An astronomer is coming to the South Coast this week to talk about her research into one of the most unusual stars ever discovered.
Dr. Tabetha Boyajian – a professor at Louisiana State University – has used Goleta-based Las Cumbres Observatory’s worldwide network of telescopes to lead research into a unique star nicknamed “Tabby’s Star.”
“Every now and again, the star has these drops in brightness. We call these 'dips.' And, these drops in brightness are pretty strong. They’re pretty long. They last for days to weeks. And, they’re very oddly shaped,” she says.
A number of theories have been put forward to explain the star’s strange behavior. She says the most likely explanation may be the presence of dust.
Boyajian will be speaking about her research at Las Cumbres Observatory this Friday, August 24 at 5:30 pm. Visitors can also tour the facility and see a one-meter telescope that’s under construction.