$\Sigma(1385)$ Resonance Studies and Pentaquark Search with STAR

The high energies and particle densities resulting from collisions at RHIC 
are expected to favour resonance and pentaquark production. 

Evolution of the fireball can be studied with the identified resonances 
due to their short lifetimes ($c_{\tau}$~ few fm), via possible medium 
effects observed in high energy nuclear reactions. Comparisons of  the 
$\Sigma(1385)$ resonance yields from p+p to Au+Au collisons at 
$\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV with other resonances can be used to constrain 
and possibly determine the timescale between chemical and thermal 
freezeout. 

Resonance identification techniques can be used in the search for 
pentaquarks due to their expected short lifetimes. We shall report 
on the progress of the $\Sigma(1385)$ analysis and  pentaquark search in 
the various collision environments.