If you have Java Applets enabled and don't have a super slow connection, I recommend going to this page , which is the same with the exception of an applet that animates the picture below... some people have problems with the other page.
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Using the Schmidt Telescope at CTIO we will observe seven RR Lyrae Stars. The observations will be taken in the V, I and B filter bands. These observations will begin on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 and end on Sunday, February 4, 2001. There are three teams, each with two persons. Here is an outline of the steps leading up to the observations:
First we obtain a list of the objects we are going to observe...
Next we attain 30' X 30' and 5' X 5' DSS
images of the stars.
These images and a clever IDL program make finder charts.
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Using another IDL program we create this diagram: The positions of the star and moon are dipicted to help us determine an adequate time to observe the star. The program also creates a table of airmass. The airmass is also used to determine the prime time to observe... |
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Next we observe! Observing on the Schmidt Telescope is quite a chore, the telescope has to be hand operated, literally. It is so much fun though. You continually run up and down the stairs from the control room to the dome to move the telescope and to make sure the dome slit is not obscuring the optics. The telescope tracks and you take your multi-filter images, then you move to the next object and take more images. It is a fun process. I really enjoyed the observing. It brings back the romance into astronomy, it beats sitting in a control room telling a telescope operator where you want to go next. The mountain is so beautiful at night and the stars are brilliant! Back to the project.
Once we have data we use two calibration stars, the target object, some preliminary reduction, and an IDL program to see what the light curves look like.
The diamonds are data points for the target object and the crosses are from the calibration stars. Click on the light curve to see the others.
The data is sent to Andy Layden. The correct reduction is preformed then the data is analyzed. More details on the analysis can be found at the BGSU Variable Star Project web page. The paper is written, reviewed, then submitted for publication.