RUI: Purchase and Implementation of Equipment for Astronomical Time-Series Photometry

该奖项将使一个便携式双星测光系统投入运行，用于进行观测研究计划。这项研究的一个重要目标是寻找行星状星云的近双星核，并获得已发现的核的一些性质。结果将是确定近距离双星的中心恒星的比例，双星过程在行星状星云形成中的重要性，以及将导致建立一个将宽双星(周期1-10年)与激变变量(周期少于几个小时)联系起来的演化序列的恒星系统的发现。这一计划的一个重要方面是让本科生直接参与研究的所有阶段，从实施一个仪器到观察和分析结果。

This award will place into operation a portable two-star photometry system with which to conduct an observational research program. An important objective of this research is to search for close-binary nuclei of planetary nebulae and obtain some of the properties of those discovered. The results will be a determination of the fraction of central stars that are close binaries, the importance of binary star processes in the production of planetary nebulae, and the discovery of star systems which will lead to the establishment of an evolutionary sequence linking the wide binaries (periods 1-10 years) to the cataclysmic variables (periods less than several hours). An important aspect of this program will be the direct involvement of undergraduate students in all phases of the research from implementation of one instrument through observation and analysis of results.