James Sowell, Senior Academic Professional and Graduate Recruiter

Contact Information   Email: jim.sowell@physics.gatech.edu   Phone: (404) 385-1294   Web: http://www.astronomy.gatech.edu/   Office: W102 Howey Physics Bldg

Research

Binary stars are extremely important objects because they are used to determine stellar masses and other key parameters. However, for systems with extremely short periods, the two stellar components can influence each other in a variety of ways. For example, as one star begins to evolve and expand in size, the Roche gravitational limit can be reached. Then substantial stellar mass might be transferred from the larger star to the smaller one or it might be completely lost from the system. Immense magnetic fields may also play a role in these dynamic binary systems, producing starspots hundreds of times larger than those seen on the Sun. Orbital periods can change due to these and to relativistic effects. Past research has included stellar classification spectra, speckle binaries, open clusters, and statistical studies based on the Michigan Spectral Catalogue.

Selected Publications

Selected Publications (all papers -- click here)

• Tucker, R.S., Sowell, J.R., Williamon, R.M., & Coughlin, J. L., Orbital Solutions and Absolute Elements of the Eclipsing Binary MY Cygni, Astronomical Journal, (submitted).
• Sowell, J.R., Trippe, M., Caballero-Nieves, S.M., & Houk, N., HR Diagrams Based on the HD Stars in the Michigan Spectral Catalogue and the Hipparcos Catalogue, Astronomical Journal, 134, 1089-1102, 2007.
• Caballero-Nieves, S.M., Sowell, J.R., & Houk, N., Galactic Distributions and Statistics of the HD Stars in the Michigan Spectral Catalogue, Astronomical Journal, 134, 1072-1088, 2007.

Professional Experience

• 2006 - Director, Georgia Tech Observatory
• 2004 - Senior Academic Professional, School of Physics, Georgia Tech
• 1999 - 2004 Academic Professional, School of Physics, Georgia Tech
• 1992 - 1999 Lecturer, School of Physics, Georgia Tech