20th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Neglected Binary Star Parameters Determined From Archival Images and Direct Observation
Catherine S. Hayward
Dr. Matthew M. Beaky, Faculty Mentor
Knowledge of the orbital parameters of binary systems is critical to understanding stellar properties and stellar evolution of the 150,000 known or suspected binary systems, one-third do not have well-determined values of separation or position angle, and are called “neglected binaries.” High resolution images of the sky spanning almost 50 years are available for download from the internet, and constitute a valuable resource for research on the time evolution of binary star systems. In this research project, a methodology was developed for calculating the separation and position angle for binary star systems from these images. This method was then applied to determine the variables for over 20 binary stars. Finally, these were also measured at the Truman Observatory.
Keywords: Binary Star, Astronomy
Topic(s):Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 28-1
Location: VH 1416
Time: 9:45 am