Star Poster

 

Pick a star, any star!  However, you may not choose any star listed on the data tables for nearest and brightest that you were given in class.  Research your star and create an eye-catching, informative poster (or slide presentation Google Slides or PowerPoint).  On the poster show any and all relevant calculations that we have learned in class concerning your particular star.  In most cases any value you calculate will be something that you can readily find already published and you can check your values in this way.  See the two lists below for required content.  You may come across other information about your star that you find interesting and noteworthy that you should feel free to include.  Try to have fun with this and be creative.

 

Published data and information:  (research with multiple sources)

 

☐  Star name – include any variations and designations.  Every star is known by different names, numbers, etc.

☐  Any binary or multiple star information if applicable

☐  Location – in what constellation is it located?  What are its coordinates?  Any tricks for finding it in the sky (asterisms)?  Diagram showing its location would be good.

☐  Parallax and distance

☐  Radial velocity, redshift (or blue), transverse velocity, proper motion

☐  Magnitudes – apparent and absolute

☐  Luminosity

☐  Diameter

☐  Temperature

☐  Spectral type, luminosity class, and color

☐  B–V index

☐  Include at least one graph, such as a plot of the star’s spectrum (intensity vs. wavelength or intensity vs. frequency) or a light curve (brightness or magnitude vs. time) or an HR diagram that shows your star’s type.

☐  Include at least one “fun fact” – anything unusual, distinctive, fun, quirky, notable, etc.

☐  List sources on front of poster (not picky about format – just give enough info that anyone interested could find the same information)

 

Calculations:  (show work on poster!)

 

☐  d = 1/p

☐  v_t  (use proper motion and θ = a/r to determine distance per time)

☐  v² = v_r² + v_t²

☐  L = L_€ 2.512^(M€ ^{– M)}

☐  R² = L/T⁴

☐  (d/10)² = 2.512^{(m – M)}

 

Put everything, including your name, somewhere on the front of the poster – nothing on the back.  Submit and upload image(s) of your poster (jpg or pdf) to Canvas at the appropriate module/assignment.  Or, for a slide presentation please put it into the PowerPoint format (.pptx) – can be done with Google Slides by choosing the download option under the File menu.