This dissertation describes work performed at the Palomar Testbed
Interferometer (PTI) during 1998-2002. Using PTI, we developed a
method to measure stellar angular diameters in the 1-3
milli-arcsecond range with a precision of better than 5%. Such
diameter measurements were used to measure the mass-radius
relations of several lower main sequence stars and hence verify
model predictions for these stars. In addition, by measuring the
changes in Cepheid angular diameters during the pulsational cycle
and applying a Baade-Wesselink analysis we are able to derive the
distances to two galactic Cepheids (h Aql & z Gem) with a
precision of 10%; such distance determinations provide an
independent calibration of the Cepheid period-luminosity relations
that underpin current estimates of cosmic distance scales.Second,
we used PTI and the adaptive optics facility at the Keck Telescope
on Mauna Kea to resolve the low mass binary systems BY Dra and GJ
569B, resulting in dynamical mass determinations for these systems.
GJ 569B most likely contains at least one sub-stellar component,
and as such represents the first dynamical mass determination of a
brown dwarf.Finally, a new observing technique, dual star phase
referencing, was developed and demonstrated at PTI. Phase
referencing allows interferometric observations of stars previously
too faint to observe, and is a prerequisite for large-scale
interferometric astrometry programs such as the one planned for the
Keck Interferometer; interferometric astrometry is a promising
technique for the study of extra-solar planetary systems,
particularly ones with long-period planets.
General
Imprint: |
Dissertation.Com. - Do Not Use
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
October 2003 |
First published: |
October 2003 |
Authors: |
Benjamin F. Lane
|
Dimensions: |
250 x 188 x 12mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback - Trade
|
Pages: |
172 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-58112-200-8 |
Categories: |
Books >
Science & Mathematics >
Science: general issues >
General
|
LSN: |
1-58112-200-4 |
Barcode: |
9781581122008 |
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