Jeremy G. Wertheimer
Graduate student, Astronomy and Astrophysics
University of California, Santa Cruz
Office: 355 Interdisciplinary Sciences Building
Email: jwerthei at ucolick.org
Educational Background
B.A. Physics, Pomona College
currently enrolled in a PhD program
at UCSC
Research Interests
Jeremy's research interests are in stellar dynamics and numerical simulations.
The dynamics of the Alpha Centauri
/ Proxima Centauri triple system: Using accurate astrometric data
for the system combined with distance and mass data for each
component we can find whether Proxima Centauri is gravitationally
bound to its close binary neighbor, Alpha Centauri A/B. This has
implications for determining the age of Proxima Centauri and
refining the models of other low mass stellar objects. The presence
of a permanent third companion in the Alpha Centauri system may
provide water in the form of long-period comets to any potential,
but as of yet undiscovered, planets in the Alpha Centauri system.
This research was conducted in collaboration with Greg
Laughlin at UCSC.
Using data from SEGUE,
we can search for evidence of hierarchical merging in the disk and
stellar halo of the Milky Way. We will determine the scale height as
a function of metallicity and search for overdensities as a function
of galactocentric radius. This has implications for the theory of
galaxy formation in general as well as the merger history of our own
Milky Way. This research is conducted in collaboration with
Constance Rockosi at UCSC.
Publications/Abstracts
2006
Are
Proxima and Alpha Centauri Gravitationally Bound?
Wertheimer,
J. G. & Laughlin, G.
2006, AJ, 132, 1995
The
Status of the N2K Project: >400 Optimal Planet-Search Targets and
3 New Planets Found
Robinson, Sarah E., Ammons, S., Strader,
J., Fischer, D. A., Kretke, K. A., Wertheimer, J. G., &
Laughlin, G. P.
2006, AAS, 208.2004R (conference abstract)
2002
N-body
simulations of the Evolution of the Local Group
Penprase, B.
E., Wertheimer, J., & Johnson, V. L.
2002, AAS, 200.9707P
(conference abstract)
Awards/Scholorships
The Frank Parkhurst
Brackett, Jr., and Davida Wark Brackett Prize, 2003