Research
I worked for several years as a member of Dr. Martin Gaskell's active galaxy
(AGN) group at the University of Nebraska. I conducted CCD photometry as part
of several large collaborative observing campaigns investigating
multi-wavelength variability of objects such as NGC 5548 and Akn 564.
Since coming to NMSU, I have been a member of Dr. Churchill's quasar absorption line group. Consequently, instead of studying
the quasars themselves, I now use these extremely luminous objects to study gas in the
intergalactic medium (IGM) and potentially in the halos of high redshift galaxies. So far I have primarily
been using the photoionization code Cloudy to model the physical properties of clouds in the IGM. These models
are then compared to the properties we measure from quasar absorption line observations. The ultimate goal of my
work is to increase our understanding of the material that is involved in galaxy formation and evolution.
I am currently working on two main projects. One is to create a grid of IGM cloud models that will be incorporated
into cosmological hydrodynamical simulations. This work is in collaboration with Daniel Ceverino at
Hebrew National University. I am also using modeling to explore the effects of shielding on IGM clouds.
In addition to all things quasar-related, I am interested in other areas of astronomical research, most especially that pertaining to
extrasolar planets and the origin of Titan's atmosphere. I am also interested in astronomy outreach and education, especially in
a planetarium setting.
Publications
A Revised Broad-Line Region Radius and Black Hole Mass for the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 NGC 4051
K. D. Denney et al. 2009, submitted
NGC 5548: The AGN Energy Budget Problem and the Geometry of the Broad-Line Region and Torus
C. M. Gaskell, E. Klimek, & L. Nazarova, submitted to ApJ
X-ray/ultraviolet Observing Campaign of the Markarian 279
Active Galactic Nucleus Outflow: A Close Look at the Absorbing/Emitting Gas
with Chandra-LETGS
E. Costantini et al. 2007, A&A, 461, 121
Optical Variability of Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies
E. Klimek, C. M. Gaskell, & C. H. Hedrick 2004, ApJ, 609, 69
Variability Of Active Galactic Nuclei From The Optical To X-Ray Regions
C. M. Gaskell & E. Klimek 2003, A&AT, 22, 4
Multiwavelength Monitoring of the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy Arakelian 564. III. Optical Observations and the Optical-UV-X-Ray Connection
O. Shemmer et al. 2001, ApJ, 561, 162
A Spectroscopic and Photometric Study of Short-Timescale
Variability in NGC 5548
M. Dietrich et al. 2001, A&A, 371, 79
Workshops
NASA Astrobiology Workshop, June 25-57, 2008
Meetings
June 14-16, 2004: AGN Variability from X-Rays to Radio Waves (Conference), Crimea, Ukraine,
Optical Continuum and Line Variability of NLS1s
Klimek, E., Gaskell, C., & Hedrick, C
June 14-16, 2004: AGN Variability from X-Rays to Radio Waves (Conference), Crimea, Ukraine,
Optical Variability of the
Three Brightest Nearby Quasars
Gaskell, C. M. et al.
January 2004: American Astronomical Society meeting, Optical Variability of Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies
Klimek, E., Gaskell, C. M. & Hedrick, C. H.
January 2004: American Astronomical Society meeting, Optical Variability of Two High-Luminosity Radio-Quiet Quasars, PDS 456 and PHL 1811
Gaskell, C. M. et al.
January 2002: American Astronomical Society meeting, Optical Variability of the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy Akn
564 on Timescales from Hours to Years
Gaskell, C. M. et al.
