Can an Amateur Astronomer Measure Double Stars Accurately?

Overview

Objectives/Goals The purpose of this project was to determine if an amateur astronomer can contribute to science by measuring double stars accurately using amateur methods and equipment. Measuring changes in the separation and position angle of double stars is the most accurate way of calculating their orbit and masses. This project tested to see if separation angles (rho) can be measured within +-5% and position angles (theta) can be measured within +-1 degrees when compared to the most recent values listed in the U.S. Naval Observatory's Washington Double Star Catalog (WDS). Methods/Materials In this project, two methods available to amateurs were used to measure 11 double stars. First, 7 double stars were measured visually using a manually-guided 8" reflector with an astrometric eyepiece. For the second method, 4 double stars were CCD (charge-coupled device) imaged by a Planewave Imaging Platform telescope in Spain through the website iTelescope.net. The imaged double stars were measured using Aladin Astrometry Software. Results All measurements were compared to the most recent values in the WDS and differences were calculated. For all 75 visually measured rhos, the mean difference was 0.61 arcseconds, the standard deviation was 1.85 arcseconds, and the mean percentage difference was 2.7%. For all 60 visually measured thetas, the mean difference was -0.8 degrees and the standard deviation was 6.72 degrees. For all 20 CCD imaged rhos, the mean difference was -0.12 arcseconds, the standard deviation was 0.12 arcseconds, and the mean percent difference was -0.47%. For all 20 CCD imaged thetas, the mean difference was -0.12 degrees and the standard deviation was 0.33 degrees. Conclusions/Discussion The results were very accurate. CCD imaged measurements were consistently more accurate than visual measurements. Most individual visual double star measurements confirmed the hypothesis. All CCD imaged double star measurements confirmed the hypothesis. The recently published measurements of 06224+2640 STF 897 were confirmed and 06579+1430BPM 342 was measured for the first time in fifteen years. I plan to submit my measurements to the Journal of Double Star Observations. The results show that amateur astronomers can measure double stars accurately and make a scientific contribution.

Awards (1)

• Second Place

Competition history

• CSEF 2016 Physics & Astronomy · Entry J1722

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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