Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Observations have revealed a class of objects that simultaneously exhibit evidence for a quasar and a massive, luminous, moderately-aged starburst (~10^10 M and ~100 Myr). These post-starburst quasars (PSQs) may be an important link in the evolutionary history of galaxies, providing insight into the transformation from young, blue, early-type star-forming galaxies to older, red, late-type quiescent galaxies. Although studies of composite objects like PSQs have become more common, surveys with the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) provide a unique opportunity to study a statistically significant population at wavelengths underutilized in the literature. For our sample, we have spectroscopically-selected 609 PSQs from SDSS DR3 based on the strength of the Balmer jump and the H absorption line. Here, we report on the methods used to conduct FUV and NUV photometric measurements for the 529 objects observed by GALEX and present the rst results, including GALEX-SDSS colors. We also discuss the status of ongoing work using GALEX photometry to explore the overall UV properties of post-starburst quasars and consider the use of UV excesses to probe the existence of young stars (as young as several Myr old) formed after the starburst.Type
textElectronic Thesis
Degree Name
B.S.Degree Level
bachelorsDegree Program
Honors CollegePhysics