All of science begins and ends with nature, this means measuring natural phenomena. Since we cannot study compact objects in the laboratory, we must measure them where we find them. This is done through the use of a variety of detectors and data analysis methods. We will present details of these detectors, data analysis methods, and we will present the results of our own data analysis.
Astronomical detectors are specifically designed to gather specific wavelengths of radiation of one form or another. Traditional telescopes, for example, are designed to gather visible light. Radio telescopes gather radio signals. Many wavelengths are used in the study of compact objects.
Once data has been gathered from a detector it must be processed and analyzed in order to understand its significance. Frequently we are looking for patterns in the data that will point to new ideas about the nature of compact objects, or we are seeking to verify existing models. There are a vast number of mathematical and computational tools for analyzing data from detectors.
Here we will present the results of our own data analyses.
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