Keywords

Hα, Cygnus X-1, High Mass X-ray Binary, Be Star, X Perseus, Differential Photometry, Standard Stars

Abstract

Building off of the previously established Hα index (Joner & Hintz 2015), I use differential photometry to study high mass x-ray binaries and Be stars using the Hα index to define their level of activity. Specifically I focused of Cygnus X-1 and X Perseus. I took data on Cygnus X-1 (X Perseus will be studied later in the year) to look at its long and short term activity. Data analyzed using differential photometry is merged with previously collected spectroscopic data to show a seamless flow of results between techniques. I also defined the Hα values of 10 stars in the frame of Cygnus X-1 allowing us to keep the telescope in a single spot and collect much more data. Further study of the 10 internal frame standard stars shows a possible new variable star and emission object.

Description

This paper was completed during the 2017 Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Physics (REU) program. More information about this program can be found here.