Student Theses

BenjaminDerieg, "A Census of Dust and Gas Properties in Early-type Galaxies using the ALMA Archive" (Senior Thesis, 2024). Full Text PDF
KaelynClement, "Photometry of Three Variable Stars Classified as Pulsators by the ATLAS Survey" (Senior Thesis, 2024). Full Text PDF
TimMorrell, "Detecting Stellar Radial Velocity through Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Data" (Senior Thesis, 2024). Full Text PDF
DenzilWatts, "Color Index Analysis and Temperature Calibration of the High Amplitude δ Scuti V2455 Cygni" (Senior Thesis, 2024). Full Text PDF
Benjamin C NProudfoot, "Understanding the Origin, Evolution, and Dynamics of Transneptunian Binaries" (PhD Dissertation, 2023). Full Text PDF
McKennaMyckowiak, "Follow-Up Observations of Faint Short-Period Variable Stars" (Senior Thesis, 2023). Full Text PDF
ChristianaSuggs, "High Time Density Light Curves of Six Short Period Variable Stars" (Senior Thesis, 2023). Full Text PDF
Jared RDavidson, "Constructing Stellar Mass Models for Early-type Galaxies with Circumnuclear Disks" (Masters Thesis, 2023). Full Text PDF
WilliamGiforos, "nPSF: PSF Fitting Software for Trans-Neptunian Objects" (Senior Thesis, 2023). Full Text PDF
Savanah KayTurner, "A Large-Scale Survey of Brown Dwarf Atmospheres" (Masters Thesis, 2023). Full Text PDF
Elisabeth ElanorBanks, "Photometric Analysis of the High-Amplitude δ Scuti V2455 Cygni" (Senior Thesis, 2023). Full Text PDF
EdisonCarlisle, "Modeling Circumnuclear Dust Emission Using ALMA Observations of Early-type Galaxies" (Senior Thesis, 2023). Full Text PDF
NicholasFreeman, "Investigations of a Binary Asteroid Dynamical Model" (Senior Thesis, 2023). Full Text PDF
JacobJensen, "H-alpha color index observations of open-star clusters" (Senior Thesis, 2022). Full Text PDF
MayalenLaker, "The Emission Ratio of the [O III] λ λ5007, 4959 Å Doublet with Redshift" (Senior Thesis, 2022). Full Text PDF
EmmaCampbell, "Photometric Analysis and Modeling of a TESS Object of Interest" (Senior Thesis, 2022). Full Text PDF
TylerHarding, "H-alpha and H-beta Variations in X Persei and Gamma Cassiopeiae" (Senior Thesis, 2022). Full Text PDF
Rochelle JuliaSteele, "An Analysis of Two Photometric Redshift Methods and Their Uses for Finding Void Galaxies" (Masters Thesis, 2021). Full Text PDF
JaredDavidson, "An Examination of the δ Scuti Variable GW Draconis from 20 years of data" (Senior Thesis, 2021). Full Text PDF
JacksonSteele, "A New Photometric Redshift Method for Galaxies with 0.01 < z < 0.03" (Senior Thesis, 2021). Full Text PDF
AbigailGraham, "Surveying Hidden Planets in Kepler Exoplanetary Systems Using Transit Timing Variations" (Senior Thesis, 2021). Full Text PDF
IanClark, "The Periods and Stability of ZZ Piscium" (Senior Thesis, 2020). Full Text PDF
CalebGaunt, "Web-Based Controllers for the ROVOR Observatory" (Senior Thesis, 2020). Full Text PDF
Christian DDraper, "Search for Dwarf Emission Line Galaxies in Galaxy Voids" (PhD Dissertation, 2019). Full Text PDF
ElisabethFrischknecht, "Exoplanetary Candidates Around HD100546 in Archival ACS Data" (Senior Thesis, 2019). Full Text PDF
NateBenfell, "Reversing Time to Find Families: Reviewing Backwards Integration as a New Method of Family-finding in the Kuiper Belt" (Senior Thesis, 2019). Full Text PDF
AlexSpencer, "Automating Noise Reduction Procedures for Exoplanet Research" (Senior Thesis, 2019). Full Text PDF
RochelleSteele, "Photometric Survey for Dwarf Galaxies Within Intergalactic Voids" (Senior Thesis, 2019). Full Text PDF
MiriamPackard, "Standardizing Light Curves of RR Lyraes in the Globular Cluster NGC 5466" (Senior Thesis, 2019). Full Text PDF
DanielJones, "Photometric and Polarimetric Signatures of Geosynchronous Satellites" (Senior Thesis, 2019). Full Text PDF
AdamBugg, "Using small robotic telescopes to monitor Cepheid variable stars" (Senior Thesis, 2019). Full Text PDF
NicholasVan Alfen, "Survey and Data Reduction of Blazars Using the ROVOR Telescope" (Senior Thesis, 2019). Full Text PDF
SethClarke, "A Standardized Hα Photometric Index in Cygnus OB2" (Senior Thesis, 2018). Full Text PDF
LaurenHindman, "Flaring Rate of Northern Blazars" (Senior Thesis, 2018). Full Text PDF
SeanPearce, "Photometric Calibrations of Gemini Images of NGC 6253" (Senior Thesis, 2018). Full Text PDF
StevenMaggard, "Statistically Weighted Orbital Elements for Kuiper Belt Objects" (Senior Thesis, 2018). Full Text PDF
AndyHernandez, "H alpha filter analysis of h and chi Persei using PSF photometry" (Senior Thesis, 2018). Full Text PDF
Derek SeanFelli, "The Morphology and Uniformity of Circumstellar OH/H2O Masers around OH/IR Stars" (PhD Dissertation, 2017). Full Text PDF
Emily DianeSafsten, "Using advanced PSF subtraction techniques on archival data of Herbig Ae/Be stars to search for new candidate companions" (Masters Thesis, 2017). Full Text PDF
ParkesWhipple, "Blazar Polarimetry with the ROVOR Telescope" (Capstone, 2017). Full Text PDF
McKayOsborne, "Extracting Long-term Periodicity in Markarian 501 from Optical Wavelength Filters" (Senior Thesis, 2017). Full Text PDF
JoeRivest, "Optical Photometric Evidence for a Binary Black Hole in Mrk 501" (Senior Thesis, 2017). Full Text PDF
AndrewPatterson, "Data Reduction Script for Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope Transit Survey" (Senior Thesis, 2017). Full Text PDF
MelissaHallum, "A Comparison of the Light Curves for NGC 4151" (Senior Thesis, 2017). Full Text PDF
HughBates, "Hα vs Hβ Index Values for the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 4151 Over a Range of Redshifts" (Senior Thesis, 2017). Full Text PDF
KarrieBeckstead, "Standardizations of Exams for Physics 127-Descriptive Astronomy" (Senior Thesis, 2017). Full Text PDF
KatrinaPedersen, "Automating the Data Reduction Process for Geosynchronous Satellite Spectra" (Senior Thesis, 2016). Full Text PDF
RyanLesser, "Measuring Redshifts of Emission-line Galaxies Using Ramp Filters" (Senior Thesis, 2016). Full Text PDF
JoelBradley, "High Mass X-Ray Binary KRL2007B-367 and Adjacent Star Fey in the Optical" (Senior Thesis, 2016). Full Text PDF
MarcusHolden, "Periodicity of Markarian 501" (Senior Thesis, 2016). Full Text PDF
RachaelHunter, "Improving Period Accuracy of Variable Stars through Radial Velocity Time Corrections" (Senior Thesis, 2016). Full Text PDF
BenFischer, "Reduction and Analysis of KELT Data \\to Confirm Transiting Planets" (Senior Thesis, 2015). Full Text PDF
ClementGaillard, "Detecting Planets around Low-mass Stars in the Kepler Field" (Senior Thesis, 2015). Full Text PDF
RobertFoster, "Examination of Time Corrections for RR Lyrae Variables in the Kepler Data" (Senior Thesis, 2015). Full Text PDF
Carla JuneCarroll, "A Feasibility Study of Photometric Reverberation Mapping with Meter-Class Telescopes" (Masters Thesis, 2015). Full Text PDF
MuxueLiu, "Re-Calibration of the Periods of Selected Cepheids from the Hubble Space Telescope Key Project Using Time Correction" (Masters Thesis, 2015). Full Text PDF
Adam KJohanson, "Radio Emission Toward Regions of Massive Star Formation in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (PhD Dissertation, 2015). Full Text PDF
BrigitteStewart, "Morphological Variation in Dune Parameters on Titan Reveals Formation Environment of Dunes" (Senior Thesis, 2014). Full Text PDF
MatthewMcNeff, "Observing Astronomical Redshift Through Optical Red and Blue Slope Filtes" (Senior Thesis, 2014). Full Text PDF
Daniel RobertBlakley, "Introduction to the Development of a Radio Astronomy System at Brigham Young University" (Masters Thesis, 2014). Full Text PDF
AdamGeorge, "Light propagation through multilayer finger model" (Senior Thesis, 2014). Full Text PDF
EmilyStoker, "A Model for A Contact Eclipsing Binary System in the Field of KOI 1152" (Senior Thesis, 2014). Full Text PDF
ChuckHonick, "Single Dish Radio Astronomy: Reaching First Light" (Senior Thesis, 2014). Full Text PDF
NathalyYoung, "Short and Long Term Variability Analysis of High Mass X-ray Binary System BD+53 2262" (Senior Thesis, 2014). Full Text PDF
EmilyRanquist, "A Compilation and Description of Scripts Written for the Optimization of Photometric Procedures" (Senior Thesis, 2013). Full Text PDF
TessLarson, "Using DAOPHOT to Locate KOI 667.01" (Senior Thesis, 2013). Full Text PDF
ThayneMcCombs, "Development of a Data Reduction Pipeline for the ROVOR Observatory" (Senior Thesis, 2013). Full Text PDF
Nichole MillwardMaughan, "Simulation of 810 nm Light Propagation Through the Human Finger for Non-Invasive Blood Analysis" (Masters Thesis, 2013). Full Text PDF
MichelleSpencer, "Photometric Observations Of Supernovae In BVR And I Filters" (Senior Thesis, 2013). Full Text PDF
CarlaCarroll, "Broadband Photometric Reverberation Mapping with Meter-Class Telescopes" (Senior Thesis, 2013). Full Text PDF
DrakeRanquist, "Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection in the Solar Corona: Simulation vs. Observation" (Senior Thesis, 2013). Full Text PDF
Heather PattiJones, "Researching Effective Methods for Teaching the Phases of the Moon" (Masters Thesis, 2012). Full Text PDF
BenjaminBoizelle, "Establishing a Multi-year Monitoring Project of Low-luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei" (Senior Thesis, 2012). Full Text PDF
JosephRawlins, "Infrared Colors Of Trans-Neptunian Objects Observed With Hst" (Senior Thesis, 2012). Full Text PDF
StephenClouse, "H2O Megamasers: Measuring the Mass of The Black Hole in the Active Nucleus of Markarian 1210" (Senior Thesis, 2012). Full Text PDF
MuxueLiu, "Observations on the Transiting Planet around KOI1152" (Senior Thesis, 2012). Full Text PDF
BlakeStauffer, "H2O Maser Observations of Planetary Nebula K3-35" (Senior Thesis, 2012). Full Text PDF
NathanielCook, "Can The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Detect And Identify Interstellar Comets?" (Senior Thesis, 2012). Full Text PDF
KeriannaButler, "Observations Of Markarian 421 With VERITAS" (Capstone, 2011). Full Text PDF
Tabitha ChristiBuehler, "A Search for and Characterization of Young Stellar Objects in N206, An H II Complex in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (PhD Dissertation, 2011). Full Text PDF
AndrewDeWitt, "Sensitivity Measurements for Two West Mountain Observatory CCDs and Exposure Times for Observing Exoplanets" (Senior Thesis, 2011). Full Text PDF
EvanHansen, "Weather Station for the ROVOR Telescope" (Senior Thesis, 2011). Full Text PDF
KelseyJorgenson, "Hydrogen Beta Index Calculation for Delta Scuti Variable Stars" (Senior Thesis, 2011). Full Text PDF
JacobNelson, "The Variability of "Normal" Galactic Nuclei" (Senior Thesis, 2011). Full Text PDF
DerekFelli, "The Detection of OH-MASER Satellite Lines in High Mass Star Forming Regions" (Senior Thesis, 2011). Full Text PDF
BretLittle, "Telescope Automation through CelestialGrid" (Senior Thesis, 2011). Full Text PDF
CynthiaKnight, "The Nature of the Most Isolated Galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey" (Senior Thesis, 2011). Full Text PDF
Michael DeLossJoner, "High-Quality Broadband BVRI Photometry of Benchmark Open Clusters" (PhD Dissertation, 2011). Full Text PDF
Jessica LynnBugno, "Time-series Observations of the High Mass X-Ray Binary 4U 2206+54 to Monitor Light Variation" (Masters Thesis, 2011). Full Text PDF
Miriam AnneWest, "Comparison of H-alpha and H-beta Temperature Indices in the Hyades and Coma Star Clusters and Selected H-beta Standard Stars" (Masters Thesis, 2010). Full Text PDF
Daniel RAllen, "Temperature and Variability of Three Ionian Volcanoes" (Masters Thesis, 2010). Full Text PDF
Brian KBucklein, "In Search of Empty Places: Voids in the Distribution of Galaxies" (PhD Dissertation, 2010). Full Text PDF
Kirstin MarieCooprider, "OH Megamasers in Merging Galaxies: A Multi-Frequency Study of IIZw096" (Masters Thesis, 2010). Full Text PDF
CameronPace, "BVRI Comparison Stars Near Selected Very-High Energy Blazars" (Senior Thesis, 2010). Full Text PDF
RichardPearson, "Markarian 501 Monitoring Campaign Using ROVOR" (Senior Thesis, 2010). Full Text PDF
JeremySchoonmaker, "Photometric and Spectroscopic Time-Series of Three Delta Scuti Variables" (Senior Thesis, 2010). Full Text PDF
DeboraMerrell, "Calculation Of Hydrogen Beta Color Indices For Delta Scuti Stars" (Senior Thesis, 2009). Full Text PDF
LauraAdams, "Standardization Of Hα Photometry" (Senior Thesis, 2009). Full Text PDF
JanaleeHarrison, "Monitoring Variability In 1es 1959+650 With Rovor" (Senior Thesis, 2008). Full Text PDF
McKayBonham, "Observations Of LPH 123 And 127, High-Mass X-Ray Binaries, In A Two-Summer Attempt To Detect Variabilities" (Senior Thesis, 2008). Full Text PDF
JonathanDaniels, "Light Curves For Supernova Sn2006jc" (Senior Thesis, 2008). Full Text PDF
NataliePorter, "Continued Observations Of The Variable Star V577 Ophiuchi, A Binary System With A Scuti Component" (Senior Thesis, 2008). Full Text PDF
TiffanyBrown, "Finding Light Curves The High Mass X-Ray Binary System Lph 115" (Senior Thesis, 2008). Full Text PDF
MiriamWest, "Photometric Search For Variable Stars In The Open Cluster Ngc 1528" (Senior Thesis, 2008). Full Text PDF
AmandaHenderson, "Variable Stars In The Cluster Ngc 6882/6885" (Senior Thesis, 2008). Full Text PDF
CraigSwenson, "Automated Iraf Reduction Scripts For Astronomy Group At Brigham Young University" (Senior Thesis, 2008). Full Text PDF
E. PaulIverson, "New Aperture Photometry Technique For Brigham Young University Astronomy Group" (Senior Thesis, 2008). Full Text PDF
SarahSchuff, "A Photometric Search And Analysis Of Short-Period Variable Stars In The Open Cluster Ngc 7092" (Senior Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
Tabitha ChristiBuehler, "Development of a Method for Calculating Delta Scuti Rotational Velocities and Hydrogen Beta Color Indices" (Masters Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
Kathleen ElizabethMoncrieff, "Development of a New Ca II H and K Spectrophotometric Temperature Index" (Masters Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
ChristianDraper, "A Variable Star Search In The Open Cluster NGC 6940" (Senior Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
EricAllan, "Observing The Variability Of AGN: Aperture Photometry Vs. PSF Fitting" (Senior Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
JoelJolley, "Time-Series Ensemble Photometry Of The High-Amplitude Scuti Star Ae Ursae Majoris" (Senior Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
NicholasStanley, "Methods For Long Period Variability Detection Using Optical Photometry" (Senior Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
AdamJohanson, "Galaxy Nuclear Variability As A Probe Of AGN Structure" (Senior Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
CodyShort, "Characterization And Analysis Of The Site 1k Ccd As Used In The Tenagra Ii .81m Telescope" (Senior Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
JenniferStanley, "Radio Astronomy At Brigham Young University" (Senior Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
CharlesPhillips, "Photometric And Spectroscopic Observations Of Two Scuti Variables: V919 Herculis And V927 Herculis" (Senior Thesis, 2007). Full Text PDF
Liberty RaeEvanko, "Development of an H-Alpha Index for the Detection of PMS Candidates in Young Open Clusters" (PhD Dissertation, 2007). Full Text PDF
PatrickBaugh, "The Usefulness Of Flat Field Images Does Time Matter?" (Senior Thesis, 2006). Full Text PDF
SteveGray, "A Variable Star Search in NGC 6866" (Honors Thesis, 2006). Full Text PDF
Michael BenjaminRose, "A Search for Low-Amplitude Variability Among Population I Main Sequence Stars" (Masters Thesis, 2006). Full Text PDF
AaronPaget, "ROVOR: Protection From The Elements Ensuring Safe Observational Conditions" (Capstone, 2006). Full Text PDF
Mana PhilipVautier, "Standardization of H Photometry Using Open Clusters III. The Pleiades" (Senior Thesis, 2006). Full Text PDF
OliverWoodland, "Development Of An Automated Search Engine For Variable Stars In Large Clusters" (Senior Thesis, 2006). Full Text PDF

Theses, Captstones, and Dissertations

ROVOR: Protection From The Elements Ensuring Safe Observational Conditions (by Aaron Paget)

In order to assure safe operational conditions for the ROVOR telescope, safe atmospheric conditions must be verified. An established weather station provides data valuable in verifying conditions. Using barometric, temperature, relative humidity, and sensors in conjunction with an anemometer interfacing with LabView, the weather station will determine 1) condensation temperatures to protect the mirrors, 2) Protection from wind and rain, 3) Using the adiabatic rate to determine cloud level in order to assess meaningful observational conditions. This demonstrates detectable atmospheric conditions for safe astronomical observations, allowing remote operation of ROVOR to proceed safely.

Standardization of H Photometry Using Open Clusters III. The Pleiades (by Mana Philip Vautier)

This thesis establishes a standard catalog for an H photometric system based on observation of selected field stars as well as main sequence stars in the nearby open cluster known as the Pleiades. All observations were made through H wide (210 Ang) and narrow (30 Ang) passbands. Using a color index centered on a single wavelength eliminates effects resulting from atmospheric extinction and produces a reddening free temperature index. The H index also has several advantages over the H index including greater CCD quantum efficiency, less line blanketing and the ability to detect a wider range of spectral types. As part of a bigger project, data from this thesis will be combined with data taken on other clusters to produce a master catalog. All data were collected from Brigham Young University's Orson Pratt and West Mountain observatories.

Development Of An Automated Search Engine For Variable Stars In Large Clusters (by Oliver Woodland)

We develop an automated variable star search engine named VARFIND and codedin the MATLAB language. Using a least squares method, VARFIND fits an exponentialfunction to an error vs. magnitude diagram for any given star cluster. It thencalculates a robust median statistic for each star and outputs the likely variable starcandidates based on this statistic. The search engine was tested on clusters NGC6882/85, NGC 188, and NGC 6709, which have been previously searched for variablestars. Results indicate that VARFIND is effective in narrowing a search to the likelyvariable candidates, which can then be further analyzed to find variability. VARFINDis especially suited to large clusters.

A Census of Dust and Gas Properties in Early-type Galaxies using the ALMA Archive (by Benjamin Derieg)

Ongoing CO imaging with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has probed molecular gas kinematics of circumnuclear disks (CNDs) in hundreds of local early-type galaxies (ETGs), providing the means for kinematic studies as well as those probing star formation and accretion processes. Here, we present results for a subset of these ALMA 12-m CO observations from Cycles 2 and 3 to build a census of circumnuclear gas and dust in ETGs at moderate angular resolution ~0.25–1.0". Our present sample of 26 galaxies contains a diverse set of CNDs that range in physical extent, gas mass, and kinematic properties, and which are observed at a range of inclination angles, angular resolutions, and sensitivities. We detail the process to construct moment maps and determine robust uncertainties in as homogeneous a manner as possible, followed by extraction of radial kinematic properties using Kinemetry. These are supplemented by dust temperatures and masses obtained by fitting a modified blackbody to continuum data from both ALMA and other space-based IR observatories. The combination of these gas/dust properties provides a crucial cross-check, and, as expected, the gas-to-dust mass ratio is ~100 for all galaxies in our sample. We also show that the CO kinematics generally align well with the larger-scale stellar distribution, although the difference in position angles is still ≳10° for ~50% of our sample, suggesting a moderate fraction of these CNDs may have external origin. A larger sample is still needed to confirm these results, and we discuss the application of the work here to all CNDs in the ALMA archive.

Photometry of Three Variable Stars Classified as Pulsators by the ATLAS Survey (by Kaelyn Clement)

We have observed three stars classified as potentially multiperiodic pulsating variables under the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) as part of our variable star follow-up program: HD 357361 (MATLAS 7), ATO J134.0420+42.7679 (MATLAS 14), and ATO J177.8411+10.2881 (MATLAS 69). Using the telescopes at Brigham Young University (BYU), we obtained and processed photometric data in the visual wavelength range. We also obtained archival data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the All-Sky Automated Search for Supernovae (ASAS-SN), and from ATLAS itself. We found times of maximum light in order to calculate pulsation periods for each star. These periods agree up to five significant figures with the periods published by ASAS-SN. We also performed Fourier analysis to determine whether each star is multiperiodic. Our analysis of the data agrees with the classification of MATLAS 7 by ASAS-SN as a high-amplitude δ Scuti star. MATLAS 14 does not appear to be a δ Scuti star as classified by ASAS-SN; it is most likely a contact eclipsing binary similar to MATLAS 69 with double the published period. While MATLAS 69 is classified as a pulsator by ATLAS, it is most likely a W Ursae Majoris type binary as classified by ASAS-SN. Because we used several data sets from different surveys, we were able to examine how varying observation frequencies affected our Fourier analysis and period solutions.

Detecting Stellar Radial Velocity through Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Data (by Tim Morrell)

Spectroscopic data of the δ scuti star V2455 Cyg collected by the 3.5 meter telescope at Apache Point Observatory (APO) can be used to detect the radial velocities of its pulsation. The Spextools software reduces the near-infrared data which can then be analyzed by the FXCOR package located in IRAF where it performs a Fourier cross-correlation. In order to make this data compatible with IRAF, a significant change in the file formatting is required. This paper models different wavelength ranges of the collected spectra to determine which part creates the most accurate radial velocity curves using the known Paschen and Brackett lines. It also compares our derived velocity curves to related data detected in the visible part of the spectrum. As this is the first time that this type of research has been attempted at BYU, there is a discussion of what can be improved on moving forward and how this will open up future, related projects. The results indicate that we are accurately detecting the changing radial velocities from V2455 Cyg’s changing spectral absorption lines, but there is a significant need to improve the error bars moving forward.