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Presentation:  Long Period Variable (LPV) Stars in Globular Clusters.

Abstract:  

These have been poorly studied in globular clusters due to having long pulsation periods ranging from 30-1000 days. Previous cluster studies have focused mainly on RR Lyrae variables, which only require a few days of observations in order to well quantify their light curves, making these studies of little use to understand LPV behavior. M5 is a prime target for studying LPV stars, and its characteristics have been well studied (such as metallicity, distance, etc.), but little work has been done previously on the LPV populations.

Images of M5 were collected by the PROMPT telescopes at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) over 8 months, spanning most of 2011. This wide time span allows for a thorough characterization of LPVs that has not previously been possible. Initial light curve results have been very promising, with successful characterization of W Virginis and RV Tauri type variables. The variability of known LPVs, V50 and V171-V180, were also successfully characterized with unprecedented detail.

Speaker:  Kyle Pellegrin Graduate Student at Clemson University pursuing a PhD degree in Physics. Experience in astronomical research, and strengths include problem solving, working independently and collaboratively, effective communication with technical and non-technical individuals and groups, as well as having a strong desire to learn and share knowledge.

Kyle wiil give a talk on his Master's thesis research that he worked on at Bowling Gree n State University (in Ohio) before coming to Clemson. His thesis research was on identifying and characterizing long period variable stars in the globular cluster M5.