ASX Star Talk: Variable Stars: Action in the Sky!
Presented by John Percy, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Dunlap Institute
Stars aren’t changeless and boring. They may eclipse, pulsate (vibrate), flare, erupt, or even explode. These processes cause the stars to vary in brightness over time and, by studying these variations, we can learn about the nature, evolution, birth and death of the stars, and about the physical processes that occur within them. Variable stars help us to understand some of the most exciting and bizarre objects in the sky: exoplanets, supernovas, pulsars, quasars, gamma-ray bursts, and even black holes. Prof. Percy will also explain some of the ways in which Canadian astronomers, and skilled amateur astronomers, and his undergraduate research students are contributing to this research.
John Percy is an active Professor Emeritus in Astronomy & Astrophysics, and in Science Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). His research deals with the nature and evolution of stars, as deduced from variable stars which change in brightness. He is a supervisor and mentor of undergraduate research students, and is known internationally for encouraging and facilitating research in variable star astronomy by skilled amateur astronomers. He is also deeply engaged in astronomy outreach: giving courses for later-life learners, and public lectures in libraries and other venues, exploring the interdisciplinary nature of astronomy, and promoting and supporting the teaching of astronomy in schools.
Telescope observing: 9:00–10:00pm on the 14th floor of McLennan Physical Laboratories (weather permitting)
Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: Free
Registration: Not required
Organized by: Astronomy & Space Exploration Society
Location: University of Toronto, McLennan Physical Laboratories, Room 203, 60 St George St., Toronto, ON M5S 1A7
http://asx.sa.utoronto.ca/2016/10/04/star-talk-variable-stars-action-in-the-sky/
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