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Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science
Justin Travis Gilker
Missouri State University
Advisor: Dr. Michael Reed
Abstract
Using the facilities at Baker Observatory, we have been conducting a survey that is sensitive to variability at timescales less than one minute. Due to this being new territory for a survey to undertake1, it could lead to unpredictable discoveries or discoveries of new classes of variable stars. In order to determine the sensitivity of our equipment and observation methods to various timescales, we have been doing preliminary observations of fields containing known variable stars. Our goal was to observe 40 predetermined fields containing variable stars and employ pipelined analysis techniques to indiscriminately detect and classify variations at timescales from less than a minute to several days. Many new software applications have been written to help us with this task, and our methods are still growing towards increased efficiency. We have completed the observations of the 40 fields, and are working on finishing the analyses of these several thousand stars. This paper will discuss our current findings, as well as some possible new discoveries.
Justin Gilker is a senior at Missouri State University with majors in Physics and Computer Science and minors in Astronomy and Math. Justin's hometown is Anderson, Missouri. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in computer science. |
