Andreas Kelz: Research projects

Andreas Kelz

PhD (University of Sydney)
MSc (University of Technology Darmstadt)

Summary:

Andreas Kelz currently works as Postdoctoral Scientist within the Optical Instrumentation Group at the Astrophysical Institute Postdam AIP , where he is involved in the design, construction, assembly, tests and commissioning of new astronomical instrumentation (such as PMAS, PPAK, MUSE-CU, RAVE spectrograph) and contributes to the ULTROS and Euro3D projects.

He obtained his PhD at the University of Sydney , where he developed and commissioned a new fiber-linked spectrophotometric system (SUSPECT & STEFFI) and observed bright, southern stars for his thesis project 'Relative Stellar Fluxes with a new Fiber-Fed Spectrophotometer'.

Previously he completed a Physik-Diplom (MSc) at the University of Technology Darmstadt, with a thesis topic about 'Investigation of Instabilities in Three Dimensional Boundary Layers'.

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Research Interests / Project Involvements :

ULTROS, ultra-deep spectroscopy using integral field instruments

3D Spectroscopy of galactic and extragalactic Planetary Nebulae

Crowded Field 3D Spectroscopy

Fundamental Properties of Stars

Aerodynamics and Atmospherical Turbulence

Development of Astronomical Instrumentation :

PMAS

the Potsdam Multi-Aperture Spectrophotomer

PPak

the fiber-bundle Package IFU for PMAS

SUSPECT

STEFFI

MUSE

RAVE

Research Training Network to Promote 3D Spectroscopy in Europe

Past and Present Research :

from 1999 - now: Postdoc Research Position
Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam

Projects:

Commissioning of the Potsdam Multi-Aperture Spectrophotometer PMAS , (P.I.: M.M. Roth)

Development and commissioning of the PPak fiber-bundle IFU , (P.I.: M. Verheijen)

Phase A study of the Calibration Unit for MUSE , (P.I.: R. Bacon)

Development of ultra-deep optical spectroscopy (with nod-and-shuffle and IFS) , (P.I.: M.M. Roth)

Director: Prof. Matthias Steinmetz, Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam
Group Leader: Dr. Martin M. Roth, Optical Instrumentation Group, AIP

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1994 - 1998: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
University of Sydney

Thesis title: Relative Stellar Fluxes with a New Fibre-Fed Spectrophotometer

Abstract: The Sydney University Spectrometer (SUSPECT) has been built
to investigate the photometric stability of a fibre-fed system when attached
to a small or medium sized telescope. With this system the relative stellar
fluxes of bright, single, southern stars have been measured. The thesis
describes the development of the instrument and presents its first stellar spectra.

Advisors: Prof. John Davis, Chatterton Astronomy Department, University of Sydney
Dr. Andrew Booth, Jet Propulsion Laboratory , Pasadena

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1987 - 1993: Diplom-Physiker (Master of Science)
University of Technology Darmstadt

Thesis title: Investigation of Instabilities in Three Dimensional Boundary Layers

Abstract: The Laminar Wing Project was aimed to measure and predict the stability
of the boundary layer of an aircraft wing without disrupting the air flow. For this
thesis hotfilm technology was used to measure the laminar flow and lateral-flow instabilities
across a swept wing during a wind tunnel experiment. Analysis software has been developed to
distinguish successfully between laminar, transitional and turbulent boundary layers.

Advisors: Prof. B. Ewald, Institute of Aerodynamics , TU Darmstadt, Germany
Prof. W. Lauterborn, Institute of Applied Physics , TU Darmstadt

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