Professor
Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences


Research Office: ARL 175C
          Phone: 303-492-4056
Teaching Office: Duane F519
          Phone:


FAX: 303-492-5941
Email: webster.cash@colorado.edu

Planet Finding

The last decade has seen the opening of studies of planets around other stars, yet we still must infer their existence indirectly. I am working on alternative optical techniques that can lead to direct observation of these exo-planets.

X-ray Interferometry

For the last few years I have been trying to invent a new way of looking at objects in the sky.  X-rays, with their very short wavelengths have much lower diffraction effects than visible light and radio waves.  Therefore, if the right instrument can be built, astronomers would be able to view the sky with unprecedented resolution. The eventual goal of x-ray interferometry is to take a picture of black hole.

X-ray Spectroscopy

We are now actively engaged in developing diffraction gratings for the Constellation-X Mission. We are investigating the use of "off-plane" reflection gratings with the goal of improved spectral resolution.