Research
Dr. Walterbos studies the interstellar medium in disk galaxies using a variety
of techniques, including optical and radio imaging and spectroscopy. His
research has focused on the low-density diffusely distributed gas that is
found in the disks and halos of galaxies. The overall goal is to better
understand how the energy input from massive stars shapes and disturbs the
interstellar medium in a variety of environments. Other areas include the
study of the chemical composition of the interstellar gas, the distribution of
gas in the outer disks of spiral galaxies, the kinematics of gas in the halo
and disks of galaxies, and the properties of massive stars.
Dr. Walterbos is working with four graduate students on a variety of problems
concerning the interstellar medium and the dynamics of galaxies. Seventh-year
student Cat Wu is studying the kinematics of halo gas in
galaxies using a new multi-long-slit setup at the ARC 3.5m telescope,
fifth-year student Maria Patterson is studying the abundances of chemical
elements, the kinematics of HI halo gas, and the properties of star formation
in nearby spiral galaxies, using a variety of telescopes from the ground and
from space. SDSS observer and NMSU graduate student Audrey Simmons is
studying the interaction of massive stars with their surrounding interstellar
medium in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Second-year student Meredith Rawls has just joined the group and will work
on imaging nearby gas clouds to compare the distribution of UV light with HII
star forming regions.
Teaching
Dr. Walterbos has regularly taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate
courses at NMSU. At the undergraduate level these have included introductory
classes in Astronomy, the Search for Life in the Universe, and Great Ideas in
Science. At the graduate level, Walterbos has taught Introductory
Astrophysics, Stars and Stellar Evolution, Observational Techniques, and
Interstellar Medium in Galaxies. His favorite approach in class is to center
discussion of material around students' questions, and to stimulate class
participation through panel discussions.
Teaching Fall 2011: ASTR 305V (Search for
Life)
Professional Service
Dr. Walterbos serves as the NMSU representative on the Astrophysical Research
Sloan Digital Sky Survey Advisory Council, as the NMSU member representative
for the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), and for
AURA as member of the Solar Observatory Council. He is also a member of the
Gemini Observatory Board of Directors.
Link to all papers: Link
to ADS publications
Selected Publications (with former NMSU graduate students).
Star Formation in H I-selected Galaxies. II. H II Region
Properties
Helmboldt, J.F., & Walterbos, R.A.M., Bothun, G.D.,
& O'Neil, K. 2005, ApJ, 630, 824
Star Formation in H I-Selected Galaxies. I. Sample
Characteristics
Helmboldt, J.F., & Walterbos, R.A.M., Bothun,
G.D., O'Neil, K., & de Blok, W.J.G. 2004, ApJ, 613, 914
Optical Spectroscopy and Ionization Models of the Diffuse
Ionized Gas in M33, M51/NGC 5195, and M81
Hoopes, C.G., &
Walterbos, R.A.M., 2003, ApJ, 586, 902
HII Regions and Diffuse Ionized Gas in 11 Nearby Spiral
Galaxies
Thilker, D.A., Walterbos, R.A.M., Braun, R., & Hoopes,
C.G. 2002, AJ, 124, 3118
