Overview

Computational Astrophysics

Ph.D., University of Kentucky, 1997

Dr. Ferguson’s research is in the area of computational astrophysics focusing on the tabulation of mean opacities of stellar environments. Mean opacities are required by researchers calculating the transfer of radiation astrophysical situations, for example in the models of stars. He also collaborates with stellar evolution specialists in the study of the populations of stars, such as globular clusters; in the search for understanding of the chemical enrichment of old star populations. 

Information

Areas of Research Interest

Dr. Ferguson’s research is in the area of computational astrophysics focusing on the tabulation of mean opacities of stellar environments. Mean opacities are required by researchers calculating the transfer of radiation astrophysical situations, for example in the models of stars. He also collaborates with stellar evolution specialists in the study of the populations of stars, such as globular clusters; in the search for understanding of the chemical enrichment of old star populations.

Publications
  • “Constraints on the Distance Moduli, Helium, and Metal Abundances, and Ages of Globular Clusters from Their RR Lyrae and Non-variable Horizontal Branch Stars. II. Multiple Stellar Populations in 47 Tuc, M3, and M13”, Denissenkov, Pavel A.; VandenBerg, Don A.; Kopacki, Grzegorz; Ferguson, Jason W., 2017, ApJ, 849, 159
  • “The Effects of Individual Metal Contents on Isochrones for C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, and Fe”, Beom, M., Na, C., Ferguson, J.W. Kim, Y.-C 2016, ApJ, 826, 155.
  • “New Solar Composition: The problem with Solar Models Revisited”, Serenelli A.M., Basu S., Ferguson J.W., Asplund M. 2009, ApJL, 705, L123
  • “The Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database”, A. Dotter, B. Chaboyer, D. Jevremovic, V. Kostov, E. Baron, J.W. Ferguson 2008, Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 178, 89.
  • “Low Temperature Opacities”, Ferguson, J.W., Alexander, D.R., Allard, F., Barman, T., Bodnarik, J.G., Hauschildt, P.H., Heffner-Wong, A., Tamanai, A. 2005, Astrophysical Journal, 623, 585.
  • “Low Temperature Rosseland Opacities”, Alexander, D.R. & Ferguson, J.W. 1994, Astrophysical Journal, 437, 879.