Compositional characterization of lunar surface features informs our understanding of the Moon's thermal and magmatic evolution. We investigated the compositions of hypothesized volcanic features known as irregular mare patches (IMPs) and their surroundings to constrain formation mechanisms. We used six datasets to assess the composition of 12 IMPs: 1) Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) derived spectral parameters (e.g., band center positions, shapes), 2) Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner Radiometer Experiment (Diviner) measured Christiansen feature (CF) position, 3) SELENE (Kaguya) Multiband Imager (MI) FeO abundance, 4) Clementine 5-band (Ultraviolet/Visible)-derived FeO abundance, 5) LRO Wide Angle Camera (WAC) TiO2 abundance, and 6) LRO Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) derived single scattering albedo. Our analysis suggests that some IMPs are compositionally unique from their surroundings, while other IMPs exhibit ambiguous compositional trends, which is consistent with the wide variety of geologic settings in which IMPs are situated. Large IMPs are similar to surrounding low albedo dark halos, which could suggest a formation association between IMPs and these dark halo materials. Spectral and photometric comparisons suggest that IMPs' compositions are compatible with Apollo 11 and 17 high-Ti mare basalts, as well as a group of synthetic high-Ca pyroxenes. Future remote sensing orbiters with high spatial resolution are essential to resolve the compositions of smaller IMPs as well as the distinct smooth and rough morphological regions within larger IMPs.

In August, 2014 three experiments were conducted using infrared systems deployed at White Mountain Research center, CA. The data was acquired for the whole month of August. Teams of 3-4 students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Santa Barbara were stationed at the research center for 2-3 days to operate the equipment. The three experiments were:(1) creating spatial-temporal time series of lunar surface temperatures;(2) identifying atmospheric meteor trails;(3) search for meteor impacts on the Moon surface. Out of the three this thesis focusses on experiment 1 and the results from this experiment could also help with the other experiments. We propose to use a thermal infrared camera mounted on a telescope to acquire time-series observations of lunar surface temperatures to get a novel insight into the thermal evolution of the Moon over a complete lunar cycle. Half a lunar cycle would account from morning to night and lasts for approximately 14.75 days. Seeing how the pixel value changes from morning to night the pixel and temperature trends can be observed throughout the day. Apart from that one can get the two temperature peaks that could maybe help to get an estimate for the Thermal inertia of the surface in the presence of Moon regolith. The temperature trends and the thermal inertia could potentially provide some insight for methods that seek to determine the properties of asteroids from ground based observations.

Astronomers have been observing the night sky for many centuries to establish a better understanding for our universe and solar system. As part of their observations, astronomers characterize celestial bodies by fundamental properties such as mass, motion, and composition in order to provide further insight about the objects in question. As technology and science have evolved, the methods for measuring these properties have become more precise and accurate. One such methodology is known as spectroscopy, and it is a significant tool for observational astronomy. In this paper, we shall describe how we used astronomical spectroscopy to determine orbital and rotational velocities for various objects in our solar system. This method was implemented specifically using the facilities of the Harry D. Powell Observatory on the campus of East Tennessee State University.

Abstract INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCIENCE & THEATRE Jessica Nicole Dotson A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015. Major Director: Dr. Noreen C. Barnes, Director of Graduate Studies, Associate Professor of Theatre In the 1990s, astronomer Peter Usher was searching for new ways to teach his introductory astronomy class at Pennsylvania State University. He began to engage his students by searching for astronomical connections from other disciplines. His focus was turned to the arts, especially the works of William Shakespeare. Usher found, while searching through the canon of Shakespeare's work, astronomical references that explored the “new astronomy” of the Elizabethan age (Falk 171). This thesis will explore the writings of Usher, in regard to the astronomy of Hamlet, along with the interdisciplinary connections between art and science in and outside the classroom and museum theatre. From interdisciplinary classroom methods, to arts and scientists collaborating together for the betterment of man-kind, the use of theatre is a way of rediscovering the humanity of human history. The collaboration between the disciplines serves as one of theatre's greatest purposes, to educate and represent a living history of man.