Research » Stellar Group
The stellar group at NMSU is active in research on interacting binaries (particularly cataclysmic variables and binary black holes), stellar dynamics such as those in globular clusters, and variable stars. Researchers make use of the facilties at Apache Point Observatory and have obtained time on the Keck telescopes, Gemini, and NOAO telescopes in both Arizona and Chile. Continuing research projects also include using the Hubble Space Telescope to obtain parallaxes of both cataclysmic variables and galactic Cepheid variables in order to obtain accurate distances to these objects.
Killer Stars |
Associations |
New Stars |
Star Clusters |
Particular interests of members include the following.
| Bernie McNamara | Professor |
| Stellar dynamics, X-ray variable stars; gamma-ray bursts | |
| Thomas Harrison | Observatory Research Specialist |
| Cataclysmic variables; infrared spectroscopy | |
| Joni Johnson | Research Fellow |
| Cataclysmic variables; PAGB stars | |
| Jillian Bornak | Graduate Student |
| Stellar remnants; accretion processes; AGN | |
| Ryan Campbell | Graduate Student |
| Cepheid variables in the LMC; parallax measurements | |
| Douglas Hoffman | Graduate Student |
| Stellar modeling of binaries and cataclysmic variables | |
| Ashley Ruiter | Graduate Student |
| White dwarf binaries; gravitational wave detections | |
| Joseph Wellhouse | Graduate Student |
| Star formation; stellar evolution; the ISM |