Files
Download Full Text (1.8 MB)
Description
Variable stars change in brightness over regular or semiregular periods of time. Causes of variability include pulsation (changes in size) or the presence of a companion star or planet that eclipses part of the stellar surface. We examine period changes of the bright variable stars Alpha Orionis (Betelgeuse) and Beta Lyrae using data from the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). Periods were analyzed by applying Fourier and weighted wavelet z-transforms to the light curves of each star over a 30-year time span. Our analyses showed that both the short and long secondary periods of Betelgeuse changed with time. The long period decreased at a nearly constant rate, and the short period increased in sudden “jumps” before suddenly decreasing. The period of Beta Lyrae had only small variations surrounding the expected period, with the exception of a sudden 3-day decrease which immediately increased back to the expected period again. The AAVSO database contains contributions from amateur and student observers: our ultimate goal is to use an older DSLR to contribute to the AAVSO database of bright variable stars.
Publication Date
4-2023
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities | Business | Education | Engineering | Higher Education | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Federico, Gianna and Birriel, Jennifer, "Period Analyses of Variable Stars Alpha Orionis and Beta Lyrae" (2023). 2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations. 8.
https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2023/8
Included in
Arts and Humanities Commons, Business Commons, Engineering Commons, Higher Education Commons, Life Sciences Commons, Medicine and Health Sciences Commons, Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons