Honors Week: Tavenner Performs Stellar Research

Cassiopeia is a constellation in the northern sky named after a Greek mythological queen. Its distinctive “W” shape formed by its five brightest stars, makes the constellation easily recognizable. In the center of the “W” is the star, Gamma Cassiopeia, which Brian Tavenner ’25 researched for his honors thesis, “Polarization and Interstellar Extinction in the Vicinity of the Star Gamma Cassiopeia.”  

Polarization of starlight, first observed in 1949, is when the star’s energy travels through space in just one direction instead of random patterns. Interstellar extinction refers to the dimming of starlight, making the distant objects appear fainter and redder. Both polarization and extinction are due to dust and gas particles.    

Tavenner’s work at the VMI Observatory at McKethan Park was enjoyable but limited due to the telescope needing repairs. Using other tools and computer programing, he was able to deduce that the region of space he analyzed is most likely filled with emission line stars, that is stars with material around it that can influence its measured polarization. He recommends that more cadets continue his research to discover the reason for his conclusions.  

According to Tavenner’s advisor, Col. Gregory Topasna, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the project had several moving parts.

“Brian worked diligently to see everything to completion. Obtaining the images was a little more complicated than usual since the telescope needed repairing, but he was able to image a region that has stars with interesting characteristics. The fact that there is a concentration of emission stars northwest of Gamma Cassiopeia is very interesting and worth following up on. Before graduation, I’m hoping Brian can rustle up a cadet who wants to extend his work. He also knew LaTeX, a typesetting routine that is heavily used by astronomers when writing papers,” he said. 

Tavenner submitted his research to the European Astronomical Society in hopes that it will be presented in poster form at the annual general meeting in June at University College Cork in Ireland.  

Tavenner is an electrical and computer engineering major from North Prince George, Virginia. He is a graduate of Midlothian High School, and the son of Andrea and James Tavenner. Following graduation, he plans to work with an engineering firm in Richmond.