Poster abstract details
Searching for binary CSPN with Kepler
Abstract
The Kepler Observatory offers unprecedented photometric precision (<1 mmag) and cadence for monitoring the central stars of planetary nebulae, allowing the detection of tiny periodic light curve variations, a signature of binarity. With these precisions free from the observational gaps dictated by weather and lunar cycles, we are able to detect companions at much larger separations and with much smaller radii than ever before.
We have been awarded targeted observing time to obtain light-curves of the four known CSPN, plus one possible PN, plus one newly discovered PN (Kronberger et al, this conference) in the Kepler field at cadences of both 30 min and one min for each of these CSPN. Of these six objects, we have already determined that three are periodic variables, likely to be close binaries. Two others are variable but no periodicity could be found in the initial data set. And, there is no Kepler data yet for the newly discovered PN.
We have been awarded targeted observing time to obtain light-curves of the four known CSPN, plus one possible PN, plus one newly discovered PN (Kronberger et al, this conference) in the Kepler field at cadences of both 30 min and one min for each of these CSPN. Of these six objects, we have already determined that three are periodic variables, likely to be close binaries. Two others are variable but no periodicity could be found in the initial data set. And, there is no Kepler data yet for the newly discovered PN.