Center for Astrophysics Research and Technologies Seminar Series
Glimpses at the lives of evolved stars with optical interferometery
Presented by Ryan Norris (NMT)
Optical interferometers offer the opportunity to study stars with an angular resolution exceeding what is possible with current single aperture optical telescopes. This talk will discuss the special role optical interferometry can play in understanding two classes of objects, both of which have implications for understanding the chemical evolution of the Universe and the origin of supernovae: Red supergiants, and symbiotic stars, which are interacting binary star systems that contain a cool evolved star and a compact object. I'll highlight results of a multi-year imaging study of RSGs using optical interferometry at the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array. The study shows that near-IR continuum features exhibit behavior suggested by theories of convection--large features lasting years and smaller features lasting months. I'll also discuss current work on a survey of symbiotic stars which seeks to better understand the mechanism of mass exchange in these systems. Along the way, I'll also discuss the methodology of reconstructing images from optical interferometric data and how the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer will impact studies of these objects in the future.
2:00 pm, Thursday, October 27, 2022
PAIS-3205, PAIS
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