Probing Cosmic Infrared Sources: A Computer Modeling Approach
Abstract
Phenomenological computer models were constructed to interpret observations of cosmic infrared sources and to make predictions which would stimulate further studies. The research was divided into four areas: (1) Detailed radiation transport models, incorporating both the equilibrium heating of large dust grains and the transient heating of very small grains, were constructed for interstellar dust clouds and circumstellar dust shells of evolved stars to parameterize the observed radiation characteristics in terms of their physical source properties. (2) Existing methods of analysis (e.g., semi- analytical methods for determining the dust mass, dust temperature, and grain emissivity laws) in infrared astronomy were critically evaluated to determine the conditions under which these approaches were valid and reliable. Semi- empirical relationships were then developed to facilitate the rapid interpretation of infrared observations. (3) Theoretical models were developed to study various physical phenomena involving dust grains, e.g., molecule formation on grains, grain formation in expanding circumstellar envelopes. (4) Several computational techniques were investigated which could automate and improve the efficiency of existing radiation transport codes for modeling infrared sources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA253788
Entities
People
- Chun M. Leung
Organizations
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute