Wednesday, November 10, 3:00 pm (note unusual date and time)

'The promise of GAIA for binary star studies --- and a boon for  ground-based observatories'

E. F. Milone

Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Director Emeritus, Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, The University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Abstract: The GAIA cornerstone space mission of the European Space Agency is designed to study the kinematics and dynamics of the galaxy. It is to be launched within a decade, and sent to the Earth-Sun, L2 point, where, shielded from the Sun and Earth by an exensive parasol, it will carry out a variety of experiments in the course of its triple-threat survey: photometry in at least 10 optical passbands, RV-quality spectrophotometry, and, precision astrometry (to 4 micro-arc-seconds!). In addition to being able to observe proper motions in M31 and M33, it will discover enormous numbers of interesting astrophysical test objects, including most classes of variable stars, over its 5-year mission. In particular, by conservative estimate, it should permit an increase in the number of eclipsing binary systems capable of testing cutting-edge stellar evolution theory by at least an order of magnitude. Its survey character and limited lifetime, will enable it to leave an importnat legacy. The detection of perhaps a million new eclipsing binary stars will be sufficient to keep ground-based observatories busy for decades to follow!