Variable Star Photometry
Principal Investigator:
James Biggs
Context:
This project involves a long-term worldwide collaboration involving the study of
variable stars.
Aim:
- To monitor the brightness of variable stars. This will lead to an increased knowledge
of the structure and processes within stars.
Instrument:
Perth-Lowell Automated telescope and
RAE telescope
Publications:
Publications since 1998
Imaging and CCD Photometry of Transient and Variable Sources
Principal Investigator:
James Biggs
Context:
Suitable, transient targets are imaged and processed as appropriate.
Aim:
- To image newly discovered celestial objects and/or poorly known variable sources,
so as to increase knowledge of Solar System objects, discover new Solar System objects, and
increase knowledge of the structure and processes within stars.
Instrument:
RAE telescope (and formerly MCT), and
Perth-Lowell Automated telescope
Publications:
Publications since 1998
Astrometry of Minor Planets, Comets and Targets of Opportunity
Principal Investigator:
James Biggs
Context:
This project involves a long-term worldwide collaboration to track and discover asteroids and
comets. Targets of opportunity are also observed as appropriate.
Aim:
- To measure the position of minor bodies, so as to determine their orbits. This is of
fundamental interest in itself in order to determine the origin, history and fate of each object.
Also, knowledge of an object's position facilitates other specialized types of observation (and
these not need be restricted to the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum), and
- To measure the position of targets of opportunity such as supernovae in order to confirm
their existence as well as facilitate follow-up observations with other instruments.
Instrument:
RAE telescope (and formerly MCT)
Publications:
Publications since 1998.
Comet Photometry and Imaging
Principal Investigators:
Lowell Observatory staff
Context:
This project involves a long-term collaboration with US astronomers in the study of comets.
Aim:
- To monitor cometary brightness changes in specific wavelength bands,
- To observe comets over a wide range of heliocentric distances both pre-perihelion and
post-perihelion, and
- To image the coma and tail(s) for specific structural features. This will facilitate a
comparison between the various cometary families and build a database of cometary properties.
Instrument:
Perth-Lowell Automated telescope
Publications:
Publications since 1998
Monitoring Gravitational Microlenses
Principal Investigators:
Andrew Williams / Ralph Martin
Context:
This project involves a worldwide collaboration that uses the gravitational microlensing
effect to gain information about our galaxy, its stars and their planetary companions.
Aim:
- To use precise light curve measurements in order to characterize the statistics and
kinematics of Galactic microlensing events,
- To detect extra-solar planets, and
- To gather information on the stellar population in and around the Galactic Bulge.
This is achieved through an international collaboration - PLANET - with 32 members affiliated with
18 institutions in 10 countries. Access to telescopes in Perth, South Africa, the Canary Islands,
Chile, Hawaii and Tasmania (ranging from 0.6m to 2m) allows 24-hour monitoring during the "bulge
season" (May - August).
Instrument:
Perth-Lowell Automated telescope
Publications:
Publications since 1998
Details:
Microlensing
Discovery of an "Earth-like" planet!
Supernova Search
Principal Investigators:
Ralph Martin / Andrew Williams
Context:
The Perth Automated Supernova Search is a search for extra-galactic supernovae in
low redshift spiral galaxies. This project involves a long-term study of supernovae -
an endpoint in stellar evolution.
Aim:
- To contribute to the broader study of supernovae by employing methodical search
techniques to detect supernovae at early stages of their evolution,
- To make an independent determination of the supernovae rates within late spiral galaxies,
and
- To do additional research on the supernovae found. For example collect photometric light
curves of supernovae discovered by Perth Automated Supernova Search.
Instrument:
Perth-Lowell Automated telescope
Publications:
Publications since 1998
Astronomical Evaluation of Sites in WA
Principal Investigators:
James Biggs / Ralph Martin
Context:
This project involves evaluation of various WA sites regarding their suitability for
astronomical observations.
Aim:
- Testing appropriate Western Australian sites regarding their suitability for
astronomical observations. This will provide information necessary for the planning of future
facilities.
Instrument:
Differential Image Motion Monitor: 10" (25cm) Meade SCT
Publications:
No major publications so far.
