Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
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Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 |
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Thomas M. Dame
Radio Astronomer Lecturer on Astronomy |
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Research Interests My observational work is mainly carried out with the CfA 1.2 meter telescope and is focused on determining the distribution and properties of dense, star-forming molecular clouds throughout the Milky Way Galaxy. A major milestone in this work was the publication in 2001 of a complete CO survey of the Galaxy. A brief summary of my observations since then is given here. Much more information on the telescope and my research is given on the millimeter-wave group page. Because molecular clouds are so large, contain such a large fraction of the interstellar gas and dust, and are the source of so many conspicuous young objects, they can be detected across the electromagnetic spectrum. My research focuses on applying our extensive CO survey to a broad range of Galactic studies. These include Galactic spiral structure and star formation, the distribution and origin of cosmic rays, the nature of the soft X-ray background, the structure and evolution of supernova remnants and soft gamma ray repeaters, and the stellar mass distribution inferred from the near-infrared. A good example of this type of work is my recent paper on the new TeV gamma ray source in the stellar cluster Westerlund 2 (preprint). Publications From ADS abstract and article database. My most well-known "publication" just might be this poster! Teaching I have been involved in the course Astronomy 191: Laboratory Astrophysics since shortly after it was first offered in 1988. In addition to teaching one or more of the core experiments involving the CfA 1.2 meter telescope, I work with Pat Thaddeus and Josh Grindlay on overall course planning and handle most of the course administration. I also teach one of two required laboratories in the course Astronomy 16: Stars and Gas in the Milky Way. In the laboratory, students use the 1.2 meter telescope to measure the velocities of molecular clouds along the plane of the Milky Way, and from these data derive the Galactic rotation curve and total Galactic mass within the Sun's orbit. In addition, I am a member of the Board of Freshman Advisors, Harvard College. Related Links CfA Millimeter-Wave Group Harvard Research Area Descriptions: |