Separation and Position Angle Measurements of Double Star STFA 46 AB and Triple Star STF 1843 ABC

Various students and faculty all participated in the 2011 4th annual summer astronomy workshop at Pine Mountain Observatory. Our group was trained in the proper techniques and skills required for measuring the separation and position angle of the binary star STFA 46 and trinary star STF 1843. We learned how to calibrate an astrometric eyepiece, make appropriate measurements, do a statistical analysis, and analyze data. The separation measurements our group made were comparable to current literature values. However, the observed position angles differed significantly from the literature. This discrepancy from literature values could be due to weather conditions or equipment limitations.