Sizing Up the Stars
| Date/Time: | Monday, 04 Apr 2016 from 4:10 pm to 5:00 pm |
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| Location: | Physics 0003 |
| Phone: | 515-294-5441 |
| Channel: | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Actions: | Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder |
Abstract: I will discuss results associated with ongoing surveys to measure diameters and temperatures of main sequence stars with long-baseline optical/infrared interferometry. I will demonstrate how such empirical data are used to construct and calibrate less-direct relationships in order to extend our knowledge to a large number of stars. This analysis includes relations linking color-temperature/radius/luminosity, surface brightness, as well as the global physical properties of temperature-radius-luminosity. The data are also used to identify weaknesses in stellar atmosphere and evolutionary modeling as well as provide empirical constraints to aid in the development of new models. I will discuss how observed discrepancies with models compared to observations have implications for the precise characterization of exoplanets.
I will also highlight recent results from the Planet Hunters citizen science project (www.planethunters.org) where volunteers from the general public classify light curves and discover transiting exoplanets using archive data from the Kepler space telescope.