Skip to content

Paper Structure for Double Star Research

Adapted from Kalée Tock and Ryan Caputo

Scientific papers follow a standardized structure that helps readers quickly find the information they need. This page outlines the specific structure and requirements for a double star research paper suitable for publication in the Journal of Double Star Observations (JDSO).

Document Format and Templates

The Journal of Double Star Observations requires specific formatting for all papers:

  • Papers can be written in Word (or Google Docs and saved as a Word file)
  • Must adhere to the JDSO template
  • For coursework, use Google Docs with permissions set to be editable only by you, but viewable and commentable by everyone

Formatting Tips

  • Always run your work through a spell-checker and grammar-checker before submission
  • Use the proper arcseconds symbol (a double prime, or ″) and not quotation marks (" or ")
  • Use Times New Roman font throughout the document

Overall Structure

A standard double star paper includes the following sections, in this order:

  1. Title and Author Information
  2. Abstract
  3. Introduction
  4. Instruments Used
  5. Measurement
  6. Results
  7. Discussion (sometimes combined with Results)
  8. Conclusion
  9. Acknowledgements
  10. References

Section Requirements

Title and Author Information

Your title should be descriptive and specific:

  • If studying a single double star pair, include its Discoverer code (e.g., STI 2089)
  • Clearly indicate that you are presenting astrometric measurements
  • Format author names according to the JDSO template

Name Consistency

Make sure your name appears exactly as you want to be referenced in future publications. If you use a nickname, you should intend to use that nickname on papers for the rest of your academic career.

Abstract

The abstract is a concise summary of your paper (typically 150-250 words):

  • State that the paper presents astrometric measurements of a double star system
  • Identify systems by WDS number(s) and Discoverer code(s) (e.g., WDS 05141+5433 STI 2089)
  • Include 1-2 key findings (e.g., whether stars are likely physically-related or gravitationally bound)
  • Write this section LAST after completing all other sections

Star References

The first time you reference your star, include both the WDS number and discoverer code; after that, you can refer to it by the discoverer code alone.

Introduction

The introduction provides context and background for your research:

  • Describe the location of your systems in the sky
  • Explain what makes them interesting
  • Detail your selection criteria and why they're relevant
  • Identify star types and how you determined them
  • Explain how you estimated stellar masses
  • Reference previous studies of your stars
  • Include at least one citation to relevant literature

Instruments Used

This section describes the equipment used for your observations:

  • Provide a concise summary of telescope specifications and sites
  • Include information about the location where images were taken
  • Reference site codes from image filenames
  • Include a figure showing LCOGT telescope locations with proper caption

Measurement

Detail your observation and measurement process:

  • Describe image quality and star separation
  • Explain your image reduction methods
  • Include a sample screenshot of a measurement
  • Note any anomalies or challenges encountered
  • Include a table of your images and measurements
  • Specify the aperture size used

Results

Present your findings clearly with appropriate tables:

  • Include summary tables of measurements and Gaia data
  • Format dates as decimal dates to 4 decimal places (e.g., 2023.xxxx)
  • Report position angle (PA) to 1 decimal place
  • Report separation (Sep) to 2 decimal places
  • Report standard errors to one additional decimal place
  • Reference all tables in the text
  • Include proper citations for data sources and metrics

Plots

Visual representations of your data are essential:

  • Include historical data plots with your measurement added
  • Show orbital or linear solutions if they exist
  • Compare your measurement with predictions
  • Consider flipping your plot to match WDS convention (Celestial North facing down)
  • Include descriptive captions and text references

Discussion

Interpret your results and place them in context:

  • Assess measurement accuracy by comparing with historical data
  • Evaluate whether your system is physical and/or binary
  • Consider all evidence: Gaia data, historical plots, calculations
  • Identify any unique or interesting aspects of your system

Conclusion

Briefly summarize your key findings:

  • Restate main results without introducing new information
  • Suggest implications or areas for future research
  • Keep this section concise (typically 1-2 paragraphs)

Acknowledgements

Recognize the resources and assistance you received:

  • Include standard acknowledgements for WDS, Gaia, and software tools
  • Fill in the specific telescope location(s) used
  • Follow the provided acknowledgement template

References

List all sources cited in your paper:

  • Use the format demonstrated in the examples
  • Include only sources actually cited in the paper
  • Ensure every in-text citation has a corresponding reference entry
  • Include DOIs or URLs where available

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures require specific formatting:

  • Tables: Numbered consecutively with descriptive captions above the table in non-italicized font
  • Figures: Numbered consecutively with descriptive captions below the figure in 11pt Times New Roman italicized font
  • All tables and figures must be referenced in the text

Table Caption Example

Table 1: Sample Double Star Data Reduction.

Figure Caption Example

Figure 1: LCOGT Telescope Locations.

Next Steps

Now that you understand the structure of a double star paper, let's examine how to craft effective introduction and instrument sections, which form the foundation of your paper.

Continue to Introduction & Instruments →