Scientific Activities

 

Observing Methods

Useful contributions to science can be made from visual observations using telescopes, binoculars, and even the unaided eye.  Images obtained with CCD cameras yield measurements that are more accurate and precise. The fundamental characteristics to be measured normally include position, brightness, and color.  When systemtic measurements are recorded and analyzed, many subtle characteristics can be determined, including the changing brightness of variable stars over time, orbital elements of minor planets, rotational periods and phase curve parameters of asteroids, and precise positions from the timing of occultations and eclipses.

CVAS members routinely make observations of many different types of objects, and often share their results with organizations such as the American Association of Variable Star Observers, the Minor Planet Center, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  Several CVAS members have published their research in peer reviewed journals, including Icarus, The Astrophysical Journal, Journal of Geophysical Research, and The Minor Planet Bulletin.  Articles by our members have also appeared in Sky & Telescope, The Strolling Astronomer, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, and The Journal of the British Astronomical Association.

 

A Possible New Meteor Shower Observed Near Beta Aurigae on March 9, 2016

P. Gural, G. Gliba

 

beta Aurigids 

 

 

2021 Perseid Meteor Count Report

by G.W. Gliba

Click HERE to read George's Screech Owl Hill Observatory Perseid Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable Stars

Dwarf Nova SS Cyg in Outburst

August 2007  SS Cyg at mag 12.2V on August 15 and 8.5V on August 24, Location: Richmond Hts., Ohio, 20.0cm f/5 Newtonian Reflector, SBIG ST-7XME w/V filter, exposure 60.0s & 20.0s, Observer: Robert J. Modic.

September 2009  Photometric measurements of SS Cyg.

Lightcurve Photometry

Project NeilBone  Article about observing asteroids passing through very low phase angles.

Orbit Determination

2003 UV11 October 28, 2010
2003 UV11 October 30, 2010
Two videos of Near Earth Asteroid 2003 UV11 recorded at Indian Hill Observatory in late October 2010.
Details of the observations

Occultation and Eclipse Timing

Jupiter  August 13, 2007, Indian Hill Observatory, CVAS 40.0cm f/7 Newtonian Reflector, SBIG ST-7XME w/V filter, exposure 0.12s, Observer: Robert J. Modic.

Eclipse of Io (video) and Lightcurve  August 13, 2007, 1:46 to 1:51 UT, Indian Hill Observatory, CVAS 40.0cm f/7 Newtonian Reflector, SBIG ST-7XME w/V filter, exposure 0.5s, Observer: Robert J. Modic.

Mutual Event of Ariel and Umbriel Lightcurve and Annotated Image  August 13, 2007, Indian Hill Observatory, CVAS 40.0cm f/7 Newtonian Reflector, SBIG ST-7XME w/C filter, exposure 5.0s, Observer: Robert J. Modic.

Asteroid 391 Ingeborg (occultation near-miss)  August 13, 2007, Indian Hill Observatory, CVAS 40.0cm f/7 Newtonian Reflector,
SBIG ST-7XME w/V filter, exposure 20.0s, Observer: Robert J. Modic.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
(by publication date, asterisk denotes CVAS member)

2012 QG42: A Slow Rotator NEA.
Minor Planet Bulletin, Volume 40, Number 1, p.25-26 (2013).
B. Warner, R. Baker*, P. Bartczak, P. Bacci, T. Vorobjov.

Cloud band variations and the integrated luminosity of Jupiter.
Icarus, Volume 220, Issue 1, p.211-215 (2012).
A. Mallama*, R.W. Schmude Jr. Abstract

Improved luminosity model and albedo for Saturn.
Icarus, Volume 218, Issue 1, p.56-59 (2012).
A. Mallama*.  Abstract

Rotation Period and H-G Parameters Determination for 1188 Gothlandia.
Minor Planet Bulletin, Volume 39, Number 2, p.60-63 (2012).
R. Baker*, F. Pilcher, D. Klinglesmith.  Abstract

Photometric Observations and Analysis of 1082 Pirola.
Minor Planet Bulletin, Volume 38, Number 2, p.111-114 (2011).
R. Baker*, F. Pilcher, V. Benishek.  Abstract

Photometric Observations and Analysis of 604 Tekmessa.
Minor Planet Bulletin, Volume 38, Number 4, p.195-197 (2011).
R. Baker*, B. Warner.  Abstract

Assessment of the resonant perturbations errors in Galilean satellite ephemerides using precisely measured eclipse times.
Icarus, Volume 210, Issue 1, p.346-357 (2010).
A. Mallama*, C. Stockdale, B. Krobusek*, P. Nelson.  Abstract

Rotation Period and H-G Parameters Determination for 1700 Zvezdara: A Collaborative Photometry Project.
Minor Planet Bulletin, Volume 37, Number 3, p.81-83 (2010).
R. Baker*, V. Benishek, F. Pilcher.  Abstract

Characterization of terrestral exoplanets based on phase curves and albedos of Mercury, Venus and Mars.
Icarus, Volume 204, Issue 1, p.11-14 (2009).
A. Mallama*.  Abstract

Astrometry of Iapetus, Ariel, Umbriel, and Titania from eclipses and occultations.
Icarus, Volume 200, Issue 1, p.265-270 (2009).
A. Mallama*, M. Soma, P.V. Sada, R.J. Modic*, C.K. Ellington.  Abstract

The magnitude and albedo of Mars.
Icarus, Volume 192, Issue 2, p.404-416 (2007).
A. Mallama*.  Abstract

Venus phase function and forward scattering from H2SO4.
Icarus, Volume 182, Issue 1, p.10-22 (2006).
A. Mallama*, D. Wang, R.A. Howard.  Abstract

Photometry of Mercury from SOHO/LASCO and Earth.
Icarus, Volume 155, Issue 2, p.253-264 (2002).
A. Mallama*, D. Wang, R.A. Howard.  Abstract

Precise timings of Galilean satellite eclipses and assessment of the E5 ephemeris.
Icarus, Volume 147, Issue 2, p.348-352 (2000).
A. Mallama*, D. Collins, P. Nelson, J. Park, B. Krobusek*.  Abstract

The radius of Jupiter and its polar haze.
Icarus, Volume 144, Issue 1, p.99-103 (2000).
Authors: A. Mallama*, B. Krobusek*.  Abstract

Eclipses of Saturn's moons.
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 101, Issue E7, p. 16901-16904 (1996).
A. Mallama*, B. Krobusek*.  Abstract

Detection of very high altitude fallout from the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 explosions in Jupiter's atmosphere.
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 100, Issue E8, p.16879-16884 (1995).
A. Mallama*, P. Nelson, J. Park.  Abstract

Measurement of the polar radius of Jupiter.
Icarus, Volume 105, p.307 (1993).
A. Mallama*, D.S. Caprette*.  Abstract

Published Articles
(by publication date, asterisk denotes CVAS member)

A Possible New Meteor Shower Observed Near Beta Aurigae on March 9, 2016 P. Gural, G. Gliba* .

The Magnitudes of the Planets.
Sky & Telescope, January 2011.
A. Mallama*.

Possible New Radiant in Early February.
Journal of the International Meteor Organization, February 2000.
J. Rendtel, G. Gliba*.

Aries-Triangulids.
The Strolling Astronomer, Journal of the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers, February 1997.
G. Kronk, G. Gliba*.