Experimental Astronomy

Through its relationship with CTAS (the Central Texas Astronomical Society), CASPER members within the experimental astronomy group have access to the Paul Meyer observatory located near Clifton, Texas.

The experimental astronomy group, in conjunction with the UT astronomy department, measure luminosity curves for white dwarf stars in order to study periodic variations in their intensities. With expected periodicity in the range of 1s to 1000s, this time scale allows for usable data to be collected in the relatively short time period of one to a few nights.