US-Sweden Cooperative Research: Observation and Modeling of Stellar Atmospheres

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

0318835 Brown This award supports the PI and students from the University of Colorado-Boulder in a collaboration with Kjell Erksson of the Department of Astronomy and Space Physics at the University of Uppsala. The technical focus of the project is to develop accurate models of the conditions in the extended atmospheres of evolved cool stars. The complementary expertise of the US and Swedish groups will make it possible to model the inhomogeneous wind outflow from evolved giants and super giants, model the carbon monoxides lines in dwarfs and giants, measure stellar magnetic fields using Zeeman splitting and state-of-the-art radiative transfer codes, and establish evolutionary positions and masses of late-type giants and super giants. The broader impacts of this collaboration are that it increases interactions between US researchers and those in Sweden, it promotes collaborative opportunities and career development for US students, and it enhances the infrastructure for research and education by laying the groundwork for future international research and education opportunities, especially through a planned international summer school on Analysis and Modeling of Stellar Spectra.