ASTR306 (Part I) Final Project

By Amanda Kepley, Adam Ritchey, and Steve Rodney

Instructor: Dr. R.E. Luck

The first part of ASTR306--Astronomical Techniques focussed on obtaining, reducing, and analyzing observational data. This website details the reduction, analysis, and results of our observations of a pulsating variable star (DY Peg), an eclipsing binary (HX Lac), an open cluster (NGC 7789), and a planetary nebula (M27). The observations were taken using the 0.9 meter f/14.7 reflector at the Warner and Swasey Observatory's Nassau Station in Chardon, OH. We report a V and an R light curve for DY Peg, which were used to obtain a period of 0.0726 days for that variable. In addition, a color curve is given which was found to be similar to ones found in the literature. For HX Lac, we report a light curve which shows evidence that the eclipsing binary is indeed varying with respect to the background stars. However, we failed to observe that star while it was decreasing in brightness. We present two completed mosaic images, one in the V band and one in the R, of the open cluster NGC 7789. A color-magnitude diagram for this cluster is also given. In this CMD we find many features commonly reported in other studies of this open cluster. In particular, we report a strong Red Clump, a distinct Red Giant Branch, and some evidence of Blue Stragglers. Finally, we present a fully color-combined RGB image of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27). From this color image, distinct characteristics of the planetary nebula can be seen, such as forbidden [O III] lines and ionized hydrogen and nitrogen.