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CCD Images - Session 204 (2007-08-13)

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Objects Session Notes
Bullet NGC 4036 - Spiral Galaxy with Supernova 2007gi
Bullet HAT-P-3 (GSC 3466:819) - Parent Star to exosolar planet
Bullet TrES-3 (GSC 3089:929) - Parent Star to Exosolar Planet
Bullet WASP-1 (GSC 2265:107 ) - Parent Star to Exosolar Planet
Bullet WASP-2 (GSC 522:1199) - Parent Star to Exosolar Planet
Bullet Polar Alignment Check
Bullet Astrometric & Photometric Monitoring
- SS Cyg (Dwarf Nova)
- U Her, U And, W And (Mira variable)
- Z And, SU Her (variable)
- UX UMa (cataclysmic  variable)
- BL Lac (Blazar)
- 61 Cyg, Barnards Star, Groombridge 34 (Nearby Stars)

Attempts also at Groombridge 1830
- Session duration 4.8 hr
- CCD operation of -15 degC (at 70% average cooling). .
- main objective was to acquire baseline images of specific exosolar planet host stars
- secondary objective was to acquire images of selected variable stars and nearby stars for ongoing photometric and astrometric  monitoring.
- Opportunity was also taken to acquire images of Supernova 2007gi, perform a polar alignment check using Drift Method, and make occasional observations of Perseid Meteor Shower.
- Clear skies tonight (it was cloudy here during Aug 12/13th Perseid peak). Although I was mainly occupied with CCD imaging, I noted that the Perseid's were putting on quite a good show (around 30 plus over a 3.25 hour period, 23:30 to 02:45 BST). No fireballs, but occasional flurries with 3 to 5 meteors over a two minute period.
- More Notes
-

NGC 4036 - Spiral Galaxy with Supernova 2007gi

NGC 4036 (Ursa Major) with SN 2007gi
2007gi is a Type 1a Supernova discovered 2007/07/31.49 by Koichi Itagaki 
at mag +16.3, and has brightened significantly through early August.
(Rochester Supernova site | Discovery Image | Reference Image)

Image below (2007-08-13.93) was taken 13 days after discovery. 
Estimated magnitude of 2007gi  is  +12.6 (C filter). 

Image
Annotated CCD Image
5 x 120s exposure (average combine), 
2x2 binning, C Filter, Linear Scale
2007-08-13 22:13 hUT (#204071-75)
 

NGC 4036 with SN 2007gi - detail

 Image
CCD Image - Log Scale
Image details as above

 

 Image
CCD Image - Log Scale (200% size, cropped)
Image details as above

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HAT-P-3 (GSC 3466:819) - Parent Star to Exosolar Planet

Baseline images of HAT-P-3 parent star (GSC 3466:819) were acquired as part of a a future project to attempt to detect the transit of an exosolar planet using my 8" LX200 scope. HAT-P-3 was only recently discovered (Torres et al, 2007, http://exoplanet.eu/papers/torres_2007.pdf ). It rotates around its host star in ~ 2.9 days, and has a reported transit time of 2.06 hours.

HAT-P-3 Parent Star / GSC 3466:819  (Ursa Major)
Image
Annotated CCD Image 
3 x 30 sec exposure (median combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2007-08-13 22:25h UT (#204079-87)
 
Reference Stars
Image
Annotated CCD Image 
60 sec exposure, 2x2 binning, R Filter
2007-08-08 13 22:32h UT (#204091)

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TrES-3 (GSC 3089:929) - Parent Star to Exosolar Planet

Baseline images of TrES-3 parent star (GSC 3089:929 ) were acquired as part of a project to attempt to detect the transit of an exosolar planet using my 8" LX200 scope. TrES-3b was recently discussed to orbit this star. (TrES team,  2007, http://xxx.lanl.gov/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0705/0705.2004v1.pdf )

TrES-3 Parent Star / GSC 3089:929 (Hercules)
Image
Annotated CCD Image 
3 x 60 sec exposure (average combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2007-08-13 23:02h UT (#203194-98)
 
Reference Stars
Image
Annotated CCD Image 
60 sec exposure, 2x2 binning, R Filter
2007-08-13 23:07h UT (#204124)

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WASP-1 (GSC 2265:107) - Parent Star to Exosolar Planet

Attempt made to acquire baseline images of WASP-1 parent star (GSC 2265:107) as part of a project to attempt to detect the transit of an exosolar planet using my 8" LX200 scope. Unfortunately the image centre were not correctly placed and caused the planned Reference star to not fall within the FOV.   http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.11976.x 

WASP-1  (GSC 2265:107) (Andromeda)
Image
Annotated CCD Image 
3 x 30 sec exposure (median combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2007-08-14 00:24h UT (#204224-28)

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WASP-2 (GSC 522:1199)  - Parent Star to Exosolar Planet

Baseline images of WASP-2 parent star (GSC 522:1199) were acquired as part of a project to attempt to detect the transit of an exosolar planet using my 8" LX200 scope. WASP-2b was recently discussed to orbit this star. 

WASP-2 (GSC 522:1199)  (Delphinus)
Image
Annotated CCD Image 
3 x 60 sec exposure (median combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2007-08-14 00:32h UT (#203232-36)
 
Reference Stars
Image
Annotated CCD Image 
45 sec exposure, 2x2 binning, R Filter
2007-08-14 00:30h UT (#204233)

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Polar Alignment Check

Polar Alignment Check was made by taking a two baseline/check image pairs separated by 3 minutes (one for a point Due South at Dec 0 deg and a second point approximately Due West and around Dec 16 deg). Results were as follows :

    South Sky Point :  Northwards Drift at a rate of 1.64 arc secs/min 
        (equivalent to Polar Misalignment of 6.28 arc mins in Azimuth, 
         scope's polar axis needs turning clockwise by 6.28 arc mins)

    West Sky Point :  Northwards Drift at a rate of 0.81 arc secs/min 
        (equivalent to Polar Misalignment of 3.11 arc mins in Inclination
         scope's polar axis needs raising by 3.11 arc mins)

Polar alignment is not off by far, but benefits would come from improving it. 
  Aim is to improve Polar Alignment to allow longer image exposures (for gallery image) and to help reduce errors associated with high precision photometry of exoplanet transits. The later will require stars to be maintained on the CCD images at the the same pixel location. Autoguiding between frames will be utilised to help maintain stars at fixed positions, but precise polar alignment will help reduce errors associated with small but still significant field rotation.  Too help ensure the operation goes smoothly, further checks will be made, ahead of making a final Polar Alignment Refinement attempt. 

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Astrometric and Photometric Monitoring

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This Web Page: CCD Images - Session 204 (2007-08-13)
Last Updated : 2015-05-16
Site Owner : David Richards
Home Page : David's Astronomy Web Site