Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

The large collection of spectra offered by SDSS offers a very good opportunity to teach spectral classifications of stars. It was used for the twin purpose of estimating the temperature and identifying the spectral feature. The first step was to identify the different lines. A hard copy of the spectrum would suffice. For the second part namely the estimation of temperature, they would choose two wavelengths (free of spectral lines) and estimate using Planck’s equation for a black body, the ratio of fluxes, for a given temperature. This provided a very good exposure for further research.

About Shylaja B S

B S Shylaja worked on the binary stars with Wolf-Rayet components for her doctoral thesis. She continued her research on comets, dwarf novae and metallic (Am) stars. After joining the Planetarium, she engaged herself in the educational activities which included teaching over week ends other than the sky theater show productions and outreach activities. The students were exposed to the methods of research and procured spectra of stars and asteroids from the 1m telescope of the VBO, India She worked on various interactive demonstrations models and taught a range of groups. These motivated undergraduate students moved on to different institutes to pursue their PhD. Currently she is working on medieval period manuscripts of Indian astronomy.