Observing Program Calculator for Binary Star Systems

Presenter Information

Colby Neal

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC 140

Start Date

17-5-2012

End Date

17-5-2012

Abstract

We have developed a Microsoft Excel application that utilizes eclipsing binary ephemerides to calculate useful information for a program of observing eclipsing binary systems. Eclipsing binary star systems consist of two stars orbiting a common center of mass and oriented so that their plane of orbit is in the line of sight relative to the observer allowing the stars to eclipse each other. Consistent monitoring of eclipsing binary stars is important for establishing fundamental astronomical parameters, for instance mass and composition of stellar systems, and this application supports effective use of resources in such monitoring programs. The input variables to the application include system coordinates, system period, starting Epoch, and the user’s latitude and longitude. The program uses astronomical algorithms to calculate the epoch, Julian date, Gregorian date, local time, times of primary/secondary eclipse, altitude, Universal Time, Local Mean Sidereal Time, and hour angle of the eclipsing binary system. Currently the project is setup for the eclipsing binary system SV Camelopardalis. The calculator has been demonstrated effective through its application to obtain differential photometry data for SV Camelopardalis, a system which is of interest because of variability in its period by a potential third body.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Michael Braunstein

Additional Mentoring Department

Physics

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May 17th, 4:50 PM May 17th, 5:10 PM

Observing Program Calculator for Binary Star Systems

SURC 140

We have developed a Microsoft Excel application that utilizes eclipsing binary ephemerides to calculate useful information for a program of observing eclipsing binary systems. Eclipsing binary star systems consist of two stars orbiting a common center of mass and oriented so that their plane of orbit is in the line of sight relative to the observer allowing the stars to eclipse each other. Consistent monitoring of eclipsing binary stars is important for establishing fundamental astronomical parameters, for instance mass and composition of stellar systems, and this application supports effective use of resources in such monitoring programs. The input variables to the application include system coordinates, system period, starting Epoch, and the user’s latitude and longitude. The program uses astronomical algorithms to calculate the epoch, Julian date, Gregorian date, local time, times of primary/secondary eclipse, altitude, Universal Time, Local Mean Sidereal Time, and hour angle of the eclipsing binary system. Currently the project is setup for the eclipsing binary system SV Camelopardalis. The calculator has been demonstrated effective through its application to obtain differential photometry data for SV Camelopardalis, a system which is of interest because of variability in its period by a potential third body.