Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Open Access Articles

A Possible Detection Of Occultation By A Proto-Planetary Clump In Gm Cephei, W. P. Chen, S. C.-L. Hu, R. Errmann, Ch. Adam, Laurence A. Marschall

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

GM Cep in the young (~ 4 Myr) open cluster Trumpler 37 has been known to be an abrupt variable and to have a circumstellar disk with very active accretion. Our monitoring observations in 2009–2011 revealed the star to show sporadic ?are events, each with brightening of . 0.5 mag lasting for days. These brightening events, associated with a color change toward the blue, should originate from an increased accretion activity. Moreover, the star also underwent a brightness drop of ~ 1 mag lasting for about a month, during which the star became bluer when fainter. Such brightness drops seem …

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The Eclipsing Binary V1061 Cygni: Confronting Stellar Evolution Models For Active And Inactive Solar-Type Stars, Guillermo Torres, Claud H. Sandberg Lacy, Laurence A. Marschall, Holly A. Sheets, Jeff A. Mader

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of the chromospherically active (X-ray strong) eclipsing binary V1061 Cyg (P = 2.35 days) showing that it is in reality a hierarchical triple system. We combine these observations with Hipparcos intermediate data (abscissa residuals) to derive the outer orbit with a period of 15.8 yr. We determine accurate values for the masses, radii, and effective temperatures of the eclipsing binary components, as well as for the mass and temperature of the third star. For the primary we obtain M = 1.282 ± 0.015 M⊙, R = 1.615 ± 0.017 R⊙, Teff = 6180 ± …

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Optical Photometry And Spectroscopy Of The Suspected "Cool Algol" Av Delphini: Determination Of The Physical Properties, Jeff A. Mader, Laurence A. Marschall, Guillermo Torres, Akbar H. Rizvi

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present new spectroscopic and BVRI photometric observations of the double-lined eclipsing binary AV Del ( period = 3:85 days) conducted over six observing seasons. A detailed radial velocity and light-curve analysis of the optical data shows the system to be most likely semidetached, with the less massive and cooler star filling its Roche lobe. The system is probably a member of the rare class of ‘‘cool Algol’’ systems, which are distinguished from the ‘‘classical’’ Algol systems in that the mass-gaining component is also a late-type star rather than a B- or A-type star. By combining the spectroscopic and photometric …

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Planetary Transits Of The Trans-Atlantic Exoplanet Survey- Candidate Tres-1b, Aaron Price, Ron Bissinger, Gregory P. Laughlin, Bruce L. Gary, Tonny Vanmunster, Arne A. Henden, Donn Ray Starkey, Daniel H. Kaiser, Jon A. Holtzman, Laurence A. Marschall, Thomas Michalik, T. Wellington, Pertti Paakkonen, Zsolt Kereszty, Russ Durkee, Kent Richardson, Robin Leadbeater, Timothy P. Castellano

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The AAVSO compiled 10,560 CCD observations of the suspected exoplanet transit object TrES-1b covering seven complete transit windows, three windows of partial coverage, and coverage of baseline non-transit periods. Visual inspection of the light curves reveals the presence of slight humps at the egress points of some transits. A boot strap Monte Carlo simulation was applied to the data to confirm that the humps exist to a statistically significant degree. However, it does not rule out systemic effects which will be tested with campaigns in the 2005 observing season.

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Optical Photometry And X-Ray Monitoring Of The "Cool Algol" Bd+05˚706: Determination Of The Physical Properties, Guillermo Torres, Jeff A. Mader, Laurence A. Marschall, Ralph Neuhauser, Alaine S. Duffy

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present new photometric observations in the BVRI bands of the double-lined eclipsing binary BD +05706 conducted over three observing seasons, as well as new X-ray observations obtained with ROSAT covering a full orbital cycle (P = 18.9 days). A detailed light-curve analysis of the optical data shows the system to be semidetached, confirming indications from an earlier analysis by Torres et al. (published in 1998), with the less massive and cooler star filling its Roche lobe. The system is a member of the rare class of cool Algol systems, which are different from the ‘‘ classical ’’ Algol systems …

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Radial Velocity Survey Of Members And Candidate Members Of The Tw Hydrae Association, Guillermo Torres, Eike W. Guenther, Laurence A. Marschall, Ralph Neuhauser, David W. Latham, Robert P. Stefanik

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report spectroscopic observations of stars belonging to the young nearby group known as the TW Hydrae association, as well as of a number of potential members of the association identified in kinematic and X-ray surveys. Multiple radial velocity measurements were obtained for each object, several of which turn out to be multiple systems. Orbital solutions are presented for three double-lined binaries, one singlelined binary, and a double-lined triple system, all with short periods. Effective temperatures and projected rotational velocities are presented for each visible object. None of the candidate members of the association in our sample are confirmed as …

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A Desktop Universe For The Introductory Astronomy Laboratory, Laurence A. Marschall, Glenn A. Snyder, Paul Richard Cooper

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

What is a well-intentioned astronomy instructor to do? There is no argument that experience with the real world is desirable in any astronomy course, especially the introductory classes that fulfill the science distribution requirements at many colleges and universities. Though it is a simple matter to take students out of doors, show them the motions of the Sun, Moon, and stars, and have them squint for a few seconds at Saturn's rings through a telescope, these activities represent only a small portion of the subject matter of modern astronomy. It is simply not possible, given the constraints of time, weather, …

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Bringing The Moon Into The Classroom, Laurence A. Marschall

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Understanding the phases of the Moon is a perennial stumbling block in introductory astronomy classes. In the film, "A Private Universe," for instance, both Harvard graduates and gifted high-school students display serious misconceptions about the Moon's phases, believing, among other things, that the Earth's shadow on the Moon is the cause of it all. Part of the problem may stem from textbook illustrations that show a view of the Moon in orbit around the Earth with the Sun of to one side. Students have trouble converting mentally from this "God's eye" perspective into the "geocentric" perspective we experience as observers …

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Rotational Periods And Starspot Activity Of Young Solar-Type Dwarfs In The Open Cluster Ic 4665, S. Allain, C. Prosser, Laurence A. Marschall, Bentley D. Laaksonen

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present the results of a V-band photometric monitoring survey of 15 late-type dwarfs in the young open cluster IC 4665. Low-amplitude periodic light variations are found for 8 stars and ascribed to the modulation by starspots that cover typically a few percent of the stellar disk. Periods range from 0.6 to 3.7d, translating to equatorial velocities between 13 and 93 km.s-1. That no period longer than 4d was detected suggests a relative paucity of extremely slow rotators (Veq << 10 km.s-1) among late-type dwarfs in IC 4665. The fractional number of slow rotators in IC 4665 is similar to that of Alpha Per cluster, suggesting that IC 4665 is close in age to Alpha Per (~50 Myr).

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Rotation Periods Of Open Cluster Stars, Iii, Charles F. Prosser, Matthew D. Shetrone, Amil Dasgupta, Dana E. Backman, Bentley D. Laaksonen, Shawn W. Baker, Laurence A. Marschall, Barbara A. Whitney, Konrad Kuuken, John R. Stauffer

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present the results from a photometric monitoring program of 15 open cluster stars and one weak-lined T Tauri star during late 1993/early 1994. Several slow rotators which are members of the Alpha Persei, Pleiades, and Hyades open clusters have been monitored and period estimates derived. Using all available Pleiades stars with photometric periods together with current X-ray flux measurements, we illustrate the X-ray activity/rotation relation among Pleiades late-G/K dwarfs. The data show a clear break in the rotation-activity relation around P~6-7 days-in general accordance with previous results using more heterogeneous samples of G/K stars.

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Digital Imaging In The Introductory Astronomy Course, Laurence A. Marschall, Michael B. Hayden

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The availability of small, inexpensive CCD cameras is making it possible to offer non-science students in introductory astronomy courses hands-on experience in astronomical imaging. For the past three years at Gettysburg College we have been developing laboratory exercises using ST-4, ST-6, and Lynxx CCD cameras attached to 8-inch telescopes. We discuss the hardware and the procedures involved in these exercises, pointing out the benefits and limitations of digital observations with introductory students. We also offer tips for making successful observations with students, and describe plans for further development.

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Membership Of The Rosette Nebula Cluster, Ngc 2244, Laurence A. Marschall, William F. Van Altena, Liang-Tai George Chiu

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Relative proper motions for 287 stars in the region of the young open cluster NGC 2244, located in the Rsette Nebula, have been determined from plates taken with the Yerkes 40-in. and the Allegheny 30-in. refractors. Probabilities of membership based on these proper motions are derived. Because probable members are chosen primarily from kinematic considerations, the sample should show a minimum photometric bias. Differential extinction across the cluster, however, is identified as a complication in the immediate interpretation of the sample in terms of color-magnitude diagrams or luminosity functions.

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

A Possible Detection Of Occultation By A Proto-Planetary Clump In Gm Cephei, W. P. Chen, S. C.-L. Hu, R. Errmann, Ch. Adam, Laurence A. Marschall

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The Eclipsing Binary V1061 Cygni: Confronting Stellar Evolution Models For Active And Inactive Solar-Type Stars, Guillermo Torres, Claud H. Sandberg Lacy, Laurence A. Marschall, Holly A. Sheets, Jeff A. Mader

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Optical Photometry And Spectroscopy Of The Suspected "Cool Algol" Av Delphini: Determination Of The Physical Properties, Jeff A. Mader, Laurence A. Marschall, Guillermo Torres, Akbar H. Rizvi

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Optical Photometry And X-Ray Monitoring Of The "Cool Algol" Bd+05˚706: Determination Of The Physical Properties, Guillermo Torres, Jeff A. Mader, Laurence A. Marschall, Ralph Neuhauser, Alaine S. Duffy

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Radial Velocity Survey Of Members And Candidate Members Of The Tw Hydrae Association, Guillermo Torres, Eike W. Guenther, Laurence A. Marschall, Ralph Neuhauser, David W. Latham, Robert P. Stefanik

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

A Desktop Universe For The Introductory Astronomy Laboratory, Laurence A. Marschall, Glenn A. Snyder, Paul Richard Cooper

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Bringing The Moon Into The Classroom, Laurence A. Marschall

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Rotational Periods And Starspot Activity Of Young Solar-Type Dwarfs In The Open Cluster Ic 4665, S. Allain, C. Prosser, Laurence A. Marschall, Bentley D. Laaksonen

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Rotation Periods Of Open Cluster Stars, Iii, Charles F. Prosser, Matthew D. Shetrone, Amil Dasgupta, Dana E. Backman, Bentley D. Laaksonen, Shawn W. Baker, Laurence A. Marschall, Barbara A. Whitney, Konrad Kuuken, John R. Stauffer

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Digital Imaging In The Introductory Astronomy Course, Laurence A. Marschall, Michael B. Hayden

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Membership Of The Rosette Nebula Cluster, Ngc 2244, Laurence A. Marschall, William F. Van Altena, Liang-Tai George Chiu

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications