Objects:

#3604 R CrB

#3621 G Her

UW Astronomer: Joni Johnson

Pulsating variables are stars that change in brightness with time. The diameter of a given star changes, generally in a predictable manner, thereby leading to a change in the brightness of the star. Many of these objects are losing large amounts of materials which form a dust envelope around the star. The variations in the polarization of these objects as we go to shorter wavelengths (that is, farther into the UV part of the spectrum) will tell us how the pulsations affect the envelope of ejected material.