Beta Cepheid and Mira Variable Stars: A Spectral Analysis Jesse Harris Faculty mentor: Lucian Undreiu The University of Virginia's College at Wise The purpose of this project is to investigate and compare the spectra of several variable stars, belonging to two classes, Beta Cephei and Mira, while correlating our observations with the photometric survey maintained by American Association of Variable Star Observers. We used a camera in conjunction with a spectrograph that was attached to a telescope to achieve a resolution of 0.49 Å/pixel. The short pulsation periods (0.1 – 0.3 days), and bright magnitude of the hot Beta Cephei variables enabled us to follow their evolution through the entire cycle of pulsation. In contrast, Mira variables are cool, red giants pulsating slow (>100 days) while having large fluctuations in brightness. We have observed molecular bands throughout multiple phases of a variety of Mira Variables. Jesse Harris is from Big Stone Gap, Virginia and is a math major at UVa Wise. Harris will be going to UT Knoxville in the fall for graduate school in physics.
