Session

2023 poster session

Location

Weber State University

Start Date

5-8-2023 10:00 AM

Description

Galactic cluster NGC 188 is 1.93 kpc away located in the constellation Cepheus. This cluster is one of the oldest clusters that contain W UMa stars W UMa variables are a type of eclipsing binary butare unique because they share an envelope of materia laround two stars. According to Simbad there are 741 interacting binaries in NGC 188. 70 of these are eclipsing binaries. We chose NGC 188 because it is an ideal place to study the evolution of W UMa stars because it is one of the oldest galactic clusters with this type of star. Despite the overabundance of variable stars, few have been studied with data sets that span as much time as ours. The data set used for this research spans thirteen years, from 2004 to 2017, and came from two observatories (Brigham Young University’s West Mountain Observatory & Orson Pratt Observatory on top of the Eyring Science Center). We observed nine variable star candidates and revised or confirmed their previously known periods, in addition to seeing whether there was any variability in the period of the observed stars over the baseline period.

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May 8th, 10:00 AM

Measuring the Period of Variable Stars in NGC 188

Weber State University

Galactic cluster NGC 188 is 1.93 kpc away located in the constellation Cepheus. This cluster is one of the oldest clusters that contain W UMa stars W UMa variables are a type of eclipsing binary butare unique because they share an envelope of materia laround two stars. According to Simbad there are 741 interacting binaries in NGC 188. 70 of these are eclipsing binaries. We chose NGC 188 because it is an ideal place to study the evolution of W UMa stars because it is one of the oldest galactic clusters with this type of star. Despite the overabundance of variable stars, few have been studied with data sets that span as much time as ours. The data set used for this research spans thirteen years, from 2004 to 2017, and came from two observatories (Brigham Young University’s West Mountain Observatory & Orson Pratt Observatory on top of the Eyring Science Center). We observed nine variable star candidates and revised or confirmed their previously known periods, in addition to seeing whether there was any variability in the period of the observed stars over the baseline period.