Department of Astronomy

Dr. Maas is interested in connecting the composition of stars to 1) the formation of the Milky Way galaxy (Galactic Archaeology), 2) the creation of elements through nuclear fusion, 3) characterizing exoplanet compositions using host star chemical abundances. To this end, Dr. Maas utilizes both surveys, such as data from the Gaia satellite, along with precise measurements from follow-up with large telescopes. His current projects include studying the distribution of critical elements for life, in the Milky Way and beyond, and discerning the chemical make-up of exoplanet hosts.

 

Dr. Maas grew up in Minneapolis and completed two B.Sc. in physics and astrophysics from the University of Minnesota in 2014. He then completed his Ph.D. at Indiana University in 2020 studying the chemical evolution of chlorine and phosphorus. He next went to UT Austin and was the Harlan. J. Smith Postdoctoral Fellow at the McDonald Observatory. He now has re-joined IU as a visiting assistant professor in the fall of 2022.  

 

 “The Galactic Distribution of Phosphorus: A Survey of 163 Disk and Halo Stars” Maas, Z. G., Hawkins, K., Hinkel, N. R., et al. 2022, AJ, 164, 61

“The Galactic Chemical Evolution of Chlorine”, Maas, Z. G. & Pilachowski C. A., 2021, AJ, 161, 183

“Carbon Isotope Ratios in M10 Giants”, Maas, Z. G., Gerber, J., M., Diebel, A., & Pilachowski C. A., 2019, ApJ, 878, 43

Full Bibliography Located Here: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/public-libraries/Q43YhdE3T1uJ8BYDQKY9jg

A103: The Search for Life in the Universe

A107: The Art of Astronomy