Analyzing gaseous shells around hot stars in a distant, star forming galaxy

Abstract

By Riley Owens, Physics: Astrophysics

Advisor: Matthew Bayliss

Abstract: In space, massive amounts of matter can magnify images behind it, allowing observations of much greater detail than without this effect. This analysis capitalizes upon this convenience to study the characteristics of an ancient galaxy with many regions of hot stars surrounded by large gaseous shells. The spectrum of light collected from this galaxy informs conclusions about the shape of the gaseous shells and the structure of the galaxy, as well as the chemical makeup of the clouds and how energetic they are. In turn, this hints at the qualities of the stars within them and suggests how their light interacts with the clouds.