Algol Research and West Point Observatory Improvement Project

The purpose of this project is to verify the eclipsing period of the binary star system Algol, to calculate the mass and radius of the component stars utilizing data from external sources, conduct a literature search of historical data on Algol, and to add additional hardware to the West Point observatory that will allow overnight imaging to take place. To observe the orbital period of Algol, we plan to use the West Point observatory to capture images of the star system during a predicted eclipse. We then plan to measure the change in brightness of the star system by comparing it to neighboring stars. After that we plan to graph these values to get a light curve. Due to the duration of Algol’s eclipse, the observatory needs additional instruments so it will be able to close in the event of potentially damaging weather without the need for human intervention. It is necessary that we install this hardware prior to imaging the 10-hour eclipse of Algol. In addition to this, we intend on keeping a lookout for small-bodies that may pass by or occult Algol using NASA’s Small-Body Identification Tool.