Identifying Long Period Variable (LPV) Stars Using Images from the Stardial Observatory

Abstract

The study of variable stars is extremely important to the astronomical field of scientific research. Variable stars must be methodically studied, usually by amateur astronomers over a long period of time, in order to provide professional astronomers important data that allows them to further analyze variable star behavior.Variable stars are unique because their pulsation produces visible changes in luminosity. This pulsation allows amateur astronomers to visually observe and identify variable stars. This type of research and study is special because amateurs can make a real contribution to the field.My objective was to become an amateur astronomer in the hopes that I could discover variable stars and contribute my findings to the greater astronomical scientific community. In completing this task, my overall goal was to better understand the true nature of science in order to improve my teaching in a secondary science classroom.