Shadow the Scientists (StS) offers free online public experiential learning sessions for students at all academic levels, educators, and other enthusiasts several times a month. During these sessions, the participants eavesdrop via Zoom on scientists while they are actively conducting research or related activities. We also offer dedicated sessions that can be tailored for a specific group in which participants have more opportunities for direct engagement with the scientists.
The observing team will be using the Gemini North telescope located near the summit of Maunakea on the island of Hawai`i, with the observations taking place remotely from the control room in the Hilo Base Facility.
As opposed to “classical” observing nights that have been featured in most of the previous StS sessions, Gemini Observatory utilizes queue observing mode in which Gemini staff take observations on behalf of science teams from all over the world. Gemini staff determine the conditions on the ground and in the sky and the scientific priorities and choose from a pool of scientific programs to observe. This means anything could be observed on any night!
The instruments available to the science team during this session include the the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS), the Gemini Near InfraRed Spectrograph (GNIRS), and MAROON-X which is an instrument built by a team at the University of Chicago that is capable of detecting Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of low mass nearby stars. Observations in the infrared can be assisted by our ALTtitude conjugate Adaptive optics for the InfraRed (ALTAIR) adaptive optics system, which reduces the blur due to turbulence in the atmosphere. We will also be joined by two special guests from the Gemini North staff who will showcase the next exciting instrument that will be available to the Gemini North community early next year: the second generation of the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph (IGRINS-2).
Targets for this session could range from asteroids in our solar system, massive stars, and distant galaxies to supernovae and even gamma-ray bursts.
Come along for this cosmic adventure as we explore the universe and share its wonders!
Credit: NASA, ESA, and P. van Dokkum (Yale University)
A Detailed 3D Spectroscopic Study of Enigmatic Ultra Diffuse Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies
Raja GuhaThakurta (UC Santa Cruz), Eric Peng (NOIRLab), and Elisa Toloba (Univ. of the Pacific), members of the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey (NGVS) research collaboration, will be using the Keck II 10-meter telescope and KCWI+KCRM instrument to study the stellar dynamics (motion of stars) and chemical composition of an unusual class of galaxies known as ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in the Virgo cluster of galaxies, located at a distance of about 50 million light years from us.
The defining characteristic of UDGs is that they have an unusually large physical size (radius) relative to other galaxies of comparable luminosity. They appear to be found preferentially in regions of high galaxy density such as galaxy clusters. The KCWI+KCRM instrument is a pair of integral field units (IFUs). IFUs allow astronomers to obtain three-dimensional data cubes – i.e., a 1D spectrum at each (x,y) or (RA, DEC) position in the sky.
Credit: NASA, ESA, and P. van Dokkum (Yale University)
A Detailed 3D Spectroscopic Study of Enigmatic Ultra Diffuse Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies
Raja GuhaThakurta (UC Santa Cruz), Eric Peng (NOIRLab), and Elisa Toloba (Univ. of the Pacific), members of the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey (NGVS) research collaboration, will be using the Keck II 10-meter telescope and KCWI+KCRM instrument to study the stellar dynamics (motion of stars) and chemical composition of an unusual class of galaxies known as ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in the Virgo cluster of galaxies, located at a distance of about 50 million light years from us.
The defining characteristic of UDGs is that they have an unusually large physical size (radius) relative to other galaxies of comparable luminosity. They appear to be found preferentially in regions of high galaxy density such as galaxy clusters. The KCWI+KCRM instrument is a pair of integral field units (IFUs). IFUs allow astronomers to obtain three-dimensional data cubes – i.e., a 1D spectrum at each (x,y) or (RA, DEC) position in the sky.
StS terms and conditions of engagement:
Please read the following as it gives some insight into how the evening will be structured.
Please treat others on the Zoom call with utmost respect at all times. There is a zero tolerance policy for violations. Violators will be removed from the Zoom call and future StS sessions.
Please keep in mind at all times that the primary purpose of the StS session is for the research team (e.g., team of astronomers) to collect scientific data. Please be respectful of their time and concentration.
For the adults joining us, please try to have your Zoom name reflect your full name and school/group affiliation [e.g., Raja GuhaThakurta (UCSC)]. For minors, because this event is open to the public, please feel free to use nicknames unless you have permission from parents or guardians to use your full name.
After joining the Zoom session, you will be muted, but please feel free to type a short introduction about yourself into the chat.
Until the scientists have some down time and can directly interface with the rest of the group on the Zoom call, please feel free to type questions and comments in the chat. Once the scientists are speaking with the group, please use the “raise hand” feature in Zoom, if youʻd like to speak.
Please be aware that the StS Zoom call will be recorded, including the chat window, and both may be posted to YouTube in whole or in part for others to view. By joining the Zoom call, you are consenting to being recorded and for the recording to be posted.
Please be cognizant of your video feed. Because the focus is on the science being done, please feel free to keep your video off during the Zoom call..
