Studying Variable Stars Using Small Telescopes
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High Precision Photometry of Transiting Exoplanets
McNair Scholars Research Journal Volume 3 Article 3 2016 High Precision Photometry of Transiting Exoplanets Maurice Wilson Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Jason Eastman Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics John Johnson Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.erau.edu/mcnair Recommended Citation Wilson, Maurice; Eastman, Jason; and Johnson, John (2016) "High Precision Photometry of Transiting Exoplanets," McNair Scholars Research Journal: Vol. 3 , Article 3. Available at: https://commons.erau.edu/mcnair/vol3/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in McNair Scholars Research Journal by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Wilson et al.: High Precision Photometry of Transiting Exoplanets High Precision Photometry of Transiting Exoplanets Maurice Wilson1,2, Jason Eastman2, and John Johnson2 1Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics In order to increase the rate of finding, confirming, and characterizing Earth-like exoplanets, the MINiature Exoplanet Radial Velocity Array (MINERVA) was recently built with the purpose of obtaining the spectroscopic and photometric precision necessary for these tasks. Achieving the satisfactory photometric precision is the primary focus of this work. This is done with the four telescopes of MINERVA and the defocusing technique. The satisfactory photometric precision derives from the defocusing technique. The use of MINERVA’s four telescopes benefits the relative photometry that must be conducted. Typically, it is difficult to find satisfactory comparison stars within a telescope’s field of view when the primary target is very bright. -
Practical Observational Astronomy Photometry
Practical Observational Astronomy Lecture 5 Photometry Wojtek Pych Warszawa, October 2019 History ● Hipparchos 190 – 120 B.C. visible stars divided into 6 magnitudes ● John Hershel 1792- 1871 → Norman Robert Pogson A.D. 1829 - 1891 I m I 1 =100 m1−m2=−2.5 log( ) I m+5 I 2 Visual Observations ●Argelander method ●Cuneiform photometer ●Polarimetric photometer Visual Observations Copyright AAVSO The American Association of Variable Star Observers Photographic Plates Blink comparator Scanning Micro-Photodensitometer Photographic plates Liller, Martha H.; 1978IBVS.1527....1L Photoelectric Photometer ● Photomultiplier tubes – Single star measurement – Individual photons Photoelectric Photometer ● 1953 - Harold Lester Johnson - UBV system – telescope with aluminium covered mirrors, – detector is photomultiplier 1P21, – for V Corning 3384 filter is used, – for B Corning 5030 + Schott CG13 filters are used, – for U Corning 9863 filter is used. – Telescope at altitude of >2000 meters to allow the detection of sufficent amount of UV light. UBV System Extensions: R,I ● William Wilson Morgan ● Kron-Cousins CCD Types of photometry ● Aperture ● Profile ● Image subtraction Aperture Photometry Aperture Photometry Profile Photometry Profile Photometry DAOphot ● Find stars ● Aperture photometry ● Point Spread Function ● Profile photometry Image Subtraction Image Subtraction ● Construct a template image – Select a number of best quality images – Register all images into a selected astrometric position ● Find common stars ● Calculate astrometric transformation -
Plotting Variable Stars on the H-R Diagram Activity
Pulsating Variable Stars and the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram The Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) Diagram: The H-R diagram is an important astronomical tool for understanding how stars evolve over time. Stellar evolution can not be studied by observing individual stars as most changes occur over millions and billions of years. Astrophysicists observe numerous stars at various stages in their evolutionary history to determine their changing properties and probable evolutionary tracks across the H-R diagram. The H-R diagram is a scatter graph of stars. When the absolute magnitude (MV) – intrinsic brightness – of stars is plotted against their surface temperature (stellar classification) the stars are not randomly distributed on the graph but are mostly restricted to a few well-defined regions. The stars within the same regions share a common set of characteristics. As the physical characteristics of a star change over its evolutionary history, its position on the H-R diagram The H-R Diagram changes also – so the H-R diagram can also be thought of as a graphical plot of stellar evolution. From the location of a star on the diagram, its luminosity, spectral type, color, temperature, mass, age, chemical composition and evolutionary history are known. Most stars are classified by surface temperature (spectral type) from hottest to coolest as follows: O B A F G K M. These categories are further subdivided into subclasses from hottest (0) to coolest (9). The hottest B stars are B0 and the coolest are B9, followed by spectral type A0. Each major spectral classification is characterized by its own unique spectra. -
“Astrometry/Photometry of Solar System Objects After Gaia”
ISSN 1621-3823 ISBN 2-910015-77-7 NOTES SCIENTIFIQUES ET TECHNIQUES DE L’INSTITUT DE MÉCANIQUE CÉLESTE S106 Proceedings of the Workshop and colloquium held at the CIAS (Meudon) on October 14-18, 2015 “Astrometry/photometry of Solar System objects after Gaia” Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides CNRS UMR 8028 / Observatoire de Paris 77, avenue Denfert-Rochereau 75014 Paris Mars 2017 Dépôt légal : Mars 2017 ISBN 2-910015-77-7 Foreword The modeling of the dynamics of the solar system needs astrometric observations made on a large interval of time to validate the scenarios of evolution of the system and to be able to provide ephemerides extrapolable in the next future. That is why observations are made regularly for most of the objects of the solar system. The arrival of the Gaia reference star catalogue will allow us to make astrometric reductions of observations with an increased accuracy thanks to new positions of stars and a more accurate proper motion. The challenge consists in increasing the astrometric accuracy of the reduction process. More, we should think about our campaigns of observations: due to this increased accuracy, for which objects, ground based observations will be necessary, completing space probes data? Which telescopes and targets for next astrometric observations? The workshop held in Meudon tried to answer these questions. Plans for the future have been exposed, results on former campaigns such as Phemu15 campaign, have been provided and amateur astronomers have been asked for continuing their participation to new observing campaigns of selected objects taking into account the new possibilities offered by the Gaia reference star catalogue. -
Light Curve Analysis of Variable Stars Using Fourier Decomposition and Principal Component Analysis
A&A 507, 1729–1737 (2009) Astronomy DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/200912851 & c ESO 2009 Astrophysics Light curve analysis of variable stars using Fourier decomposition and principal component analysis S. Deb1 andH.P.Singh1,2 1 Department of Physics & Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India e-mail: [email protected],[email protected] 2 CRAL-Observatoire de Lyon, CNRS UMR 142, 69561 Saint-Genis Laval, France Received 8 July 2009 / Accepted 1 September 2009 ABSTRACT Context. Ongoing and future surveys of variable stars will require new techniques to analyse their light curves as well as to tag objects according to their variability class in an automated way. Aims. We show the use of principal component analysis (PCA) and Fourier decomposition (FD) method as tools for variable star light curve analysis and compare their relative performance in studying the changes in the light curve structures of pulsating Cepheids and in the classification of variable stars. Methods. We have calculated the Fourier parameters of 17 606 light curves of a variety of variables, e.g., RR Lyraes, Cepheids, Mira Variables and extrinsic variables for our analysis. We have also performed PCA on the same database of light curves. The inputs to the PCA are the 100 values of the magnitudes for each of these 17 606 light curves in the database interpolated between phase 0 to 1. Unlike some previous studies, Fourier coefficients are not used as input to the PCA. Results. We show that in general, the first few principal components (PCs) are enough to reconstruct the original light curves compared to the FD method where 2 to 3 times more parameters are required to satisfactorily reconstruct the light curves. -
Luminous Blue Variables
Review Luminous Blue Variables Kerstin Weis 1* and Dominik J. Bomans 1,2,3 1 Astronomical Institute, Faculty for Physics and Astronomy, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany 2 Department Plasmas with Complex Interactions, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany 3 Ruhr Astroparticle and Plasma Physics (RAPP) Center, 44801 Bochum, Germany Received: 29 October 2019; Accepted: 18 February 2020; Published: 29 February 2020 Abstract: Luminous Blue Variables are massive evolved stars, here we introduce this outstanding class of objects. Described are the specific characteristics, the evolutionary state and what they are connected to other phases and types of massive stars. Our current knowledge of LBVs is limited by the fact that in comparison to other stellar classes and phases only a few “true” LBVs are known. This results from the lack of a unique, fast and always reliable identification scheme for LBVs. It literally takes time to get a true classification of a LBV. In addition the short duration of the LBV phase makes it even harder to catch and identify a star as LBV. We summarize here what is known so far, give an overview of the LBV population and the list of LBV host galaxies. LBV are clearly an important and still not fully understood phase in the live of (very) massive stars, especially due to the large and time variable mass loss during the LBV phase. We like to emphasize again the problem how to clearly identify LBV and that there are more than just one type of LBVs: The giant eruption LBVs or h Car analogs and the S Dor cycle LBVs. -
Detecting Differential Rotation and Starspot Evolution on the M Dwarf GJ 1243 with Kepler James R
Western Washington University Masthead Logo Western CEDAR Physics & Astronomy College of Science and Engineering 6-20-2015 Detecting Differential Rotation and Starspot Evolution on the M Dwarf GJ 1243 with Kepler James R. A. Davenport Western Washington University, [email protected] Leslie Hebb Suzanne L. Hawley Follow this and additional works at: https://cedar.wwu.edu/physicsastronomy_facpubs Part of the Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy Commons Recommended Citation Davenport, James R. A.; Hebb, Leslie; and Hawley, Suzanne L., "Detecting Differential Rotation and Starspot Evolution on the M Dwarf GJ 1243 with Kepler" (2015). Physics & Astronomy. 16. https://cedar.wwu.edu/physicsastronomy_facpubs/16 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Science and Engineering at Western CEDAR. It has been accepted for inclusion in Physics & Astronomy by an authorized administrator of Western CEDAR. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Astrophysical Journal, 806:212 (11pp), 2015 June 20 doi:10.1088/0004-637X/806/2/212 © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. DETECTING DIFFERENTIAL ROTATION AND STARSPOT EVOLUTION ON THE M DWARF GJ 1243 WITH KEPLER James R. A. Davenport1, Leslie Hebb2, and Suzanne L. Hawley1 1 Department of Astronomy, University of Washington, Box 351580, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; [email protected] 2 Department of Physics, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456, USA Received 2015 March 9; accepted 2015 May 6; published 2015 June 18 ABSTRACT We present an analysis of the starspots on the active M4 dwarf GJ 1243, using 4 years of time series photometry from Kepler. -
Stars IV Stellar Evolution Attendance Quiz
Stars IV Stellar Evolution Attendance Quiz Are you here today? Here! (a) yes (b) no (c) my views are evolving on the subject Today’s Topics Stellar Evolution • An alien visits Earth for a day • A star’s mass controls its fate • Low-mass stellar evolution (M < 2 M) • Intermediate and high-mass stellar evolution (2 M < M < 8 M; M > 8 M) • Novae, Type I Supernovae, Type II Supernovae An Alien Visits for a Day • Suppose an alien visited the Earth for a day • What would it make of humans? • It might think that there were 4 separate species • A small creature that makes a lot of noise and leaks liquids • A somewhat larger, very energetic creature • A large, slow-witted creature • A smaller, wrinkled creature • Or, it might decide that there is one species and that these different creatures form an evolutionary sequence (baby, child, adult, old person) Stellar Evolution • Astronomers study stars in much the same way • Stars come in many varieties, and change over times much longer than a human lifetime (with some spectacular exceptions!) • How do we know they evolve? • We study stellar properties, and use our knowledge of physics to construct models and draw conclusions about stars that lead to an evolutionary sequence • As with stellar structure, the mass of a star determines its evolution and eventual fate A Star’s Mass Determines its Fate • How does mass control a star’s evolution and fate? • A main sequence star with higher mass has • Higher central pressure • Higher fusion rate • Higher luminosity • Shorter main sequence lifetime • Larger -
69-22,173 MARKOWITZ, Allan Henry, 1941- a STUDY of STARS
This dissertation has been microfilmed exactly u received 6 9 -2 2 ,1 7 3 MARKOWITZ, Allan Henry, 1941- A STUDY OF STARS EXHIBITING COM POSITE SPECTRA. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1969 A stron om y University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan A STUDY OF STARS EXHIBITING COMPOSITE SPECTRA DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Allan Henry Markowitz, A.B., M.Sc. ******** The Ohio S ta te U n iv e rsity 1969 Approved by UjiIjl- A dviser Department of Astronomy ACKNOWLEDGMENTS It is a sincere pleasure to thank my adviser, Professor Arne Slettebak, who originally suggested this problem and whose advice and encouragement were indispensable throughout the course of the research. I am also greatly indebted to Professor Philip Keenan for help in classifying certain late-type spectra and to Professor Terry Roark for instructing me in the operation of the Perkins Observatory telescope, I owe a special debt of gratitude to Dr. Carlos Jaschek of the La Plata Observatory for his inspiration, advice, and encourage ment. The Lowell Observatory was generous in providing extra telescope time when the need arose. I wish to particularly thank Dr. John Hall for this and for his interest. I also gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Perkins Observatory staff. To my wife, Joan, I owe my profound thanks for her devotion and support during the seemingly unending tenure as a student. I am deeply grateful to my mother for her eternal confidence and to my in-laws for their encouragement. -
The Impact of the Astro2010 Recommendations on Variable Star Science
The Impact of the Astro2010 Recommendations on Variable Star Science Corresponding Authors Lucianne M. Walkowicz Department of Astronomy, University of California Berkeley [email protected] phone: (510) 642–6931 Andrew C. Becker Department of Astronomy, University of Washington [email protected] phone: (206) 685–0542 Authors Scott F. Anderson, Department of Astronomy, University of Washington Joshua S. Bloom, Department of Astronomy, University of California Berkeley Leonid Georgiev, Universidad Autonoma de Mexico Josh Grindlay, Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Steve Howell, National Optical Astronomy Observatory Knox Long, Space Telescope Science Institute Anjum Mukadam, Department of Astronomy, University of Washington Andrej Prsa,ˇ Villanova University Joshua Pepper, Villanova University Arne Rau, California Institute of Technology Branimir Sesar, Department of Astronomy, University of Washington Nicole Silvestri, Department of Astronomy, University of Washington Nathan Smith, Department of Astronomy, University of California Berkeley Keivan Stassun, Vanderbilt University Paula Szkody, Department of Astronomy, University of Washington Science Frontier Panels: Stars and Stellar Evolution (SSE) February 16, 2009 Abstract The next decade of survey astronomy has the potential to transform our knowledge of variable stars. Stellar variability underpins our knowledge of the cosmological distance ladder, and provides direct tests of stellar formation and evolution theory. Variable stars can also be used to probe the fundamental physics of gravity and degenerate material in ways that are otherwise impossible in the laboratory. The computational and engineering advances of the past decade have made large–scale, time–domain surveys an immediate reality. Some surveys proposed for the next decade promise to gather more data than in the prior cumulative history of astronomy. -
Chapter 16 the Sun and Stars
Chapter 16 The Sun and Stars Stargazing is an awe-inspiring way to enjoy the night sky, but humans can learn only so much about stars from our position on Earth. The Hubble Space Telescope is a school-bus-size telescope that orbits Earth every 97 minutes at an altitude of 353 miles and a speed of about 17,500 miles per hour. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) transmits images and data from space to computers on Earth. In fact, HST sends enough data back to Earth each week to fill 3,600 feet of books on a shelf. Scientists store the data on special disks. In January 2006, HST captured images of the Orion Nebula, a huge area where stars are being formed. HST’s detailed images revealed over 3,000 stars that were never seen before. Information from the Hubble will help scientists understand more about how stars form. In this chapter, you will learn all about the star of our solar system, the sun, and about the characteristics of other stars. 1. Why do stars shine? 2. What kinds of stars are there? 3. How are stars formed, and do any other stars have planets? 16.1 The Sun and the Stars What are stars? Where did they come from? How long do they last? During most of the star - an enormous hot ball of gas day, we see only one star, the sun, which is 150 million kilometers away. On a clear held together by gravity which night, about 6,000 stars can be seen without a telescope. -
Starspot Temperature Along the HR Diagram
Mem. S.A.It. Suppl. Vol. 9, 220 Memorie della c SAIt 2006 Supplementi Starspot temperature along the HR diagram K. Biazzo1, A. Frasca2, S. Catalano2, E. Marilli2, G. W. Henry3, and G. Tasˇ 4 1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, e-mail: [email protected] 2 INAF - Catania Astrophysical Observatory, via S. Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy 3 Tennessee State University - Center of Excellence in Information Systems, 330 10th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37203-3401 4 Ege University Observatory - 35100 Bornova, Izmir˙ , Turkey Abstract. The photospheric temperature of active stars is affected by the presence of cool starspots. The determination of the spot configuration and, in particular, spot temperatures and sizes, is important for understanding the role of the magnetic field in blocking the convective heating flux inside starspots. It has been demonstrated that a very sensitive di- agnostic of surface temperature in late-type stars is the depth ratio of weak photospheric absorption lines (e.g. Gray & Johanson 1991, Catalano et al. 2002). We have shown that it is possible to reconstruct the distribution of the spots, along with their sizes and tempera- tures, from the application of a spot model to the light and temperature curves (Frasca et al. 2005). In this work, we present and briefly discuss results on spot sizes and temperatures for stars in various locations in the HR diagram. Key words. Stars: activity - Stars: variability - Stars: starspot 1. Introduction Table 1. Star sample. Within a large program aimed at studying the behaviour of photospheric surface inhomo- Star Sp.