Hello everyone,
I have literally just registered as an observer. I'm studying part-time for a master's degree in astronomy and this semester I have the option to do a project on variable stars with CCDs. I've never done anything like this before, so would need lots of advice (and I'm happy to join as a member and get proper mentoring if I go ahead with this project).
I live in the UK so the weather is frequently cloudy and as I have full-time work and family commitments I need to make the most of my time. It's my intention to use a remote telescope facility such as the SSON or iTelescope. For my project I would need to include a Cepheid and an RR Lyrae. My concern with RR Lyrae stars is their very short periodicity, is it feasible to create a lightcurve for an RR Lyrae star with these facilities? I'm concerned that booking one of these telescopes for e.g. 4 hours could be either prohibitively expensive or that actually being able to book the time may be problematic as obviously lots of other people use these telescopes as well.
Thank you for any advice you can provide,
Kate
Hi Kate,
I am doing RR lyrae star observing in a small group of amaterus (and professional alike).
I have a remote telescope under the pristine skies of Chile and could help you in genting data if you wish.
We could discuss off the forum as I do not look all the time for new posts. You couldssend me a mail via the AAVSO.
Regards,
Josch
Hi Kate
Perhaps you could make it an AAVSO campaign whereby you publish your targets and requirements and we will do the "dirty work" gathering data with our systems freeing you up to do the science.
best!
Pablo
Hi Pablo and Josch
Hah yes, I wish. Sadly the regulations suggest I need to get my own data for this particular project. It's as much about me learning what are, and how to get, suitable images of a star as analysing it.
It sounds like internet telescopes aren't used for such short period variables. I'm also aware I'm hampered by my lack of CCD and processing skills generally (and that the CHOICE courses look fantastic for plugging those gaps by the way).
I think I need to go away and have a think about this. It might be that a (or perhaps just this) variable stars project isn't a good fit for me this semester, but another one next semester might.
Thank you both
Kate
Kate
Understood. In that case I'd be willing to let you operate my observatory and thus get your own data through the use of the free App Teamviewer" to connect to my observatory, free of charge of course...I am now trying to snag 4C 41-17 a Distant Galaxy with a red shift of 3.8 and I think I can detect it although barely so your project should be easy and shouldn't take long. I own a C14 Edge HD with and STF8300 and 8 filters including one V..in an automated roll off roof observatory.
Just a thought.
The only catch isthe 8 hour timezone difference..(I'm in Los Angeles County...)
Otherwise good luck!
Pablo
Hi Kate;
I can almost guarantee that their will be suitable equipment nearby your location; it is just a matter of finding the person that owns it and baking them some bikkies. I would suggest contacting some of the local groups and having a discussion; the BAA will be of help here I am sure.
Some local observatories could be keen to have a student doing post grad study on their equipment (I know of three here in NZ that are champing at the bit to find persons like you).
Also consider doing a brighter star with a DSLR, the AAVSO have a whole section devoted to DSLR photometry as you can get extremely useful results with your own home camera (plus a suitable mount).
Too many options to give it away this early.
Si.
I have used an internet telescope for making a series of observations of eclipsing binaries (the now obsolete Autonomous/Bradford Robotic Telescope) some with periods of less than a day. Some of the results are here http://davidsconner.weebly.com/eclipsing-binary-light-curves.html
Its method of operation was not ideal for short period stars, only allowing imaging of any particular star once every ten days or so, so it took quite a while to generate enough data for a decent light curve. However, they were suitable for determining quite accurate periods for some of the systems.
I'm not familiar with other internet telescopes, but the OU has COAST and PIRATE in Tenerife which might be worth checking out.
Hope this helps,
David (UK).
Thank you everyone.
My institution is great, but this is first project I've had to do with this master's. Project options were only revealed a couple of days ago and I basically have to decide now what I'm working on. The semester starts next week. I'd go and speak to the supervisor for the project but s/he hasn't been assigned yet. For my bachelor's degree (at another university) projects were revealed a whole term beforehand.
So I think it's fair to say I'm in a bit of a blind panic here.
Again, thank you, I'm persuaded to give it a go. I shall join up as a member to take advantage of mentoring and get in touch with the BAA variable stars section (I'm already a BAA member anyway) and follow up on all the other suggestions I've been given.
Thank you.
Hi Kate,
If you do join the AAVSO, then another option opens up - use of AAVSOnet. This is a free-to-members benefit that provides remote telescopes for your research. Another member benefit is the use of VPHOT to analyze such images. You can find mention of both of these options in the home page pull-down menus. So, along with mentoring, there are several member benefits that fit your requirements nicely!
Arne
Hi Kate,
I'm the Database Secretary at the BAA VSS. If you want to join the VSS then all you need to do is email the director Roger Pickard. Roger can also advice on a mentoring program the VSS runs, though I am certain you will also get great mentoring and advice from the AAVSO.
http://www.britastro.org/vss/
I'm not an expert on RR Lyrae stars, so I won't comment on those specifically.
I know the BAA has organised discounts for members with some remote observatory providers. Also, if you have a DSLR then you could use this for photometry, though your RR Lyrae targets may be limited by your camera lens.
I avoid putting my personal email address online but if I can be of further assistance then you can contact me at "vssdbm at briastro.org".
Good luck,
Andy Wilson