Planetary Science Institute, Astrophysics Group

Dr. Steve B. Howell

Research Scientist, Astrophysics Group, PSI
howell@.psi.edu

"Since The Beginning Of Time, The Universe Has Called To Awaken Each Of Us. -- To Understand The Universe, Is To Understand Ourselves." -- S. Howell, June 1995
"I Hear There Ain't No Blues In Heaven, So I Think I'll Be Goin' The Other Way!", -- from Ain't No Blues in Heaven, S. Howell 1991.

Research Areas: Cataclysmic Variables, Faint Object 2-D Photometry, Multi-Wavelength Studies, Extra-Solar Planet Searchs, and CCD Instrumentation. (see details below)

Recent Principle Publications:

Steve is also a Blues Musician and Digital Artist.

Research Interests

Cataclysmic Variables:

Steve performs observational research on these types of variables from the X-ray region to the radio. He is a frequent GO on NASA's fleet of astrophysics satellites as well as observing at many of the worlds ground-based observatories. Recent research has focused on the EUV light distribution on the surfaces of the white dwarfs in AM Her systems and IR spectroscopy of CV secondaries. Steve and his collaborators are currently knee deep in TOADs; Tremendous Outburst Amplitude Dwarf novae that is.

The AM Her variable RE1149 showing its EUV light curve and a model fit.

UKIRT IR Spectra of two short period CVs.

Phase plot for the star UZ For. This model, developed by collaborator Martin Sirk at CEA, shows UZ For at some selected lightcurve phase points.

One frame from the UZ Fornax movie showing the EUV light curve, binary system with associated magnetic field loops, and expanded view of the white dwarf. For the entire movie, see the entry by Martin Sirk in the CEA homepage.

Faint Object 2-D Photometry

Performing time-series photometry and object identification on faint objects (ie. very low S/N) is another research area. Steve is currently involved with a number of stellar and extragalactic time-series projects as well as part of the Lowell Observatory Near-Earth Object Survey (LONEOS) project soon to have first light. Steve has also started work on using ground-based photometric data to search for Extra-Solar planets.

Photometry is an art !

CCD Time series data set of a recent superoutburst of SW UMa.

Ground-based photometric transit predictions for Extra-Solar Planets.

CCD Instrumentation:

Development of a Realistic Model for CCD point sources has been long overdue but finally done. This model allows the user to specify and control all aspects of point source observations in a software manner. Check out the figures for examples. PSI is also currently in the beta test phase of their unique very low resolution CCD spectrograph (VULCAN) which allows the entire visible spectrum to be imaged at once. talk about model and show figs, plus VULCAN

Model point source imaged on a CCD.

Other Interests

Blues Music:

Steve plays harmonica (harp for those in the know), guitar, and slide guitar. On cloudy nights he can usually be found in one of Tucsons local clubs, wearing either his acoustic or electric blues hat, and laying down some hip tracks.

Digital Art:

Steve, along with fellow musician and friend Don Simpson, create modern day artwork, combining the tools of the artist with the technology of today. The background of this WWW page is a two color mosaic of a fractel created by them. Two further examples are given below.

Elephants in Time

Alien Sunset