Past, present and future for the EA binaries project

Presenter(s): Margaret Streamer

Affiliation(s): VSS, CAS

Session details: Friday, 2016-03-24 22:00:00, LT106

Abstract

Margaret will present a summary of the work achieved and published to date. This includes two papers published by the JAAVSO, with a third paper in preparation. Few new data sets on any targets are now being received. However, both David Moriarty and Margaret Streamer are collecting data in several band passes over the full orbital cycle for specific targets. These data will lead to preliminary astrophysical modelling of the systems. However, for precise mass determination, orbital radial velocity measurements are needed. These can be determined from spectroscopy and given the magnitude range of project targets, telescopes larger than a typical amateur telescope are required. To this end, I have collaborated with two professional astronomers (at the Australian National University and University of Sydney) to obtain spectral data for TT Horologii, a binary with a delta Scuti component, using the ANU 2.3m telescope at Siding Springs. The future for the EA binaries project is very sound. 1) There remains plenty of opportunity for beginners to be involved with the many targets for which we still have very little data. 2) For the more adventurous, there are plenty of targets waiting to have preliminary models determined. 3) Hopefully, I shall continue my partnership with the professional astronomers to enable future access to the big telescopes so that the precise astrophysical properties of the systems can be determined.

Biography

Margaret’s main interest is variable stars with a focus on eclipsing binary systems. She is a project leader, together with David Moriarty, for the VSS EA Project which focuses on poorly studied Algol type binaries in the southern hemisphere. She has come a long way since 2006 when she attended her first NACAA at Frankston and learned the rudiments of photometry from Tom Richards.