ICA graduate student Diego Castañeda is extending his work on matching the observed spectrum of the rapidly rotating star α Oph (see December, 2011 Image of the Month) by beginning to compare individual lines. The results of the comparison for the Mg II h and k lines are shown in this month’s image. The green curve is the IUE data, while the blue line is the computed flux profile. The computed flux comes from a weighted integration of the intensity of the radiation emitted in the direction of the observed over the visible surface of the 2D stellar model with rotation. The model is the one used previously to match the entire spectral energy distribution for α Oph. The integration includes the Doppler broadening produced by the (assumed uniform) surface rotation with a surface equatorial velocity of 236 km/s. While not perfect, the agreement between model and data in this wavelength interval is encouraging.

The Institute for Computational Astrophysics (ICA) was formed to expand an area of expertise within the Department of Astronomy and Physics at Saint Mary's University. Since its creation in late 2001, the ICA has grown to six full time faculty members, and at any time there are on the order of eight graduate students and two post doctoral fellows amongst the ICA membership. This does not include the other faculty, graduate students, and post doctoral fellows in the Department of Astronomy and Physics. The ICA promotes research in computational astrophysics through the research and publication activities of the individual members, by hosting visitors and colloquium speakers, and by having all its members participate in national and international conferences.

The ICA is also responsible for providing its members with access to high performance computing resources. The ICA has its own small cluster for code development, but most computing is done through ACEnet, the academic research high performance computing provider for Atlantic Canada. ACEnet also provides other collaboration and visualization tools on the Saint Mary's campus. The ICA has played a significant role in the formation and direction of ACEnet, with one ICA member serving as the Principal Investigator of ACEnet since the project was funded, two others having served or currently serving on the Research Directorate, and one member on the Resource Allocation Committee. ACEnet also employs two full time technical support personnel stationed at Saint Mary's, and ICA members have been major beneficiaries of their expertise.

The ICA annual report for 2011 has been completed and placed on this website under “Key Documents” All previous ICA annual reports are there as well.

Ms. Liz Arcila Osejo and Mr. Mike Casey, successfully defended their theses in September 2011

Jonathan Ramsey successfully defends his PhD thesis dissertation

Astrophysics BRAD GIBSON, KATE PILKINGTON and GARETH FEW visit summer 2011

Data Cave Manager, Diego Castañeda

ICA Conference - 16-18 October 2009

Plaskett Award

ICA's First PhD

Data Cave Grand Opening

Remote Collaboration Room Opening Reception