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Astronomical Observations  and Analyses

The continuous monitoring of variable stars requires observations from different sites due to daylight, bad weather conditions, etc. Thus international campaigns are organized (see e.g. AAVSO) to collect data of objects of interest, like novae, young stars, transiting exoplanets, or any type of variable stars.

In our group you will have the chance to participate in photometric and/or spectroscopic campaigns or organize own projects. For recent observation campaings the observatory at Stumpertenrod (Vogelsberg) is used.

Beta Lyrae is a hot binary system. The larger and hotter component is a B6-B8II star and the smaller is a B0.5V star. The two stars orbit each other with a period of only about 12.9 days. The spectra were observed in summer 2023.
Lukas Stock
Beta Lyrae is a hot binary system. The larger and hotter component is a B6-B8II star and the smaller is a B0.5V star. The two stars orbit each other with a period of only about 12.9 days. The spectra were observed in summer 2023.
Light curve of RX Andromedae (28.11.2016). RX Andromedae is one of the brightest Z-Camelopardalis stars.
L. Bringmann
Light curve of RX Andromedae (28.11.2016). RX Andromedae is one of the brightest Z-Camelopardalis stars.

Available setups are:

  • 20cm f/3.6 Boren–Simon astrograph, SDSS and Johnson–Cousins filter set, Atik 383L+ CCD
  • 20cm f/10 SC OTA with LHIRES III spectrograph or SDSS and Johnson–Cousins filter set, Atik 383L+ CCD
  • 50cm f/10 OTA with LIRHES eShel II spectrograph  or SDSS and Johnson–Cousins filter set, Atik 383L+ CCD

Recent studied objects:

  • Hot binary stars
  • Wolf–Rayet star WR134
  • Dwarf nova RX And
  • Young star RZ Psc