Astronomy Research

Interested in binary stellar evolution, I research the formation of low-frequency (mHz) gravitational wave sources. My research seeks to determine the galactic population of AM CVn-type binaries, as they are important mHz gravitational wave sources that ESA and NASA’s Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will observe in the 2030’s. Using stellar evolution simulations such as MESA and POSYDON, I model low-mass binary systems and generate a galactic population of possible LISA sources. I am currently in Dr. Vicky Kalogera’s group at Northwestern CIERA and a member of the POSYDON collaboration.

Visualization is ever important in making our research accessible. I am creating an open-source code for generating van den Heuvel diagrams for the binary population synthesis code POSYDON. The visualizations published in this code will be part of a widely available database of visualizations for publications and talks. My background in the fine arts has poised me to seek novel ways to portray astrophysics data in 3D. It is my goal to bring astrophysics into immersive and interactive gallery spaces.

Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Comet photographed October 14, 2024 with STELLINA | Lake Forest College Physics and Astronomy

Presentation at Lake Forest College’s annual Glassman Symposium

Inferring the Formation and Populations of AM CVn Binaries with POSYDON

AM (Canum Venaticorum) CVn binaries are crucial verification systems for the upcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission as they emit gravitational waves at the mHz range (0.3 < fgr < 1 mHz) and emit electromagnetic radiation in the optical and X-ray bands. Using a Binary Population Synthesis (BPS) simulation, POSYDON, we present an up-to-date inference on the population and distribution of AM CVn type cataclysmic variables (CVs) in our galaxy to predict the abundance of low-frequency gravitational wave signals emitted from these binaries during LISA’s first observing run. We seek to explain the various formation channels of these short-period binaries and create a large, open-source grid of binary MESA simulations with up-to-date convective overshoot parameters for low mass stars (0.8 < Mi< 8 M☉) at solar metallicity (Z=0.0142 dex) and an initial orbital period parameter range of (0.01 < Porb< 1000 days). With these findings, we can refine the contribution of AM CVn binaries to the stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) and prepare for LISA’s first observations

On The Visualization of Binary Stellar Evolution for POSYDON

We present BinaryStory, an open-source visualization tool for stellar binary evolution data. BinaryStory directly integrates with data, a departure from the conventional post-data processing practices for creating illustration graphics. It generates van den Heuvel diagrams based on output data from Binary Population Synthesis Code, POSYDON. BinaryStory creates a visual profile of the stellar evolution chain, supporting visual analysis of binary stellar models. Leveraging a mixture of illustrative and computational methods, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of their data while enhancing scientific communication and outreach.

This work was done as part of an NSF-funded research experience for undergraduates (REU) at Northwestern’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics