Projects
LCO Key Project · LCO 0.4-m Global Telescope Network, Cycle 2026B–2027B · 549 hr, PI.
A three-semester survey of ~100 detached eclipsing binaries that observes eclipses in four Sloan bands (u′, g′, r′, i′). The band-by-band flux ratios give each star's effective temperature to better than 1%, which completes the mass, radius and temperature set needed for benchmark stars.
Read more and see sample LCO light curves →
Detached Eclipsing Binaries as Benchmark Stars for the PLATO LOPS2 Mission
Funded by the National Science Center (NCN) – Preludium, Poland Grant No. NCN 2024/53/N/ST9/03885.
The project aims to establish detached eclipsing binaries (DEBs) as benchmark standards for ESA's PLATO mission, enabling sub-1% precision in stellar mass, radius, metallicity, and effective temperature.
Five carefully selected DEBs in PLATO’s Long-duration Observation Phase South field (P > 4 days; ≥ 90 days TESS coverage) will deliver ultra-high precision parameters to support PLATO science goals, improve exoplanet host characterization, test stellar evolution models, and provide independent checks on Gaia parallaxes.
- Identify high-quality DEBs within PLATO fields.
- Combine precision photometry with high-resolution spectroscopy.
- LC-RV modeling to derive fundamental stellar parameters.
- Spectral disentangling to determine atmospheric parameters.
- Deliver a benchmark catalog with precise age estimates for mission pipeline calibration.
Poster presented at PLATO Stellar Science Conference
Forward model of a Heartbeat star using PHOEBE
PHOEBE (PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs) is a Python-based eclipsing binary modeling code with extensive documentation.
DSLR photometry of AD CMi, a δ Scuti variable star
δ Scuti stars are Population I pulsating variables located in the classical instability strip with masses between 1.5–2.5 M☉. AD CMi is a high-amplitude δ Scuti star with a variability period of 2.513 hr.
