Sat, 09/10/2022 - 17:54
The demonstration of real-time photometry to astronomers and the public offers a powerful and seldom seen, outreach opportunity. This video describes the equipment and software used to provide such demonstrations at the Julian StarFest, Julian CA in August 2022 - https://youtu.be/uSz5n2b6QR4
Good idea. I will try it on my club's next public starparty.
I like the presentation, Gary! I like that you gave a fair amount of information about the system itself. V796 Cep is listed as having a period of 9.4 hours, with the max/min for a single hump therefore taking ~5hrs, which can be kinda slow for some members of the public. You might try the same experiment with one of the high-amplitude delta Scuti variables (HADS or SXPHE variability type), such as CY Aqr. Those stars can go through an entire pulsation cycle in ~90 minutes. The other fun variety are the deeply eclipsing CVs. There are enough of these that you can generally find one undergoing eclipse during the peak hours of a public night. Watching a star basically disappear within minutes can be mind-blowing.
Arne
I was concerned a little about the 9hr period but within 30 mins it was clear the target and comp stars were different. That being said, delta Scuti and CV might offer even better targets, so I'll try those next. I was extremely pleased by the public reaction. Having a presentation, I could cut back and forth between, helped a lot - it was a much shorter version of this in the video. In hindsight, I should have mentioned that in the video.