Gamma Doradus Variable Stars

These stars have a spectral type that ranges from A to F class stars. These stars are classified as variable stars showing variations in luminosity of approximately 0.1 with periods of roughly one day. These stars are relatively new as no discoveries happened before the 1990's

Location: Dorado      γ Doradus


Light Curve From The Kepler Mission showing pulsations of a typical GDOR

Light Curve of TIC 461547908 a Gamma Doradus Star

Which is approximately 7559 Kelvins and lies in the Constellation of Polaris. Seems to be unlisted in VSX.

Light Curve of TIC 357719182 a Gamma Doradus Star

Which is approximately 7179 Kelvins and likely is an unlisted GDOR Binary. This star lies in the Lyra Constellation. 

18:28:02.6 44:41:09.96 (J200)

Light Curve of TIC 323403590 a Gamma Doradus Star

This star is slightly larger and hotter at 9121 Kelvins and seems to have a companion shown by the dip in the light curve at day 15. 

Interestingly enough this GDOR is neighbors with the CAVE reflection Nebula show below.

This image from the Keyhole Dataset shows the nebula reflecting the blue starlight of its neighbors.

Another Type of GDOR Variable KIC 468264641

TESS Takes First Look At Our Universe!

Endless Stars... Endless Planets... Endless Dreamers...


What do you see?
Sometimes if you just get a new looking glass a whole universe of new possibilities appears. That's what NASA, MIT, and SpaceX are making a reality by launching NASA's new TESS satellite into orbit with the goal of discovering many new worlds in our own Milky Way Galaxy. During the next two years TESS will scan the 200,000 or so nearest and brightest stars to Earth for the telltale light dimming sign that happens when an exoplanet crosses their host stars. 



Would you like to know how many planets are in our own Galactic back yard?
I'm first on the list of people who are very excited to see the real results of NASA's new mission.
The goal for TESS is to characterize many newly found planets, star systems and the characteristics that make up a diverse new universe of possibilities. In particular atmospheric compositions and the break down of elemental abundances via light spectral analysis will give us clues that will reveal many details about each world's climate, history, and the possibility that life could exist.
The Kavli Foundation spoke with two scientists about the TESS mission to get an inside look at the development and about the goals of the project.


From the early results of the Kepler Mission we know that TESS is expected to discover many thousands of new worlds, there should be hundreds ranging in size from about one to two times Earth and many larger planets. Smaller rocky planets serve as prime targets, super earths tend to show up in multiples as well, discovering new diverse populations of planets will be the main objective of the mission. Detailed follow-up observations by other ground based telescopes such as the Keck Telescope in Hawaii will reveal atmospheric compositions of these worlds in new and in depth ways. There is nothing more exciting than being on the verge of making history and illuminating our understanding of the intimate details and workings of our universe.


By,
JLC

Hawaii's Keck Telescope Spectral Analysis of Keplers Habitable Zone Planets

Credit: NASA/JPL/KECK

Keck Observatory

Hawaii's Keck Telescope has recently performed a spectral analysis of the Kepler habitable zone planet line up. The results show0 the best possible scenario that scientists have been hoping for; on these newly discovered planets The Keck Team has identified many of the same atmospheric compositions that has shown to support life here on earth. Studying the starlight of these planetary systems shows that we live in a universe of complex planetary systems with all the componants needed to support life. These planetary systems were found to be elementally abundant with Hydrogen, Helium, Oxygen, Carbon, and Iron.

Abundances of Carbon and Oxygen were found to be enriched in stars with planetary systems. These results show that many exotic worlds may be formed in carbon rich environments. We find that the elemental abundances in planetary systems align with that of their host stars. Data from the Kepler Space Observatory suggests that there may be more than two billion planets in our galaxy capable of supporting life. We estimate that 10% - 20% of planets can be potentially Earth-like. Our estimates and real findings are based upon the probability of a planet residing with-in the habitable zone of it's star, and that the temperature and pressure conditions will allow liquid water to exist.

The most recent results from the Kepler Mission and new information shows us that we live in a universe abundant with planetary systems alike to those in our own star system. We have also learned about a new class of planets ranging from earth to Neptune in size completely unlike anything seen in our solar system. New information tells us that planetary and star systems are not all alike, many planets have been found around binary and trinary star systems, adding to the complexity and diversity of our results.

Citizen Scientists are encouraged to volunteer at planethunters.org with the opportunity of learning how to classify planetary systems.

NASA's Kepler Mission and Planet Hunting Research

NASA Kepler and Fermie Research

NASA's search for new earthlike planets that may be able to support life makes history. This is a first time opportunity for citizens to work with NASA, Kepler and TESS mission survey data. Citizen scientists aid the search to find planets orbiting stars in the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond. This opportunity offers volunteers too look in depth at light survey data from planet hunting survey missions.

Additional help is welcomed because of the overwhelming amount of survey data and the fact that people are very likely to discover planets that technology may sometimes overlook. Thousands of discoveries have already happened. Citizens scientists are welcomed to work with NASA and PlanetHunters.org