University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Bio

I am a professional astronomer specializing in extragalactic astrophysics. In particular, I am interested in quasars and quasar jets. These are supermassive black holes which are the precursors to normal galaxies. My research consists of making observations in the optical (visual) of particularly violent active galactic nuclei (AGN), aptly named blazars.

I use remote and robotic observing to take images of blazars when they are active, and download those images. I calibrate and measure the images with proprietary software to get the brightness of the AGN. The data acquired is then passed on to others who combine our data with data taken at similar times in radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths.

This multifrequency campaign paints an entire picture of the behavior of the system over the course of several months. We then analyze the data to determine the size and mass of the supermassive black hole, the structure of the accretion disk surrounding the black hole, the presence or absence of extragalactic jets, and the radiation mechanisms involved.

Select Publications

SADUN, A., and ASADI-ZEYDABADI, M. "A Study of the Two-body Problem with Magnetic Interaction." J. of Phys, Astrophys. And Phys. Cosmology 3, 1-11(2009).

PACCIANI, L., et al. "The December 2009 Gamma-ray Flare of 3C 454.3: the multifrequency campaign." Astrophys J. 716, L170-L175 (2010).

GIOMMI, P., et al. "The Spectral Energy Distribution of Fermi bright blazars." Astrophys. J. 716, 30-70 (2010).

VERCELLONE, S., D’AMMANDO, F., et al Multiwavelength observations of 3C 454.3. III. "Eighteen months of AGILE monitoring of the 'Crazy Diamond'” Astrophys. J. 712, 405-420 (2010).

RAITERI, C. M., et al. "WEBT multiwavelength monitoring and XMM-Newton observations of BL Lacertae in 2007-2008. Unveiling different emission components." Astron. Astrophys. 507, 769-779 (2009).

Courses Taught

Phys 2010: College Physics I
Phys 2020: College Physics II
Phys 3040: Modern Cosmology
Phys 3050: General Astronomy II