Dr. James R. Webb Professor
 Observational Extra-galactic Astronomy

Nebula Collection

Crab Nebula

Crab Nebula

NGC3324

NGC3324

V838

V838

NGC2264

NGC2264

Cats Eye Nebula

Cats Eye Nebula

Helix Nebula

Helix Nebula

Retina Nebula

Retina Nebula

Galaxy Collection

M104

Sombrero Galaxy

NGC1300

Barred Spiral Galaxy

M64

Black Eye Galaxy

NGC7674

Interacting Galaxy

NGC4676

The Mice

M51

The Whirlpool Galaxy

Solar System

Earth

Earth

Jupiter

Jupiter

Mars

Mars

Neptune

Neptune

Saturn

Saturn

Uranus

Uranus

Venus

Venus
Courses Taught

"Life in the Universe" (AST 2037): This is a new course which is designed for the interested student to scientifically expolre the possibility of life elsewhere in the Universe. Speculation about alien life has occupied people's mind since the times of the ancient Greeks, but only recently are we in a position to actually explore this interesting subject in a meaningful way. This is a Science course, all idle speculation, religious beliefs, and fanciful ideas will be checked at the door! Special attention will be given to the conditions on the Planet Earth that seems to be necessary for the survival of life. Most of the time will be spent on studying possible ways to communicate over the vast distances of interstellar space and the possibility that we could recognize a signal from a distant technical society.

"Solar System Astronomy" AST 2201: This course will offer you a glimpse of the vast and complex universe we inhabit, concentrating on the Solar system in which we live. The first part of the semester we will concentrate on the history and fundamentals of modern astronomy and the remainder of the semester will consist of an in-depth study of the origin, characteristics and future of our Solar system. Included will be discussions of the information obtained about the planets and their moons by spacecraft.

"Descriptive Astronomy" AST 1002: This course will offer you a glimpse of the vast and complex universe we inhabit, concentrating on the formation of stars and galaxies. The first part of the semester we will concentrate on the history and fundamentals of modern astronomy and the remainder of the semester will consist of an in-depth study of Stellar and Extragalactic astronomy.

"Modern Astrophysics" AST 2306:

"Extragalactic Astrophysics" AST 5204 (Graduate class): This class will focus on the study of the creation and evolution of the universe at large, including the basic macroscopic building blocks (galaxies) and the overall large-scale structure.

"Seminar on General Relativity" (Graduate class): The course is basically an introduction to general relativity including the use of differential geometry and tensor analysis. Special relativity and tensor theory will be discussed initially, followed by a tour through General Relativity. Deviation from Newtonian gravity and observational tests of both special and general relativity will be discussed where appropriate.

"Physics of Music" (Graduate Class):



Research Interests

Quasars and Active Galactic Nuclei
Multifrequency Variability of Blazars
Time Series Analysis


Astronomical Telescopes Used in Research

SARA Telescope (optical)
International Ultraviolet Explorer (UV)
Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (High Energy)
EINSTEIN, EXOSAT, ROSAT and XTE (X-ray)


Recent Publications

MicroVariability of Blazars: Correlations and Duty Cycles.
J. R., Webb 2007 AAS/AAPT meeting 210, #02.02,2007
Simultaneous Observations of 0716+71,
Pollock, J. T., Webb,J, R., Azarnia, G. AJ, 133,287, 2007.
Wavelet Analysis of Blazar Microvariability,
Humrickhouse, C, Webb, J., JSARA, vol #2, 2007.


Books Edited

Blazar Microvariabilty Workshop II: Entering the GLAST Era. 2005
Edited by: H.R. Miller, K. Marshall, J.R. Webb, and M. F. Aller,
Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series, volume 350.
Blazar Continuum Variability Workshop - 1995
Edited by H. R. Miller, J. C. Noble,a nd J. R. Webb,
Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series, Volume 110.


Professional Memberships

SARA Board of Directors
Full Member of the American Astronomical Society AAS
Planetary Society member PS
Southern Cross Astronomical Societymember
Member of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of the Paranormal (CSICOP)


Dr. James R. Webb
Information
Director, SARA Observatory
Professor of Physics
SARA Board of Directors
Education
Ph.D. in Astronomy
University of Florida, 1988
M.A in Astronomy
University of Florida, 1985
Bachelors of Physics
Ball State University, 1981
Honors
/tr>
> Excellence in Teaching Award (TIP), 1995
> Presidents Teaching Award, 1998
> Faculty Teaching Award, Fall 1999
> Faculty Service Award, Fall 2002
> Physics department certificate of Appreciation for organization of the departments star parties and public lecture series
> "Oscar" recipient from Southern Cross Astronomical Society for public outreach and education efforts, Spring 2008
> Excellence in Teaching Faculty Award, September 22, 2010.
> Finalist, Worlds Ahead Faculty Award, September 11, 2011.
> Faculty Award for Excellence in Engagement,Septmeber 27, 2012
Activities
> Published over 60 refereed scientific articles in extragalactic astrophysics
> Editor of conference proceedings in Extragalactic Astronomy
> Analyzed data from several NASA satellites and many ground-based telescopes in research
> Currently director of the SARA observatory at Kitt Peak National Observatory
> Contributed to over 60 papers presented at scientific conferences


Department of Physics
Florida International University
Miami, FL 33199

Office: CP 222
Phone: (305) 348-3964
Fax: (305) 348-1600
eMail: webbj@fiu.edu