Fundamental Properties of Low Mass Stars in Eclipsing Binaries

Orosz博士将在圣地亚哥州立大学的拉古纳山天文台使用大部分望远镜对各种各样的近距离双星系统进行观测和建模。 双星为精确测量恒星的半径和质量提供了最好的机会，这些测量对于验证恒星演化理论和确定其他不同物体（如白色矮星、中子星、黑洞和太阳系外行星）的性质至关重要。在这里，将确定各种密近双星系统的精确物理参数，包括主序星和黑洞。该项目的一个具体目标是测量低质量主序星的精确质量和半径，以便为低主序星的演化模型提供所需的约束（即质量-半径关系）。该程序建立在Orosz博士在二元系统计算机模型方面的最新进展之上，最值得注意的是将来自模型大气计算的比强度结合到光变曲线合成代码和基于遗传算法的拟合代码中。在某些情况下，利用这些工具可以更好地再现观测到的光变曲线，并且由此产生的组成恒星的质量和半径可能与以前认为的大不相同。该项目还利用了NSF资助的对拉古纳山天文台的改进，包括圣地亚哥州立大学和天文台之间完成的高速互联网连接，对天文台现有的1米望远镜进行了重大升级，并将使用新的镜面技术建造一个机器人1米望远镜。预计将发现大量双星系统的基本参数，对天体物理学的各个领域产生广泛影响。建模代码将公开提供，以使更广泛的天文学界受益。 这项研究将涉及先进的圣地亚哥州立大学本科生，研究生硕士论文的工作，并参加在圣地亚哥州立大学NSF资助的本科生研究经验计划的本科生。Orosz博士还将在课堂上讨论他的研究，并通过校园和拉古纳山天文台的外联活动向更广泛的社区介绍他的研究。

Dr. Orosz will undertake the observation and modeling of a wide variety of close binary systems using in large part telescopes at San Diego State University's Mount Laguna Observatory. Binary stars offer the best opportunity for accurate measurements of the radii and masses of stars, measurements essential to verify stellar evolution theory and to determine the properties of other diverse objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes, and extra-solar planets. Here, accurate physical parameters for a wide variety of close binary systems will be determined, including main sequence stars and black holes. A specific goal of this project will be to measure accurate masses and radii for low-mass main sequence stars in order to provide needed constraints on evolutionary models for the lower main sequence (namely the mass-radius relation).This program builds upon recent advances in computer models for binary systems made by Dr. Orosz, most notably the incorporation of specific intensities from model atmosphere computations into a light curve synthesis code and a fitting code based on a genetic algorithm. It has been shown that in some cases the observed light curves can be reproduced much better with these tools, and that the resulting masses and radii of the component stars can be significantly different from what was previously thought.This project also makes use of NSF-funded improvements to the Mount Laguna Observatory, including a completed high-speed Internet connection between San Diego State University and the observatory, substantial upgrades to the existing 1-meter telescope at the observatory, and a robotic 1-meter telescope that will be constructed using new mirror technology. It is expected that fundamental parameters will be found for a large number of binary systems, with a broad impact across diverse areas of astrophysics. The modeling code will be made publicly available, to the benefit of the wider astronomical community. This research will involve advanced San Diego State undergraduate students, graduate students working on Master's Theses, and undergraduate students participating in the NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at San Diego State. Dr. Orosz will also discuss his research in his classes, and to the wider community through outreach events on campus and at the Mount Laguna Observatory.