I am an astronomer in the Physics Department at Central Washington University.
As a postdoc at the University of Victoria/NRC Herzberg, I worked with Herschel Space Observatory data to study both high and low mass star formation regions.
I completed my PhD at the University of Heidelberg/Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany. My research focused on high mass star formation.
Sometimes I spend summers teaching at the Summer Science Program or Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics.
In addition to my professional interests of astronomy/physics teaching and research, I enjoy road biking, bicycle touring, backpacking, traveling, amateur astronomy, rock climbing, and partner dancing/acrobatics.
Teaching
Central Washington University:
- AY 2022-2023: General Physics III (PHYS 183), Observational Astronomy (PHYS 303), Stellar Astrophysics (PHYS 301)
- AY 2021-2022: Intro Astronomy (PHYS 101), Physics of Dance (PHYS/DANC 109), Math for Intro Physics (PHYS 110), General Physics III (PHYS 183), Observational Astronomy (PHYS 303), Astrobiology (PHYS 304), Optics (PHYS 363),
- AY 2020-2021: Intro Astronomy (PHYS 101- hybrid), Intro Physics I (PHYS 111-online), Stellar Astrophysics (PHYS 301-online), Observational Astronomy (PHYS 303-hybrid), Optics (PHYS 363-hybrid)
- AY 2019 - 2020: Intro Astronomy (PHYS 101), Intro Physics I & II (PHYS 111/112), General Physics III (PHYS 183-online), Modern Physics II (Phys 318), Operation & Research Techniques for Small Observatories (PHYS 201-online)
- AY 2018 - 2019: Intro Astronomy (PHYS 101), Intro Physics I, II & III (PHYS 111/112/113), Stellar Astrophysics I & II (PHYS 301 & 302), Operation & Research Techniques for Small Observatories (PHYS 201)
- AY 2017 - 2018: Intro Astronomy (PHYS 101), Intro Physics I , II, & III (PHYS 111/112/113)
- AY 2016 - 2017: Intro Astronomy (PHYS 101), Intro Physics I & II (PHYS 111/112), Stellar Astrophysics I & II (PHYS 301 & 302), Operation & Research Techniques for Small Observatories (PHYS 201)
AY 2015 - 2016: Intro Astronomy (PHYS 101) (1x traditional, 1x online), Intro Physics I & II (PHYS 111/112)
- Instructor for Intro to Astronomy and the Night Sky
Central Washington University:
- Instructor for Introductory Astronomy (PHYS 101)
Whitman College:
- Instructor for Principles of Astronomy (ASTR 110) (2x), Stellar Astrophysics (ASTR 310)
Wesleyan University:
- TA for Descriptive Astronomy (ASTR 105), Observational Astronomy (ASTR 211), Introductory Astronomy (ASTR 155)
- Lab Instructor for The Planets (ASTR 103)
- Lab instructor for Wavefront Analysis
Research Interests
My primary research interests are in star formation. I have analyzed Herschel Space Observatory data of high and low mass star forming regions (NGC 7538, Cepheus, Auriga) as part of the HOBYS and Gould Belt Survey teams (postdoc). Using predominantly Submillimeter Array, IRAM 30-meter and Plateau de Bure Interferometer data, I looked at case studies of high mass star formation in IRAS 18223-3, IRAS 18151, and IRAS 18507 (PhD). I have also studied the ultraviolet variability of T Tauri stars and searched for molecular outflows in the COMPLETE Survey (MA and Undergrad Internship).
I (and collaborators) have received an NSF grant to build a spectrograph for the CWU 0.6-meter research telescope. Eventually, research will focus on radial velocity measurements in the search for exoplanets.
I have been the faculty advisor for the following undergraduate researchers:
- Hannah Williams: Asteroid tracking w/submission to Minor Planet Center
- Chris Manry: Asteroid tracking w/submission to Minor Planet Center
- Haider Khan: Calculating Neptune's location given location of other planets
- Sean Benson: Measuring supernova light curves
- Natalie Velez: Confirming exoplanet transits with the 0.6-meter Research Telescope
- Isaac Smith: Confirming exoplanet transits with the 0.6-meter Research Telescope & spectrograph assembly/installation/commissioning
- Josh McRae: Confirming exoplanet transits with the 0.6-meter Research Telescope
- Makaila Purhmann: Confirming exoplanet transits with the 0.6-meter Research Telescope
- Connor Bronson-Doherty: Measuring the variability of Betelgeuse & Measuring supernova light curves
- Josie Fenske: Runaway Stars in NGC 7538 & Spectrograph optics alignment
- Griffin Running: Runaway Stars in NGC 7538
- David Buehler: observations of potentially hazardous asteroid 2017 VR12
& observing binary eclipses in TX UMa and EG Cep & light pollution in Ellensburg - Max Lightning: observing binary eclipses in TZ Lyr and W UMa
- Brad Johnson: observing binary eclipses in UV Leo and TW Dra
- Ashlie Nelson: monitoring Ellensburg night sky conditions
- Kara Meyer: developing course materials for a Physics of Dance course
- Amber Benson: testing spectrograph CCD properties
- Jacob Willard: testing spectrograph CCD properties
- Corey Patrick: commissioning CWU research telescope
- Michael Haire: designing and building a Reuben's Box
- Breanna Lopez: Miriad analysis of CARMA data
- Jason Arakawa: Runaway Stars as a Possible Source of the Elliptical Ring Structure in NGC 7538
- Jessica Sutter: Orientation of Herschel prestellar cores relative to filaments in Cepheus
- Emma Dahl: Orientation of Herschel prestellar cores relative to filaments in Cepheus
- Ethan Dederick: Determining Radial Profiles for Prestellar Cores Detected with Herschel
- Danny Smith: Three color images of Herschel Gould Belt Survey Cepheus regions
I have given public talks about:
- Stellar: The Formation of Stars
- Building a spectrograph & finding radial velocity exoplanets
- Debris in Space (aka Space Junk)
- Astronomy at Sea (Teaching on Semester At Sea)
- Solar & Lunar Eclipses
- Learning and teaching astronomy in southern Africa
Cassandra's Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications:
- Fenske, Arakawa, Fallscheer, Di Francesco, 2021, Runaway Stars as Possible Sources of the Elliptical Ring Structures in NGC 7538, AJ, 161, 156
- Kinoshita, Nakamura, Nguyen-Luong, et al., 2021, Cloud structures in M 17 SWex : Possible cloud-cloud collision, PASJ, 73, 300
- Di Francesco, Keown, Fallscheer, et al., 2020, Herschel Gould Belt Survey Observations of Dense Cores in the Cepheus Flare Clouds, ApJ, 904, 172
- Silva, Zhang, Sanhueze, Lu, Beltran, Fallscheer, et al., 2017, SMA Observations of the Hot Molecular Core IRAS 18566+0408, ApJ, 847, 87
- Fallscheer, Reid, Di Francesco, Martin, Hill, et al., 2013, Herschel Reveals Massive Cold Clumps in NGC 7538, ApJ, 773, 102
- Harvey, Fallscheer, Ginsburg, Terebey, André, et al., 2013, A First Look at the Auriga-California GMC With Herschel and the CSO, ApJ, 764, 133
- Qiu, Zhang, Beuther & Fallscheer, 2012, Forming an O Star via Disk Accretion? ApJ, 756, 170
- Wang, Beuther, Zhang, Bik, Rodón, Jiang & Fallscheer, 2012, Different Evolutionary Stages in the Massive Star-forming Region W3 Main Complex, A&A, 540, 11
- Sadavoy, Di Francesco, André, Pezzuto, Bernard, Bontemps, Bressert, Chitsazzadeh, Fallscheer, et al., 2012, Herschel observations of a potential core-forming clump: Perseus B1-E, A&A, 540, 10
- Cesaroni, Beltrán, Zhang, Beuther & Fallscheer, 2011, Dissecting a hot molecular core: the case of G31.41+0.31, A&A, 533, 73
- Beltrán, Cesaroni, Zhang, Galván-Madrid, Beuther, Fallscheer, et al., 2011, Molecular outflows and hot molecular cores in G24.78+0.08 at sub-arcseond angular resolution, A&A, 532, 91
- Fallscheer, Beuther, Sauter, Wolf & Zhang, 2011, A High-mass Dusty Disk Candidate: the Case of IRAS 18151-1208, ApJ, 729, 66
- Fallscheer, Beuther, Zhang, Keto & Sridharan, 2009 Rotational structure and outflow in the infrared dark cloud 18223-3, A&A, 504, 127
- Fallscheer & Herbst, 2006, Testing the Disk-locking Paradigm: An Association between U-V Excess and Rotation in NGC 2264, ApJ, 647, 155
Conference Proceedings:
- Recent Advances In Star Formation - Bangalore, India - June 2011: High Mass Star Formation in the Herschel Era: Highlights of the HOBYS Key Program (pdf)
-
SPIE - December 2021: A high-resolution echelle spectrograph for precision Doppler observations with small telescopes (co-author)
Theses (available upon request):
- PhD - The Role of Disks in Massive Star Formation
- Master - A Photometric Study of the T Tauri Star Population of NGC 2264
- Bachelor - A COMPLETE Search for Young Stellar Outflows
Useful Astronomy Links
- Heavens Above - Solar System and satellite data
- For Ellensburg
- Astronomical Weather Forecast - Cloud Cover, seeing, transparency, etc.
- For CWU Observatory & Manastash Ridge Observatory
- IAU Minor Planet Center - Asteroids, Comets, and other solar system "debris" including ephemeris generation
- JPL HORIZONS - Ephemeris Generator
- Astronomy Picture of the Day - A daily astronomy-related image with description
- Sky Map - Monthly sky charts for northern/southern hemisphere (free download)
- Space Weather - Information about the sun's current condition
- SAO DS9 Imaging Software Users Manual
- NASA Exoplanet Archive
- NASA Kids Club - activities and information for younger kids
- NASA Education for Students and Teachers - grade specific information for students and educators