A series of collaborative and individual research programs will be carried out among four astronomers at three primarily undergraduate institutions using the Four College Automatic Photometric Telescope, a 0.75-m telescope at the Fairborn Observatory site in Washington Camp, Arizona. Example projects are: frequency determinations of little studied main-sequence g-mode pulsating stars (including slowly pulsating B stars and gamma Doradus stars); asteroseismology of short period delta Scuti, beta Cephei, and pulsating white dwarfs (which can be used to probe interior structure); monitoring of the photometric variability of early type supergiants (whose luminosities correlate with photometric variability although the underlying cause is not known); continued monitoring of magnetic chemically peculiar stars (for changes in the rotation rates, surface activity, etc.); and ongoing photometry of some 15 solar analogs (determining rotation rates, surface activity, variability, etc., to better understand the past and future activity of our Sun). These projects include significant involvement of undergraduate students in all aspects of this work, including data collection, analysis, and dissemination in journals and professional meetings. The data collected here will also be used in local programs for pre-college students and in teacher training activities.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
0507551
Program Officer
Donald M. Terndrup
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2005-08-01
Budget End
2010-07-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$106,518
Indirect Cost
Name
College of Charleston
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Charleston
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29424