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J. A. Kowinsky, J. J. Smetanka (Saint Vincent College)
The optical depth of spiral galaxy disks has many serious cosmological implications. We present here computer simulations of a systematic method developed to probe the optical thickness of a large number of nearby spiral galaxies. This method utilizes observations of the globular cluster systems of these spiral galaxies that will be observed in large-scale multiband photometric surveys currently underway such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The results of the computer simulation will be presented and the systematics and sensativity of the method as well as its potential application will be discussed. J.A.K. would like to acknowledge support from the Saint Vincent College A.J. Palumbo Student Research Fund.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: smetanka@acad1.stvincent.edu