23rd Annual Student Research Conference
CCD Photometry of Eclipsing Binary Star Systems
Colleen M. Campbell
Dr. Matthew M. Beaky, Faculty Mentor
Eclipsing binary systems contain two starts that orbit around a common center of mass and eclipse one another twice per orbit. Light curves are graphs of the variation in brightness of the eclipsing binary system over time, and are created from images captured by a telescope and a CCD camera. From the light curve, an accurate model of the eclipsing binary system can be developed, including physical parameters such as mass ratio, temperature ratio, and inclination angle. Light curves for three eclipsing binary systems, AS Coronae Borealis, V1036 Herculis , and V1055 Herculis, were obtained at the Truman Observatory and at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. We attempted to match the light curves obtained via CCD photometry with a synthetic curve using the modeling program PHOEBE by manipulating various physical parameters. Results for the three eclipsing binary star systems that we observed will be presented.
Keywords:
Topic(s):Astronomy
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 10-2
Location: SUB-GEO
Time: 4:15