Session 2C: The Search for Hyper-Velocity Stars
Session Number
Session 2C: 1st Presentation
Advisor(s)
Dr. William Wester III, Fermilab
Location
Academic Pit
Start Date
26-4-2018 10:35 AM
End Date
26-4-2018 11:20 AM
Abstract
A hypervelocity star is a star that travels faster than the escape velocity of the gravity well of the galaxy it originated in. To create stars that travel at these speeds, the stars need to be flung out with a great deal of velocity, typically 1,000 km/s. We wanted to use new data provided by the DES camera in Chile, to attempt to discover new hypervelocity stars. The stars trajectories help scientists refine their estimates for the mass distribution of the galaxy, allowing the location of dark matter and black holes.
In order to discover these stars, sites such as the DESDM database were used to acquire data of potential HVSs (hypervelocity stars). Once we had the observed data, we then used TopCAT as launched through Cygwin in order to analyze the various aspects of the data. Through this, we sought to better understand the motion of these stars are identify potential candidates. While we do not currently have any candidates, as we are merely a first-year SIR, we are eagerly searching through both literature and high-density HVS areas in order to find one. We are hopeful that by fall we will have at least one candidate.
Session 2C: The Search for Hyper-Velocity Stars
Academic Pit
A hypervelocity star is a star that travels faster than the escape velocity of the gravity well of the galaxy it originated in. To create stars that travel at these speeds, the stars need to be flung out with a great deal of velocity, typically 1,000 km/s. We wanted to use new data provided by the DES camera in Chile, to attempt to discover new hypervelocity stars. The stars trajectories help scientists refine their estimates for the mass distribution of the galaxy, allowing the location of dark matter and black holes.
In order to discover these stars, sites such as the DESDM database were used to acquire data of potential HVSs (hypervelocity stars). Once we had the observed data, we then used TopCAT as launched through Cygwin in order to analyze the various aspects of the data. Through this, we sought to better understand the motion of these stars are identify potential candidates. While we do not currently have any candidates, as we are merely a first-year SIR, we are eagerly searching through both literature and high-density HVS areas in order to find one. We are hopeful that by fall we will have at least one candidate.