How to model isochrones using images of star clusters

Originally broadcast on April 29, 2023.

Star clusters have been described as ideal astrophysical "laboratories" because differences between the stars within them can be attributed completely to variations in initial mass. Students are drawn in by the alluringly beautiful images of the clusters, and are excited to construct lovely color images of them. This in turn motivates them to learn about some of the (equally stunning!) physics which can be revealed by the colors in their image. It is a rewarding marriage of art and science!

*Kalée Tock* earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Harvard University, and an M.S. from the Stanford University Department of Chemistry. She then earned a second Master's degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from the Stanford School of Education. She has been a science instructor at Stanford Online High School for 11 years, teaching Astronomy for the most recent 6 of those years. She now teaches three different Astronomy courses there: Astrophysics, Astrobiology, and an Astronomy Research Seminar.