Document Type
Poster
Publication Title
Northrop Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase
Abstract
M87 is a large elliptical galaxy located in the Virgo cluster with an active galactic nucleus (AGN) that exhibits jet activity. The combination of the galaxy’s proximity to the Milky Way, its brightness, and the mass of its AGN (6.5*10^9 solar masses) makes it a prime target for AGN research. These jets and other AGN activities can cause fluctuations in the luminosity of the galaxy, which is especially noticeable in X-ray bands. The M87’s jet contains several knots that can fluctuate. The Chandra X-ray telescope, deployed in 1999, can detect X-ray emissions with an energy range of 0.1 to 10 keV. Different detectors can create observations from images to spectra. The imaging telescope system has a 1-degree diameter field of view and a focal length of 10 meters.
Advisor
Eric Perlman
Publication Date
4-25-2025
Recommended Citation
Woody, Logan, "Luminosity Fluctuations of Objects Within M87" (2025). Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications. 61.
https://repository.fit.edu/apss_student/61