RUI: Observations of Binary and Proper-Motion Stars

恒星最常见的两个特征是红矮星特征和多重形成。已知恒星的光度函数在低于四分之一太阳质量的范围内会大幅下降。此外，双星的频率在这个质量范围内减少了。因此，关于这些恒星的丰度、光度和质量的数据很难获得，而且不像期望的那样丰富和准确。斯沃斯莫尔学院（Swarthmore College）天文台的61厘米折射望远镜由伍尔夫·海因茨（Wulff Heintz）博士负责，专门用于研究矮星和双星之间的距离，以及确定双星的轨道。这些数据可以更准确地估计这些恒星的光度和质量。在过去，海因茨博士依靠传统的仪器和技术进行这些测量。有了这笔资金，海因茨博士将开始过渡到现代方法和最先进的仪器，这将提供更可靠和更准确的数据。该奖项是在美国国家科学基金会本科院校研究项目的支持下颁发的。

The two most common features of stars are red dwarf characteristics and multiple formation. The luminosity function of stars is known to drop off substantially in the range below one-quarter solar mass. In addition, the frequency of binary stars diminishes in this mass bracket. Thus, data on the abundances, luminosities, and masses of these stars are difficult to obtain, and not as plentiful or as accurate as desired. The 61 centimeter refractor telescope at the observatory at Swarthmore College, under the directorship of Dr. Wulff Heintz, is devoted to the study of the distances of dwarf stars and binary stars and the determination of the orbits of binary stars. These data result in more accurate estimates of the luminosities and masses of these stars. In the past Dr. Heintz has relied on traditional instrumentation and techniques for these measurements. With this grant, Dr. Heintz will begin the transition to modern methods and state of the art instruments, which should provide more reliable and more accurate data. This award is made under the auspices of the Research at Undergraduate Institutions program at the National Science Foundation.