

This perspective article is divided between the account of an emerging youth political activist, Katelyn Higgins, and the subsequent collaborative research project she coordinated. After 10 years of experience in youth political action, Higgins worked with co-authors to develop a qualitative study to explore the processes underlying youth influence over local environmental policymaking. We present findings from that study to supplement her perspective. The study supported fourth and fifth grade teachers by offering a marine debris curriculum which encouraged students to share their knowledge with local community members through environmental activism events. At the first event, students aged 8–10 presented at a town hall meeting; we interviewed 16 adults in attendance. The second “event” was a series of video PSAs (Public Service Announcements) in which students from across the state of North Carolina, United States, explained the harms of marine debris. Those PSAs were emailed to local officials; we conducted follow-up interviews with two officials. Four themes emerged to characterize how adults responded to youth environmental activism: young people were inspiring; adults want to support young people; and adults view young people as able to provide leadership for local action and challenge the establishment. Youth leaders and those looking to support them should be encouraged by these results, as they suggest adults, including local public officials, consider youth voices valuable and uniquely situated to foster productive political processes for addressing marine debris. Future research should continue to explore the degree to which positive feelings expressed by adults translate to action

The Sundowner Winds Experiment (SWEX) pilot study: Understanding downslope windstorms in the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara, California

Sundowner winds are downslope gusty winds often observed on the southern slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains (SYM) in coastal Santa Barbara (SB), California. They typically peak near sunset and exhibit characteristics of downslope windstorms through the evening. They are SB\u27s most critical fire weather in all seasons and represent a major hazard for aviation. The Sundowner Winds Experiment Pilot Study was designed to evaluate vertical profiles of winds, temperature, humidity, and stability leeward of the SYM during a Sundowner event. This was accomplished by launching 3-hourly radiosondes during a significant Sundowner event on 28-29 April 2018. This study showed that winds in the lee of the SYM exhibit complex spatial and temporal patterns. Vertical profiles showed a transition from humid onshore winds from morning to mid-afternoon to very pronounced offshore winds during the evening after sunset. These winds accompanied mountain waves and a northerly nocturnal lee jet with variable temporal behavior. Around sunset, the jet was characterized by strong wind speeds enhanced by mountain-wave breaking. Winds weakened considerably at 2300 PDT 29 April but enhanced dramatically at 0200 PDT 29 April at much lower elevations. These transitions were accompanied by changes in stability profiles and in the Richardson number. A simulation with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model at 1-km grid spacing was examined to evaluate the skill of the model in capturing the observed winds and stability profiles and to assess mesoscale processes associated with this event. These results advanced understanding on Sundowner\u27s spatiotemporal characteristics and driving mechanisms

Jazz Combos

Kennesaw State University of Music presents Jazz Combos featuring 2080 Combo, Brooker Combo and Morgan Combo.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1352/thumbnail.jp

University Researcher and Law Enforcement Collaboration : Lessons From a Study of Justice-Involved Persons With Suspected Mental Illness

In 2012, heads of local law enforcement agencies in Benton County, Oregon, contacted researchers at Oregon State University to discuss a problem: a sharp rise in the amount of contact between police and suspects displaying symptoms of mental illness. This initial contact led to an ongoing collaborative examination of the nature, causes, and consequences of the rise in police contacts. In this article, the authors describe this collaboration between researchers and law enforcement officials from the perspective of both parties, situating it within the context of mental illness in the American criminal justice system. The collaborators draw on firsthand experiences and prior collaborations to discuss the benefits of, challenges in, and recommendations for university-police research collaborations. While such collaborations may pose challenges (related to relationship definition, data collection and analysis, outputs, and relationship maintenance), the potential benefits—for researchers and law enforcement agencies—are substantial.This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by The Authors and published by SAGE Publications. It can be found at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X1559939