Stars of special interest observed by the BRITE Satellite Constellation

由六颗卫星组成的BRITE星座将由奥地利、加拿大和波兰发射，这是一个空间天文学项目，涉及3对纳米卫星(10公斤)，旨在为天空中最明亮的恒星提供高质量、连续的光度测量。它是加拿大卫星项目MOST的合乎逻辑的继任者。BRITE任务的要求规定，低至+3.5 MAG的明亮恒星(有充分理由预期超过+5 MAG的扩展限制，即&gt；2-3千颗恒星)的误差&lt；0.1%将被监测从单卫星轨道(~103分钟)向上到数周、数月甚至数年的时间尺度的变化。明亮的星等限制将导致恒星样本偏向大多数明亮的恒星，因为几何稀释度1/d^2弱于恒星光度的固有范围。因此，设想的BRITE星座的主要用途是研究大多数明亮和大质量恒星中的脉动和风质量损失不稳定性。这项提议提出了一项研究计划，该计划将偶然落入大型卫星区域，主要但不一定是大质量的物体。通过设计，多样化的目标是在6个科目中的一个中包括两个研究生水平的HQP。这种方法应有助于扩大加拿大经验丰富的空间天文学专家队伍；注：BRITE项目已经在UTIAS-SFL发挥着这样的作用，在那里，理科硕士学生积极从事BRITE卫星工程的各个技术方面的工作。主题：1.在明亮的恒星中描述超新星候选的光变化的特征(超新星前的可变性指标)；2.有伴星(如Mira或心宿二)的晚型超巨星的可变性：与MS、WD或NS伴星的强风相互作用；3.在多普勒技术不起作用而行星数目的理论预测不确定的情况下，寻找OBA型恒星的行星凌日；4.穿过Hertzsprung间隙的恒星的活动和黑子自转速率；5.建立一个高度一致的(如果有用的)光度系统，以消除2-3%水平上的明亮恒星的臭名昭著的差异；6.发现近距离双星是我先前兴趣的延续。

The BRITE Constellation of six satellites, to be launched by Austria, Canada and Poland, is a space astronomy project involving 3 pairs of nano-satellites (<10kg) specifically aimed at providing high quality, continuous photometry for brightest stars of the sky. It is a logical successor of the Canadian satellite project MOST. Requirements of the BRITE mission specify errors <0.1% for bright stars down to +3.5 mag (with good reasons to expect extended limits beyond +5 mag., i.e. >2-3 thousands of stars) to be monitored for variability in time scales from single satellite orbits (~103 min) upward to weeks, months or even years. The bright magnitude-limit will result in a star sample biased towards most luminous stars as the geometric-dilution 1/d^2 is weaker than the intrinsic range of stellar luminosities. Accordingly, the main uses envisaged for the BRITE Constellation are studies of pulsational and wind mass-loss instabilities in most luminous & massive stars. This proposal suggests a program of studies of objects which will serendipitously fall into the large satellite fields and are mainly, but not necessarily, massive. The diversified objectives are by design meant to involve two HQP at the graduate level in one of 6 subjects. Such an approach should contribute to broadening of the Canadian complement of highly experienced space-astronomy specialists; note: the BRITE project is already serving such a role at UTIAS-SFL where MSc students actively work on various technical aspects of BRITE satellite engineering. The subjects: 1. Characterization of light variations for supernova candidates among bright stars (pre-supernova variability indicators); 2. Variability of late-type supergiants with companions (such as Mira or Antares): strong wind interaction with MS, WD or NS companions; 3. Search for planetary transits for OBA-type stars where the Doppler technique does not work while theoretical predictions on the number of planets are inconclusive; 4. Activity and spot rotation rates for stars crossing the Hertzsprung gap; 5. Establishment of a highly consistent (if instrumental) photometric system to remove notorious discrepancies for bright stars at >2-3% level; 6. Discovery of close binaries as a continuation of my previous interests.