This award supports continued use of the 0.6 meter telescope on the campus of Wesleyan University to monitor stars that appear to have starspots and other activity. Observations in the light of hydrogen-alpha will be improved to the point where even the normally active, Sun-like stars can be monitored. The observations will be extended to activity on cooler stars by monitoring the calcium infrared triplet lines. Stars with large spots change their brightness as they rotate the spots into and out of our view. Thus measurements of brightness changes inform us directly of the rate at which the stars rotate. A knowledge of stellar rotation is valuable because rotation is a major cause for starspots and other activity similar to solar activity. This program has emphasized observations of very young stars, especially the star T Tauri and other members of the T Tauri class, because these show very strong activity. The Sun may once have been similarly active.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST)
Application #
8620054
Program Officer
M. Kent Wilson
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1987-06-01
Budget End
1990-11-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
$99,500
Indirect Cost
Name
Wesleyan University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Middletown
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06459