18th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Observation of Double Stars Using a Filar Micrometer
Amenyedu D. Adovor
Dr. Matthew M. Beaky, Faculty Mentor
The observation of double stars remains an important field of study because the calculation of binary star orbits is still the only means for determining the absolute mass of stars. Information obtained from studying double stars is also of vital importance in developing theories of stellar evolution. In this project, we designed and constructed a filar micrometer, which is a device used to measure the angular separation and polar angle of binary stars. By measuring the angular separation of documented double stars and plotting these values against their literature values, a calibration curve was generated for the filar micrometer. A methodology was also developed for measuring the polar angle of double stars. Measurements have been made for several “neglected” double stars, which includes binary systems that have not been resolved for many years.
Keywords: methodology, separation , Double Stars, filar micrometer , calibration
Topic(s):Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 24-2
Location: VH 1412
Time: 10:00