The Study of Variable Stars
The objective of the experiment is to discover variable stars and their properties that change the view of transients in space. The astrophysics research of pulsating variable stars in the outside world helps astronomers further understand the universe. The question posed in this experiment is “Is there periodicity in the change in magnitude of pulsating variable stars?”
The target of the experiment is to determine periodicity of pulsating variable stars by comparing a multitude of images of a variable star, using the ROTSE IDL routine3 POLYWARP Computer Program, taken by land telescopes of the same area of space over a few days. When comparing the images, a variable star and many reference stars are chosen. The magnitudes of the stars in each image are compared to the magnitudes of the stars in the next and the change in magnitude is graphed on a light curve. When the light curve is created, the period is given and is used for analyzing the transient. It was determined that there is periodicity in variable stars. Thirty variable stars were classified from the analysis of their light curves through the experiment. In addition to classifying the variable stars, the researchers discovered one variable star and co-authored two supernovae sightings.
Research Done By:
Patricia Pasque
Cousino High School
Matthew Verkinderen
Cousino High School
Warren Consolidated Schools