Long Term Evolution of Cataclysmic Variables

斯科迪博士和她的合作者将进行三个相互作用的双星项目。首先，他们将测量唯一已知的AM CVn型双星的轨道周期变化；这将得出由于引力辐射的发射而损失的轨道能量的速率。第二个项目将测量脉动白矮星的温度和其他特性，以确定不稳定开始的位置。最后，他们将研究某些其他系统，以测量质量吸积时角动量的变化，这可能会揭示Ia型超新星的形成。预计这些项目将对二进制演进的几个领域产生影响。例如，了解来自双星的引力波辐射将有助于在未来的引力波实验（如LISA（激光引力波天线））中将单个物体的信号与宇宙信号区分开来。该团队还将为本科生和高中教师提供研究和分析的机会。

Dr. Szkody and her collaborators will conduct three projects on interacting binary stars. In the first, they will measure changes in the orbital period of the only known eclipsing binary of the AM CVn type; this will yield the rate of orbital energy lost through the emission of gravitational radiation. The second project will measure the temperatures and other properties of pulsating white dwarf stars to determine the location of the onset of instability. Finally, they will investigate certain other systems to measure changes in angular momentum with mass accretion, which may shed light on the formation of Type Ia supernovae.These projects are expected to have an impact in several areas of binary evolution. For example, understanding the gravitational wave radiation from binaries will help distinguish signals of individual objects from cosmological signals in future gravitational wave experiments such as LISA (Laser Gravitational Wave Antenna). This team will also provide research and analysis opportunities for undergraduate students and high school teachers.