A window into delta Sct stellar interiors using eclipsing binary systems.

Presenter(s): Margaret Streamer, Michael Ireland, and Simon Murphy

Affiliation(s): RSAA, ANU

Session details: Saturday, 2020-04-11 04:00:00, STAR

Abstract

Our knowledge of the structure of the sun, solar-like stars, and red giants has advanced significantly using asteroseismology. However, the relationship between observed asteroseismic pulsations and the fundamental parameters of delta-Sct stars remains largely elusive. We can utilise binary systems with delta-Sct components to determine the precise parameters of the pulsating star. With well-characterised delta-Sct stars, together with identified pulsation modes, more reliable modelling of pulsation modes is possible. From this basis, models of single delta-Sct can be validated.

Biography

I began as an amateur astronomer with an interest in variable stars. I initially did visual observations, but as the eyes grew old, I moved onto CCD observations. My latest challenge is making sense of semi-detached eclipsing binaries with a delta-Sct pulsating component. To do this, I am now enrolled to do an M.Phil. (part-time) at ANU. The work is certainly challenging for me but the satisfaction of finally modelling the stars is far greater.