Project Description: Starless cores are objects within molecular clouds that in the phase immediately prior to the formation of a star and planetary system. Deuterium fractionation, where the molecular D/H ratio increases with respect to the atomic ratio, is a probe of the evolutionary history of cold, dense starless cores. If two cores at similar density have different levels of deuterium fractionation, then the core with the high fraction has spent longer evolving to its present density. In this project, we shall test whether the deuterium fractions of different type of molecules (organics, dense gas tracers, and hydrocarbons) are consistent with each other by observing a sample of dense starless cores in the nearby Taurus Molecular Cloud using the Arizona Radio Observatory 12m telescope.
NASA Relevance: NASA has a long history of pursuing astrophysics and this project studies the earliest phases of star formation with a hands-on observational experience for the student.
Work Description: The intern will analyze observations from the Arizona Radio Observatory 12m telescopes of deuterated molecules to compare deuterium fractions.
Open or Reserved Project: Reserved/Open, 1 position reserved for student but mentor may be willing to work with another student if reserved student isn't selected.