Astronomy 390A - Observational Techniques II

During this course, students will use data collected from telescopes to complete a research project. We will use the 72? Perkins Telescope Observatory in Arizona to collect our data. All the suggested projects involve analyzing the behavior of low-mass stars using photometry taken over periods of days to months. With these data, students will be able to analyze starspots, stellar flares, and (in some cases) look for hidden companion stars based on the timing of known companions? eclipses. Each student will get their own data and reduce and analyze it throughout the semester, and will also receive instruction on adding archival data to enhance their results. Scientific results will be presented in a poster session to the full Five College Astronomy Department at the end of the semester and may result in co-authorship on a published paper and/or conference presentation.

ASTRON 337