MA Astronomy 1978 University of California, Los Angeles
PhD Astronomy 1983 University of California, Los Angeles
Research Interests
My principal research is focused on the study of cataclysmic variable stars: Novae, Dwarf Novae, and Nova-like variables (An artist's conception is shown below).
Artist's visualization of a nova (NASA/Hardy)
This work includes the study of the fundamental properties of these systems in our own galaxy,
as well as the study of the spatial distribution
and population of nova systems in nearby galaxies, such as M31 (below).
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
Doctoral Thesis
My doctoral thesis from 1983 is entitled "On the Masses of White Dwarfs in Cataclysmic Binaries", and can be downloaded here.
M31N 2008-12a, a rapidly-recurring recurrent nova in M31
An image of a portion Andromeda galaxy showing the position of
M31N 2008-12a is shown below.
Its annual eruptions have have generated a large
"super remnant", visible as an arc to the right of the
nova site (indicated by the green cross hairs).
Our group's recent work on the super remnant has been covered in SDSU NewsCenter.
For more information on my extragalactic nova work generally,
visit my Extragalactic Nova web page.
AAS Journals Author and Scientific Editor Interviews
Fundraising
Led the effort to secure the principal gift of $750,000 from the estate of Phillips Claud, Jr. for the construction of a new 1.25-m telescope at Mount Laguna Observatory.
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