Astrophysics Lecture by Dr. Paul Eskridge from Minnesota State University, MankatoMay 3, 2010 at 7:30–8:30 p.m.

"Clearing Away the Dust - Using Pixel-Mapping to Study the Structure of Nearby Galaxies"

Pixel mapping is a general technique for studying the point to point variation in the spectral energy distribution of extended objects. It is thus a multi-wavelength extension of traditional surface photometry. Dr. Eskridge will begin with a brief explanation of the basics and history of pixel mapping. He will then turn to recent work showing the power of pixel mapping for addressing the problem of dust extinction in external galaxies. Small particles of solid material in interstellar space are very efficient absorbers of optical radiation. Properly correcting for this absorption is one of the most challenging and longstanding problems in observational astronomy.