NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0189
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0189 |
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PI: Christina Aragona, Lehigh University, cha206@lehigh.edu
Address: Physics Department, 16 Memorial Drive East, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
CoI: Amber Marsh, Lehigh University
CoI: M. Virginia McSwain, Lehigh University
Title: A Study of Balmer Emission in Be Stars
Abstract: Classical Be stars are non-supergiant B stars that have exhibited emission in their photospheric lines generated by a circumstellar disk. We propose to examine the structure of Be star disks, including the effects of disk truncation in Be/X-ray binaries. We will collect spectra of 150 Be stars, some of which are members of Be/X-ray binaries, and study the effect of disk properties on the Balmer decrement. The H(alpha), H(beta), H(gamma), and H(delta) lines will originate in different temperature and density regions, allowing us to probe the disk structure. We also plan to model the expected emission lines for different configurations of disk temperature and density. By looking for trends in the behavior of the Balmer decrement, we can develop a method for examining the structure of Be star disks.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0189 |
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