Creation of a Program for the 3D Modeling of Light Echoes in the Visual Spectrum

Faculty Sponsor

Todd Hillwig

ORCID Identifier(s)

0009-0004-3865-113X

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-30-2026

Abstract

A light echo is a visual phenomenon that appears after a star gives off a brief flash of light. The light reflects off the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM), illuminating it and creating a short-lived visual nebula showing the structure of the ISM. Their transient nature means that, if multiple observations are taken of the light echo, a three-dimensional rendering of their structure can be built up over time. Producing these three-dimensional models allows for unique study into the structure of the normally invisible ISM. However, there are not currently any publicly  available programs that do this modeling. I present here a newly constructed program to model light echoes, and the results of using the program on the light echo of V838 Monocerotis.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Lilly is a senior who will be graduating this spring. She plans to pursue her PhD in physics.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS