33 - “Hands-on Astrophysics” and the next generation

Summary

Through the magic of variable stars you now have traveled through a looking glass. You have discovered stars passing through the eruptions and inconsistencies of youth and you have visited and drawn comfort from the cosmic wisdom of the aged Mira stars. You have watched the dwarf novae perform and you have looked on as old novae sleep peacefully as the eons after their outbursts pass by.

You passed through the looking glass in a mood of curiosity and I hope you return unsatisfied, demanding more. Through the bibliography, I have suggested certain sources that may help, but the most important source of all is that of the glass of your telescope, coupled to the retina of your eye, and connected by optic nerve to an inquiring mind searching for answers. Every year, new variables are discovered and much more is learned about how these stars behave.

Quite possibly your own observations may add to this knowledge. Possibly also, you will want to pass this on to someone younger.

In the nature of variable stars lies a key to introducing children to astronomy. Stars are individual, they behave in definite ways. They are born, they grow up, they mature, they grow old, and they die. Stars also have moods – sometimes their light output changes. When a star is young, it might flicker with the intensity of a rebellious child, unable to decide on its future course.