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Schools Obtain Variable Star and Asteroid Light Curves

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For the last few weeks, LCOGTN have been developing photometry techniques that are easy to follow, and make use of free software that is easily available to teachers and students. A number of schools have been involved in observing variable stars and carrying out photometry to see if they can obtain a light curve from the results.

 

Photometry is a method by which you measure the intensity (or brightness) of the electromagnetic radiation emitted or reflected by an object. A light curve is a plot of the change of intensity against time and can tell you much about the physical properties of the object in question.


After some failed attempts to obtain a light curve of a variable star, we went back and looked at other ways of doing the measurements, and tried various pieces of software in the process. The aim all along was to obtain a method of measuring the light curves of objects whose brightness varies, using free software that is accessible to school students. On Friday 12th October LCOGT managed to do this.

 

With help and suggestions from both the amateur and professional astronomy communities, LCOGTN successfully obtained a light curve for the star NSV 855. Four schools made their own observations of the same star and were able to re-create part of a light curve that had been obtained elsewhere to confirm that the method worked correctly.

 

NSV 855 from Roger Pickard

 

NSV 855 Roger

 

NSV 855 from FTN

 

 

The asteroid light curves we created using data previously taken as part of a themed observing day back in June, the asteroids observed were 216 Kleopatra and 1997 QD2.

 

 

 

 

Now that LCOGT have the photometry technique sorted out, there will be many more opportunities for schools to take part in themed observing days to create light curves of more variable stars and asteroids.

The following schools took part in helping develop this photometry technique for variable stars and rotating asteroids:

  • Blundell's School
  • Clifton High School
  • Glenlola Collegiate
  • Highgate School
  • Light Hall School
  • The Avon Valley School
  • The Kings School, Canterbury
  • The Kingsley School
  • Monmouth School
  • Norton Knatchbull School
  • Radley College
  • Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
  • West Monmouth School
  • Whitchurch High School


LCOGT would like to thank Dr Tim O'Brien (Jodrell Bank Observatory) and Roger Pickard (Director, British Astronomical Association Variable Star Section) for their helpful suggestions. They would also like to thank Roger for allowing use of his data and measurements with schools.