معرفی
Elizabeth Blanton is a Professor of Astronomy at Boston University's College of Arts & Sciences, where she serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies. Her research primarily focuses on high-energy astrophysics and observational astronomy, with emphasis on galaxy clusters, radio galaxies, and AGN feedback mechanisms. She utilizes multi-wavelength approaches including X-ray, optical, infrared, and radio observations.
Education:
- Ph.D., Columbia University
- M.Phil., Columbia University
- M.A., Columbia University
- A.B., Vassar College
Professor Blanton's research centers on clusters of galaxies, particularly studying the X-ray emission from the intracluster medium using the Chandra X-ray Observatory. She investigates how central radio sources powered by supermassive black holes interact with and heat the surrounding gas, which has important implications for galaxy formation and evolution. Her work also explores using radio sources as tracers for high-redshift galaxy clusters for cosmological studies.
Her publication record shows consistent research on galaxy cluster dynamics, particularly focusing on phenomena like gas sloshing, shock waves, and cavities created by AGN feedback. The research spans multiple wavelengths with heavy emphasis on X-ray observations from the Chandra Observatory, complemented by optical, infrared, and radio data. Her work has significantly contributed to understanding how energy from supermassive black holes affects the evolution of galaxy clusters.
Notable Press Coverage:
- "Abell 2052: A Galaxy Cluster Gets Sloshed" featured in BU Research Magazine 2012, Chandra press release, NASA press release, and National Geographic image of the week
- "NGC 5813: An Intergalactic Weather Map" covered in Chandra and NASA press releases
- "Cosmic Battle Creates Milky-Way Sized Tunnel" featured in Naval Research Lab press release
- "NGC 1553: Black Holes in Distant Galaxy Points to Wild Youth" covered in Chandra press release
Professor Blanton teaches a range of astronomy courses from introductory to graduate level, including Principles of Astronomy II, Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics, Introduction to Astrophysics, and Observational Techniques. Her Observational Techniques course provides hands-on experience with telescopes at Boston University and Lowell Observatory in Arizona.
She leads research within the Interdisciplinary Cosmology Group at Boston University, which includes members from the Departments of Astronomy, Physics, and Data Sciences. Her work on galaxy clusters and AGN feedback continues to advance our understanding of the formation and evolution of large-scale structures in the universe.
