Astrometry is the branch of astronomy that measures the positions and apparent motions of celestial objects in the sky and the factors that influence them. Astrometry involves observing the position angles and separations of close double stars, or the positions of fast-moving asteroids relative to fixed background stars. Astrometry is a fundamental task of observational astronomy and a great way to start doing astronomical research.

At PACS e-Lab, our double star researchers use the Las Cumbres Observatory, a network of robotic web telescopes, to observe a close double star that may be gravitationally bound. Each research team measures the position angle and separation distances between the two components of the double star. Their analysis indicates whether the components are gravitationally bound binaries, common proper motion pairs that formed near each other, or random optical doubles that look close together but are actually far apart. Each team then writes, revises, and submits a drafted paper for publication in the Journal of Double Star Observations, and summarizes their research results in an online PowerPoint presentation.

This Research does not require any advanced knowledge. The teams have enough diverse skills that they can work together and complete the research in the given time