About Us
The Astrophysics Group carries out solar and astrophysics studies from the ground, high altitude balloons and spacecraft. The principal UNH satellite-based studies were carried aboard the Solar Maximum Mission and the Gamma Ray Observatory satellites. The UNH detectors measured emissions from the sun and from a number of galactic sources. Galactic gamma rays often are produced by the most dynamic and highest temperature plasmas in the universe. Ongoing research is performed on the polarization of X and gamma rays from astrophysical source, studying the radiation environment of Earth using neutron monitors and development of X, gamma and particle detectors for space.
Astrophysics research at UNH extends beyond the Space Science Center. Our colleagues in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences are engaged in the following research:
Professor Foucart performs numerical simulations of collisions between black holes and neutron stars to predict the properties of the gravitational wave and electromagnetic signals they power.
Professor Mattingly's work focuses on possible experimental signatures of quantum gravity in high-energy astrophysics, cosmology, and laboratory experiments as well as mathematical aspects of quantum gravity and black holes.
Professor Prescod-Weinstein is involved in instrumentation design and theoretical research to support planned high-energy astrophysics space facilities AMEGO and STROBE-X, as well as the planned ground-based optical observatory, LSST.
Space Science Center Faculty:
Peter Bloser
Fabian Kislat
Mark McConnell
Jim Ryan
CEPS Faculty:
Francois Fourcart
David Mattingly
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Research Engineer:
Jason Legere
Graduate Students:
Alexander Chernoglazov
Noah Glennon
Alexander Knight
Karla Onate-Melecio
Tejaswita Sharma
Farzane Shirazi
Sambid Wasti
Neutron Monitors
UNH operates three neutron monitors in Durham, Leadville CO and on Mount Washington with a history going back to the mid 1950s monitoring and measuring the Earth’s radiation environment. The Earth’s radiation environment is heavily influenced by solar activity and measuring that influence of several solar cycles is important.
SONTRAC
The spectral measurement of neutrons emanating from nearby sources is key in several ways, e.g., for solar flares, the Earth’s atmosphere and the lunar surface. Knowledge of the neutron spectrum and its intensity informs our understanding of these sources. UNH is developing a neutron imaging spectrometer that could be deployed on small satellite and a lunar lander. Based on early work by UNH, NASA/GSFC and UNH are developing such an instrument based on advanced optoelectronics.
X-Calibur Telescope
This multi-institute project team prepared the X-Calibur telescope for a stratospheric balloon flight launched from McMurdo (Antarctica) in December 2018. The telescope was used to observe the X-Ray emission from neutron stars in the Milky Way galaxy. X-Calibur will measure the polarization (the plane in which the electric field of the X-rays oscillates) of the high-energy X-ray emission. The polarization holds information about how and where the X-Ray emission originates.
Above: Fabian Kislat (left) stands with the X-Calibur mission team in front of the telescope ready for launch in Antarctica.
Advanced Scintillator Compton Telescope (ASCOT)
This project uses modern scintillator materials read out by silicon photomultipliers to create a sensitive gamma-ray telescope for astronomical observations. A prototype instrument was flown on a NASA scientific balloon in July 2018.
Above: Tejaswita Sharma, Peter Bloser, and Jason Legere at the launch of ASCOT in July 2008.
The Compton Telescope on CGRO (COMPTEL)
We continue to analyze data from the COMPTEL instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO), which flew on orbit from 1991-2000. In particular, we have recently been studying polarization of GRBs and solar flares, and are also studying atmospheric neutrons.
Field Deployable Imaging Neutron Detector (FIND)
Funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, this project is using modern organic scintillators read out by silicon photomultipliers to construct a portable camera for fast neutrons and gamma rays suitable for military and homeland security-related applications.
Diamond Scattering Detectors for Compton Telescopes
We are investigating whether artificial single-crystal diamond detectors may be used as Compton scattering elements in advanced Compton telescopes. Diamond detectors offer the prospect of improved energy and position resolution while maintaining the fast timing of scintillators.
Gamma-Ray Concentrator
We are investigating whether thin-film multilayer structures may be used to channel and concentrate soft gamma rays from a large collecting area to a small detector. This technique has the potential to dramatically improve the sensitivity of future gamma-ray telescopes.
Gamma Ray Polarimeter Experiment (GRAPE)
Theoretical models show that a more complete understanding of the inner structure of γ-ray bursts (GRBs), including the geometry and physical processes close to the central engine, requires the exploitation of γ-ray polarimetry. Over the past several years, we have developed the Gamma Ray Polarization Experiment (GRAPE) to measure the polarization of γ-rays from GRBs over the energy range of 50 to 500 keV. GRAPE is a large FoV instrument with a sensitive energy range covering the peak energy distribution of GRBs. The design is based on an array of independent modules, each of which consists of an array of (high-Z and low-Z) scintillator elements read out by a multi-anode PMT (MAPMT). Our eventual goal is to fly GRAPE on a long duration balloon (LDB) platform to collect data on a significant sample of GRBs. Our experience with two balloon flights (in 2011 and 2014), coupled with further design efforts focused on orbital payloads, has led to an improved polarimeter concept that represents a natural evolution of the current design.
Ph.D. Thesis Projects
Dr. Tejaswita Sharma
Graduation Date: 2021
Advisor: Peter Bloser
Thesis Title: Cosmic Diffuse Gamma-Ray Background Measurement with the Advanced Scintillator Compton Telescope (ASCOT)
Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Dr. Amanda C. Madden
Graduation Date: 2015
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Enhanced Analysis Techniques for an Imaging Neutron and Gamma Ray Spectrometer
Current Position: Staff Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Dr. Manuel Grégory Julien
Graduation Date: 2014
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Development of a FAst Compton TELescope (FACTEL)
Dr. Taylor Connor
Graduation Date: 2012
Advisor: Mark McConnell
Thesis Title: Examining celestial polarization with the Gamma Ray Polarimeter Experiment (GRAPE)
Dr. Richard Woolf
Graduation Date: 2010
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Development and Characterization of a Fast Neutron Imaging Telescope (FNIT) for 1-20 MeV Neutrons from the Sun and Nuclear Material
Current Position : Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Dr. Trevor Morgan
Graduation Date: 2010
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Measurements of the 2001 April 15 and 2005 January 20 Ground-Level Enhancements by the Milargro Water Cerenkov Detector
Dr. Michael S. Briggs
Graduation Date: 2008
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: A Fundamental Analysis of Means of Producing and Storing Energy
Current Position: Laser Weaponry Engineer, Xemed, Durham, NH
Dr. Burcin Dönmez
Graduation Date: 2006
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Characterization of Single-Sided CdZnTe Strip Detectors for High Energy Astrophysics Applications
Thesis Availability:
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Dr. Qiuhua Zheng
Graduation Date: 2004
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: On the Rayleigh-Brillouin Scattering in Air
Current Position: Analyst, Federal National Mortgage Association, Washington, DC
Dr. Abe Falcone
Graduation Date: 2001
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Observation and Study of GeV Solar Energetic Particles Using the Milagrito Extensive Air Shower Detector
Thesis Availability:
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position : Senior Research Associate, Dept. of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Penn State University
Dr. C. Alex Young
Graduation Date: 2001
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Solar flare gamma-ray spectroscopy with CGRO-COMPTEL
Thesis Availability
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position: Solar Astrophysicist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Dr. Martina Arndt
Graduation Date: 2000
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: X- and Gamma-Ray Observations of the 15 November 1991 Solar Flare
Current Position: Professor, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater MA
Dr. S. Cheenu Kappadath
Graduation Date: 1998
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Measurement of the Cosmic Diffuse Gamma-Ray Spectrum from 800 keV to 30 MeV
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Imaging Physics, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dr. Benjamin Hersh
Graduation Date: 1996
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Photometric Studies of Cygnus X-1 from 322-473 keV with the Solar Maximum Mission
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position: Software Engineer, DEKA Research & Development, Raymond NH
Dr. Richard S. Miller
Graduation Date: 1995
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: A Search for Radiative Neutrino Decay and its Potential Contribution to the Cosmic Diffuse Gamma-Ray Flux
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position: Staff Scientist (Photon Science Division - Detector Group), Applied Physics Laboratory, Sykesville, MD
Dr. R. Marc Kippen
Graduation Date: 1995
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Locations and Spectra of Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position: Project Leader / Technical Staff Member, Space Science & Applications Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Dr. Douglas A. Biesecker
Graduation Date: 1994
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: On the Occurrence of Solar Flares Observed with the Burst and Transient Source Experiment
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position: Solar Physicist, NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, Boulder, CO
Dr. Debadarshi Bhattacharya
Graduation Date: 1990
Advisor: Dr. Edward Chupp
Thesis Title: Observations of Cosmic Gamma - Ray Sources and Their Contribution to the Diffuse Gamma - Ray Background
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Dr. Renu Saxena
Graduation Date: 1990
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Ground Level Atmospheric Neutron Flux Measurements in the 10-170 MeV Range
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position: Medical Physicist, Stereotactic Radiosurgery Institute, Gurnee, IL
Dr. Parameswaran Sreekumar
Graduation Date: 1989
Advisor: John Lockwood
Thesis Title: Ground Level Atmospheric Gamma Ray Flux Measurements in the 1-6 MeV Range
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position: Head of Space Astronomy and Instrumentation, Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO Satellite Center, Bangalore, India
Dr. Mark L. McConnell
Graduation Date: 1987
Advisor: Edward Chupp
Thesis Title: Gamma Ray Imaging Observations of the Crab and Cygnus Regions
Astrophysics Data System Entry
Current Position: Professor, Dept. of Physics, University of New Hampshire
M.S. Thesis Projects
Marissa Louise Rousseau-Stitt
Graduation Date: 2013
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Energy Resolution Analysis of a Domestic Neutron Imager
Current Position: Teacher Pinkerton Academy, Derry, NH
Jason Legere
Graduation Date: 2005
Advisor: Mark McConnell
Thesis Title: Developing a Compton Polarimeter to Measure Polarization of Hard X-Rays in the 50-300 keV Energy Range
Thesis Availability:
Current Position: Project Manager, Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire
Mickel McClish
Graduation Date: 2002
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: The Characterization of Orthogonal Coplanar Strip CZT Detectors of 5 and 10 mm Thickness
Current Position: Senior Scientist and APD Production Manager at Radiation Monitoring, Devices, Inc., Watertown, MA
Kipp Larson
Graduation Date: 2000
Advisor: Dr. Alen D. Drake (Electrical Engineering)
Thesis Title: Analog Circuit for Measuring the Depth of Interaction of Gamma - Ray Events in a CZT Strip Detector with Coplanar Anodes
Current Position: Deputy Mission Operations Manager for Kepler Spacecraft, Ball Aerospace, Boulder, CO
Dr. Cornelia B. Wunderer
Graduation Date : 1997
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Feasibility Study of SONTRAC - A Neutron Tracking Telescope for Solar, Atmospheric and Other Applications
Current Position: Staff Scientist (Photon Science Division - Detector Group), DESY, Hamburg, Germany
C. Alex Young
Graduation Date: 1996
Advisor: Dawn Meredith (Physics)
Thesis Title: Wavelet Based Analysis of Cosmic Gamma-Ray Burst Time Series
Current Position: Solar Astrophysicist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Brian K. Dann
Graduation Date: 1996
Advisor: Allen Drake (Electrical Engineering)
Thesis Title: Front End Electronics Development for the Minute-of-Arc Resolution Gamma-Ray Imaging Experiment
Sandra J. Fletcher
Graduation Date: 1995
Advisor: Mark McConnell
Thesis Title: The Search for Celestial 2.2 MeV Neutron Capture Line
Thesis Availability:
Raid M. Suleiman
Graduation Date: 1995
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: COMPTEL Measurements of Nuclear Gamma-Ray Lines in Solar Flares
Current Position: Solar & Stellar Physics Division, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA
R. Marc Kippen
Graduation Date: 1991
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Monte Carlo Simulation of the COMPTEL Gamma-Ray Telescope
Current Position: Project Leader / Technical Staff Member, Space Science & Applications Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Kent Reinhard
Graduation Date: 1989
Advisor: James Ryan
Thesis Title: Neureal Network Approach to Event Location with an Anger Camera for Gamma-Ray Astronomy
Thesis Availability:
Current Position: Physics, Astronomy & Engineering Instructor, Southeast Community College, Lincoln, NE
Senior Thesis Projects
Shirley Dame
Graduation Date: 2011
Advisor: Mark McConnell
Project Title:A Study of the Orbital Neutron Albedo Flux with COMPTEL
Tuyen Nguyen
Graduation Date: 2008
Advisor: Mark McConnell
Project Title: INTEGRAL Analysis of a 2.2 MeV Source Candidate
Procheta Mallik
Graduation Date: 2005
Advisor: James Ryan
Project Title: Analysis and Design Optimization of FNIT - A Fast Neutron Imaging Telescope
Eric Foley
Graduation Date: 2003
Advisor: Mark McConnell
Project Title: Imaging the Gamma-Ray Sky at 2.2 MeV
Leila Mizouni
Graduation Date: 2002
Advisor: Mark McConnell
Project Title: A Study of Gamma-Ray Emissions from a Black Hole Binary System
