Ordinary Meeting with Serge Wadhwa

Guest Speaker: Surjit Wadhwa, ASNSW

Title: Search for Red Nova Progenitors

Abstract: Since the confirmation of V1309 Sco (Nova Sco 2008) as a merger event between components of a contact binary system, there has been significant interest in the detection of progenitor systems before they merge. A number of observational and theoretical programmes are underway around the world to understand the pre-merger orbital dynamics as a method of identifying systems with features of orbital instability.

My current project, which started off as a Masters programme and has now expanded to a PhD, aims to unlock the theoretical orbital dynamics and link these to the light curve of contact binary systems. The aim is to develop a method of identifying potentially unstable systems with small instruments, and simplify the mathematics such that identification is within the reach of advanced amateurs.

So far, the mathematics has been developed and simplified. The methodology has been applied to a number of systems. It has also raised some controversies, and these too will be discussed.

Biography: Serge is a long-time amateur astronomer. His previous presentation on a similar topic in 2008 was awarded the Astral Award. He has published numerous papers on the analysis of compact binary light curves in professional journals, and is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy (Astronomy) at the University of Western Sydney.