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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

H-beta indices, delta scuti variable stars, brightness, stars

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

A large part of astronomical research involves gathering information about celestial objects and drawing conclusions about that information. Astronomers commonly gather data for research projects via sweeping surveys, either of particular regions of the sky or of specific kinds of stars or celestial objects. Data from these surveys are often arranged into catalogues. The aim of my research project was to fill in information gaps in the catalogue of information of known delta Scuti variable stars, particularly in the form of the hydrogen beta, or H-beta, index. I will give introductory information about delta Scuti stars as well as the H-beta index and then proceed to explain my research project and its outcomes. Variable stars are stars whose apparent magnitude varies over time. This change in brightness has several causes, including changes in the star’s actual intrinsic brightness or variations in the amount of light from the star that is blocked from reaching the earth. Delta Scuti variable stars are a particular kind of variable stars. Their variability is characteristically periodic, with periods ranging from 30 minutes to eight hours.

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