Benjamin J. Kelly

(Last Updated: May 2008)

benihana@uwyo.edu
University of Wyoming
Physics and Astronomy Department
1000 East University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071

Education

San Francisco State University - San Francisco, California
Candidate: Masters of Physics with an emphasis in Astronomy

University of Wyoming - Laramie, Wyoming
B.S. Astronomy and Astrophysics (2002-2007)
B.S. Minor in Mathematics (2002-2007)

Research Experience

Post-Starburst Quasar Analysis (Summer 2007 - Present)

Advisor: Dr. Mike Brotherton (University of Wyoming)
Project: Reducing PSQ infrared data taken at the Infrared Telescope Facility using the IRAF tasks XMOSAIC and ELLIPSE.
Analysis consists of determining light fraction of the galaxy/total and using surface brightness profiles to determine
sersic indices, galaxy-type, and effective radii.

Observing Assistant (February 2007)

Advisor: Dr. Karen Kinemuchi (University of Wyoming)
Project: Accompanied Dr. Karen Kinemuchi to the 1.8 meter Perkins Telescope in Flagstaff, Arizona to observe Uma II and its stellar
components, namely its RR Lyraes. Premise of observations was to determine if Uma II was part of the formation of the Galactic halo.

Reverberation Mapping (Fall 2006 - Summer 2007)

Advisor: Dr. Mike Brotherton (University of Wyoming)
Project: Assisted with the collaboration between Dr. Mike Brotherton, Dr. Margrethe Wold and the NOT monitoring program
by observing variable quasars in order to determine black hole masses. Optical observations were taken at Wyoming Infrared Observatory.

Extrasolar Planet Search (Summer 2006 - Spring 2007)

Advisor: Dr. Michelle Stark (University of Wyoming) and Dr. Chip Kobulnicky (University of Wyoming)
Project: Observed the open cluster NGC 188 to find transiting extrasolar planets. Preliminary results provide semi-transits
for 3 Cepheid/W Ursae Majoris stars. Data reduction is on-going.

*Received University of Wyoming NASA Space Grant - Final Report (PDF)

UW SURAP (Summer Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program) Assistant (Summer 2006)

Advisor: Dr. Ron Canterna (University of Wyoming)
Project: Helped organize and schedule SURAP observation time at Red Buttes Observatory, trained SURAP students
about telescope operations and procedures and served as an on-call observer/troubleshooter.

Educational Research in Radio Astronomy (August 2005)

Advisor: Dr. Dan Reichert (University of North Carolina)
Project: Attended a week long research and education program designed to familiarize undergraduates with the workings
of a radio telescope and radio data reduction.

Cygnus OB2 Association (Fall 2005 - Spring 2006)

Advisor: Dr. Chip Kobulnicky (University of Wyoming) and Dr. Karen Kinemuchi (University of Wyoming)
Project: Helped observe OB stars at the STAR Observatory in order to determine stellar variability through the use
of differential photometry.

Observing Experience

Optical Imaging of Quasars: WIRO (Wyoming Infrared Observatory), University of Wyoming - 2.3 meter telescope (Observed ~ 20 nights during 2006-2007)
Optical Imaging of NGC 188: RBO (Red Buttes Observatory), University of Wyoming - 0.6 meter telescope (Observed ~ 50 nights during 2006-2007)
Optical Imaging of the Cygnus OB2 Association: STAR (Student Teaching and Research) Observatory, University of Wyoming - 0.4 meter telescope (Observed 1-2 nights/week during 2005-2006)
Optical Imaging of RR Lyraes in UMa II: Perkins Telescope, Lowell Observatory - 1.8 meter telescope (Observed 3 nights in February 2007)
Radio Imaging of Milky Way 21 cm emmision line of neutral hydrogen: Green Bank Telescope, Green Bank, West Virginia - 12.2 meter telescope (Observed 5 nights in August 2005)

Awards and Scholarships

Dean's List, University of Wyoming (Fall 2007)
Wyoming Undergraduate Exchange Scholarship (Fall 2002 - Fall 2006)
Wyoming NASA Space Grant (Fall 2006)

Publications

"An Extrasolar Planet Transit Search in NGC 188", Portscheller,L., Kelly,B., Kinemuchi,K. and Kobulnicky,C., 2006, AAS 20916902

Conference Contributions

"An Extrasolar Planet Transit Search in NGC 188", poster presentation, 209th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), Seattle,Washington, 5-10 January 2007

Computer Skills

IRAF (Image Reduction and Analysis Facility)
IDL (Interactive Data Language)
LaTeX
MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

Activities

University of Wyoming Astronomy 1050 Lab TA (Spring 2008)
University of Wyoming Multicultural Affairs Astronomy/Physics Tutor (Spring 2007 - Present)
Habitat for Humanity Wyoming Chapter (Summer 2007 - Present)
University of Wyoming AstroCamp Volunteer (Summer 2006 and Summer 2007)
Interfaith Good Samaritan Volunteer (Summer 2005 - Fall 2006)
Society of Physics Students (Fall 2002 - Spring 2003)