Analyzing the Variability and Orbit of Massive Binary Syar System ETA Carinae
Faculty Mentor Name
Noel Richardson
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Eta Carinae is an usually massive, highly eccentric Luminous Blue Variable (LBV) star. While the system is highly studied, it is also highly misunderstood. Eta Carinae shows intense, periodic peaks in its brightness and astrophysicists have yet to find out why. To study this variable behavior, we are analyzing seven years of data from the BRITE (BRIght Target Explorer) Constellation mission. These pulsations have been theorized as potential Tidally Excited Oscillations (TEOs). There are reports of potential TEOs in massive binary systems, but Eta Carinae would be the most massive and periodical system known to exhibit tidally induced pulsations. Further analysis of more spectroscopic data from the system is necessary to determine the impact tidal forces play in Eta Carinae’ s variable behavior. Regardless of the origin of the pulsations, our analysis of the system at various points in the orbit could provide a better understanding of how this unique system operates. Additionally, we are expanding on the study of Eta Carinae's orbit by analyzing new emission lines from the system. Past analysis of Eta Carinae's orbit focused on Hydrogen Alpha and Hydrogen Beta, and we are extending the research to Helium and Nitrogen based emissions. The profiles of other elemental emission lines are becoming increasingly significant as their results better match models made to fit Eta Carinae. Further analysis of other elemental emission lines could better constrain Eta Carinae's orbit and provide key information in the effort to explain the system's past, current, and future behaviors. We aim to more clearly and accurately describe the kinematics of the system's orbit and model the forces influencing its luminosity, ultimately providing the astrophysical community with information regarding the highly eccentric Eta Carinae system. Eta Carinae is used to better understand Luminous Blue Variable stars and Supernova Imposters, and our expansion on past research could contribute to that effort.
Analyzing the Variability and Orbit of Massive Binary Syar System ETA Carinae
Eta Carinae is an usually massive, highly eccentric Luminous Blue Variable (LBV) star. While the system is highly studied, it is also highly misunderstood. Eta Carinae shows intense, periodic peaks in its brightness and astrophysicists have yet to find out why. To study this variable behavior, we are analyzing seven years of data from the BRITE (BRIght Target Explorer) Constellation mission. These pulsations have been theorized as potential Tidally Excited Oscillations (TEOs). There are reports of potential TEOs in massive binary systems, but Eta Carinae would be the most massive and periodical system known to exhibit tidally induced pulsations. Further analysis of more spectroscopic data from the system is necessary to determine the impact tidal forces play in Eta Carinae’ s variable behavior. Regardless of the origin of the pulsations, our analysis of the system at various points in the orbit could provide a better understanding of how this unique system operates. Additionally, we are expanding on the study of Eta Carinae's orbit by analyzing new emission lines from the system. Past analysis of Eta Carinae's orbit focused on Hydrogen Alpha and Hydrogen Beta, and we are extending the research to Helium and Nitrogen based emissions. The profiles of other elemental emission lines are becoming increasingly significant as their results better match models made to fit Eta Carinae. Further analysis of other elemental emission lines could better constrain Eta Carinae's orbit and provide key information in the effort to explain the system's past, current, and future behaviors. We aim to more clearly and accurately describe the kinematics of the system's orbit and model the forces influencing its luminosity, ultimately providing the astrophysical community with information regarding the highly eccentric Eta Carinae system. Eta Carinae is used to better understand Luminous Blue Variable stars and Supernova Imposters, and our expansion on past research could contribute to that effort.