Radio/Optical Analysis of Face-On Spiral Galaxy NGC 3184
Matthew Richardson
Fisk University
 richardson_matthew1 at yahoo dot com

Astrophysics REU program - Summer 2007 University of Wisconsin, Madison Department of Astronomy
Madison, WI 53706





The purpose of this website is to disseminate the knowledge that I have learned this summer on NGC 3184. NGC 3184 is a relatively nearby grand face-on spiral galaxy located in Ursa Major constellation at a distance of approximately 11.6 Mpc away. Many studies have been conducted on this galaxy, especially studies of supernova SN 1999gi that as the name suggests was observed in 1999.
Parameters for NGC 3184
Distance: 11.6 Mpc (Leonardo et. al. 2002)
Inclination: 21.1 (Das et. al. 2002)
Magnitude: 10.36
RA: 10h 18m 17s
Dec:+45d 21' 28'' (J2000.0)
Hubble Classification: SAB(rs)cd
Originally, my project was using VLA (Very Large Array) data to map the neutral hydrogen (HI) content in the face-on spiral galaxy NGC 3184. However, and this is not bad but great, the project has expanded to an analysis of NGC 3184 in other wavelengths as well. My data sets consists of HI (21 cm) data,continuum data in optical, H&alpha data, and [S II] data. The calibrations,reductions, and analysis of the radio data were done using the AIPS (Astronomical Image Processing System) radio astronomy software, and the reduction and analysis of the optical data were performed using the IRAF (Image Reduction Analysis Facility) astronomy software.Check the Observation and Reductions link on the left side of the page for more details.

In addition, my colleague and friend, Crystal Keddie-Hill had the same project as me this summer, but researching the face-on spiral galaxy NGC 3631.The parameters for NGC 3631 are listed on her webpage; however, one thing I would like to mention about her galaxy, from what I have been able to observe from Crystal's research this summer, is that NGC 3631 is truely an interesting spiral galaxy with what appears to be a straight spiral arm (!!!) as indicated by her optical images. To find out more about this peculiar phenomenon visit her webpage by clicking on her name above or by clicking on her name located in the link on the left side of the page entitled Research Projects by other REU student.

Well, I hope that all who visits this site likes it. Also, check out some of the cool as well as helpful astronomy links that I ran across this summer in the Cool/Helpful Astronomy Links link on the left side of the page.