Astronomical works with studentsAstronomical works with students

Irina GUSEVA

St Petersburg

- Central (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences

- St Petersburg State University, Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics, Department of Astronomy

InstrumentInstrument

Double Short Focus Astrograph

D = 100 mm F = 712 mm

Objective prism UBVRI filters

CCD ST-8 (SBIG) 1020 x 1530, 9 x 9 mkm

Field Of View - 44' x 67‘ Scale - 2.6"/pixel

Works with students Works with students of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)

Short time practice (summer) of CCD-observations:Short time practice (summer) of CCD-observations:

- Short lecture on CCDs Short lecture on CCDs - How to work with telescope (coordinates, sidereal time)How to work with telescope (coordinates, sidereal time)- How to work with CCDOPS computer programHow to work with CCDOPS computer program- How to direct telescope to the necessary object on the sky How to direct telescope to the necessary object on the sky - Taking images Taking images

a) moving object (asteroid, comet, satellite…) - astrometrya) moving object (asteroid, comet, satellite…) - astrometry

b) extensional object (galaxy, nebula,…) – photometryb) extensional object (galaxy, nebula,…) – photometry

c) spectrum with objective prism (star, comet…)c) spectrum with objective prism (star, comet…)- Data processing (astrometric reduction, color images of Data processing (astrometric reduction, color images of

galaxies, etc)galaxies, etc)

Works with students Works with students of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)

One semester lectures and practice of astrometrists:One semester lectures and practice of astrometrists:

- Course of lectures on CCD-astrometryCourse of lectures on CCD-astrometry

- Practical work on CCD-astrometryPractical work on CCD-astrometry

a) observations (asteroids, comets, satellites…) a) observations (asteroids, comets, satellites…)

b) images processing, astrometric and photometric reduction b) images processing, astrometric and photometric reduction

c) programming (language on choice) of different investigationsc) programming (language on choice) of different investigations

concerning CCDs properties (for example, probability and energyconcerning CCDs properties (for example, probability and energy

distribution of cosmic rays events, different kind mathematiciandistribution of cosmic rays events, different kind mathematician

filtering of frames, investigation of different sources of noise, etc)filtering of frames, investigation of different sources of noise, etc)

Sample (Pulkovo, Tracker)Sample (Pulkovo, Tracker)Results of the frame processing:Results of the frame processing:

Works with students Works with students of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)

Diploma works of students – astronomers Diploma works of students – astronomers (Russia, Moldavia, Ukraine, Argentina, Bolivia) (Russia, Moldavia, Ukraine, Argentina, Bolivia)

Investigations of open clusters on the base of own Investigations of open clusters on the base of own CCD observationsCCD observations

- How to resolve very close (overlapping) star images on the How to resolve very close (overlapping) star images on the CCD frame to obtain the most correct astrometry and CCD frame to obtain the most correct astrometry and photometryphotometry

- Precise astrometric and photometric investigation (catalogues Precise astrometric and photometric investigation (catalogues of clusters)of clusters)

- Determination of proper motions and investigation of open Determination of proper motions and investigation of open cluster kinematicscluster kinematics

Comparison with Tycho-2 catalogueComparison with Tycho-2 catalogue

Comparison with GSC catalogueComparison with GSC catalogue

Works with students Works with students of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)

Diploma works of students – astronomers Diploma works of students – astronomers (Russia, Moldavia, Ukraine, Argentina, Bolivia) (Russia, Moldavia, Ukraine, Argentina, Bolivia)

Investigations of comets kinematics and non-gravitational effects Investigations of comets kinematics and non-gravitational effects on the base of own CCD observationson the base of own CCD observations

Disturbances in the comet motion may be caused by different reasons: Disturbances in the comet motion may be caused by different reasons: comet lose mass when approaching the Sun, comet is affected by solarcomet lose mass when approaching the Sun, comet is affected by solarwind and its variation because of the huge size of the comet halo,wind and its variation because of the huge size of the comet halo,comet motion is affected by irregular ejection (evaporation andcomet motion is affected by irregular ejection (evaporation andexplosion) of the nucleus mass. explosion) of the nucleus mass. This is very complicated but interesting problem that need extremelyThis is very complicated but interesting problem that need extremely precise observations to detect small irregularities in the comet motion.precise observations to detect small irregularities in the comet motion.On the other side it is very difficult to determine the true coordinates On the other side it is very difficult to determine the true coordinates of the comet nucleus because of bright halo of the comet. of the comet nucleus because of bright halo of the comet. The problem is complicated by phase effect of illumination.The problem is complicated by phase effect of illumination.

Works with students Works with students of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)of St Petersburg State University (astronomers)

Diploma works of students – astronomers Diploma works of students – astronomers (Russia, Moldavia, Ukraine, Argentina, Bolivia) (Russia, Moldavia, Ukraine, Argentina, Bolivia)

Investigations of comets kinematics and non-gravitational effects Investigations of comets kinematics and non-gravitational effects on the base of own CCD observationson the base of own CCD observations

- How to detect the true position of the comets nucleus, to obtain How to detect the true position of the comets nucleus, to obtain the most correct astrometry and photometrythe most correct astrometry and photometry

- Series of precise astrometric and photometric measurements, Series of precise astrometric and photometric measurements, detection of deviations from the predicted (or mean) orbit.detection of deviations from the predicted (or mean) orbit. Looking for reasons of these deviationsLooking for reasons of these deviations

- Photometric investigation of the comet tale density by the background Photometric investigation of the comet tale density by the background stars observations through the comet tale (task for future students)stars observations through the comet tale (task for future students)

Works with high/secondary scholars Works with high/secondary scholars 14 – 16 years old14 – 16 years old

Works that were awarded in local Works that were awarded in local

(St Petersburg) (St Petersburg) and Russian competitions

Synthesis of color images of different objects from the CCD observations with BVR filters

Looking for variable stars (short periods) in the open clusters χ and h Persei

Investigation of PL dependence of Cepheids on the base of Hipparcos data and catalogue of variable stars

Statistics of the IRAS stars classification

Statistics of galaxies morphological types on the base of Deep fields HST images

Works with high/secondary scholars Works with high/secondary scholars

14 – 16 years old14 – 16 years old

Works that were awarded in ESO Works that were awarded in ESO

““Catch a star!” Catch a star!” competitions

The Moon (2003 – 3d prize)

The Pleiades (2004 – special prize)

The idea of Pulkovo HOU center - The idea of Pulkovo HOU center -

We would like to create the center and toolsWe would like to create the center and toolsthat will help young menthat will help young men

- to start with real work on astronomy to start with real work on astronomy in the high/secondary school, in the high/secondary school,

- to continue this work at the University to continue this work at the University

- and become the professional astronomers.and become the professional astronomers.

Thanks!Thanks!