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Results & Discussion: Writing a Complete Double Star Paper

Adapted from Kalée Tock and Ryan Caputo

This comprehensive guide walks you through writing a complete scientific paper on your double star research, suitable for submission to the Journal of Double Star Observations (JDSO). Follow these detailed instructions to craft a professional scientific paper that meets publication standards.

General Preparation Guidelines

Before beginning your paper, ensure you understand these key requirements:

  • Document Format: Create a Google Doc with permissions set to "editable only by you" but "viewable and commentable by everyone"
  • Symbol Usage: Use the proper arcseconds symbol (″, double prime) not quotation marks (" or ")
  • Quality Control: Always run your work through spell-checker and grammar-checker before submission
  • Template Adherence: Your paper must adhere to the JDSO template
  • Publication Requirements: Remember that measurements are only added to the Washington Double Star Catalog if published in peer-reviewed journals

Drafting Process

While drafting, you may keep the instructions alongside your content as reference, but remove ALL instructional text before final submission.

Complete Paper Structure

Your double star paper should include these sections in order:

1. Descriptive Title and Authors

Requirements: - For single star systems, include the Discoverer code (e.g., "Astrometric Measurements of STI 2089") - Clearly indicate that you are presenting astrometric measurements - Format author names according to JDSO template - Ensure your name appears exactly as you want to be referenced in future publications

2. Abstract (Write Last)

Requirements: - State that the paper presents astrometric measurements of specific double star systems - 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) - Place at beginning but write after completing all other sections - First mention of star should include both WDS number and discoverer code; subsequent references can use discoverer code alone

3. Introduction

Requirements: - Tell readers where your systems are located in the sky - Explain what makes these stars interesting - Describe your selection criteria and their relevance - Identify star types and how you determined them - Explain how you estimated stellar masses - Reference previous studies on your stars - Search SIMBAD using your star's coordinates to find literature - Read and cite at least one relevant publication - Use inline citations in (Author, year) format - If you find papers with spectral types/masses from spectroscopy, use these more precise values

4. Instruments Used

Requirements: - Summarize telescope specifications and sites in a paragraph - Include information about the LCOGT network - Include Figure 1 showing LCOGT telescope locations with proper caption - Describe the specific location where your images were taken - Identify site codes from image filenames or FITS headers

5. Measurement

Requirements: - Describe your images (clarity, star separation) - Explain your image reduction methods - Include a sample screenshot of measurement - Note any anomalies or issues encountered - Create Table 1 with your image measurements - Specify the aperture size used - Ensure screenshot text is legible and compass rose clearly shown - Resize window so software options are visible and clear

6. Results

Requirements: - Create Tables 2 and 3 in the style of reference paper - Format measurements precisely: - Decimal date to 4 decimal places (e.g., 2023.xxxx) - Position angle (PA) to 1 decimal place - Separation (Sep) to 2 decimal places - Standard errors to one additional decimal place - Reference all tables in your text - Cite Harshaw (2016) for rPM metric - Cite Gaia Collaboration papers for Gaia DR3 data - Separate PM RA and PM Dec in Table 3 - Describe implications of your data - Consider creating a separate Discussion section if lengthy

7. Plots

Requirements: - Include historical data plot with your measurement added - Show any existing orbital or linear solutions - Check for solutions by searching on the reference page - Compare your measurement with predictions if available - Consider flipping your plot to match WDS convention - If system has a solved orbit, cite the original paper

8. Discussion

Requirements: - Assess measurement accuracy by comparing with historical data - Evaluate likelihood of system being physical and/or binary - Consider all evidence: Gaia data, historical plots, calculations - Identify any unique aspects of your system - Don't fixate on just one line of evidence

9. Conclusion

Requirements: - Briefly summarize your main inferences about your system - Keep this section concise

10. Acknowledgements

Requirements: - Use the provided template text - Fill in the specific telescope location(s) used:

"This research was made possible by the Washington Double Star catalog maintained by the U.S. Naval Observatory, the Stelle Doppie catalog maintained by Gianluca Sordiglioni, Astrometry.net, and AstroImageJ software which was written by Karen Collins and John Kielkopf.

This work has made use of data from the European Space Agency (ESA) mission Gaia (https://www.cosmos.esa.int/gaia), processed by the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC, https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/gaia/dpac/consortium). Funding for the DPAC has been provided by national institutions, in particular the institutions participating in the Gaia Multilateral Agreement.

This work makes use of observations taken by the Planewave Delta Rho 350 + QHY600 CMOS camera systems of Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network located in __ (and _).

This research has made use of the SIMBAD database, operated at CDS, Strasbourg, France (Wenger et al. 2000)."

11. References

Requirements: - List all sources cited in your paper - Use the format demonstrated in examples - Ensure every in-text citation has a corresponding reference - Include DOIs or URLs where available - Only include references you actually cite - Select appropriate references for filters used: - Bessell for B or V filters - Tonry for PanSTARRS-w - Fukugita for Sloan filters

Tables and Figures Formatting

Table Formatting

  • Table 1: Full measurements of all images
  • Table 2: Summary of measurements, including:
  • System identification
  • Date of observation (decimal format)
  • Number of images
  • Position angle with standard error
  • Separation with standard error
  • Table 3: Gaia data including:
  • Parallax values for both stars
  • Proper motion components (RA and Dec separately)
  • rPM value

Format Requirements: - Number tables consecutively - Place descriptive captions above tables in non-italicized font - Center tables and captions - Reference all tables in text - For Table 3, separate PM RA and PM Dec columns

Figure Formatting

  • Figure 1: LCOGT telescope locations map
  • Include measurement screenshot
  • Include historical data plot
  • Include orbital/linear solution plots if available

Format Requirements: - Number figures consecutively - Place descriptive captions below figures in 11pt Times New Roman font, italicized - Center all figures and captions - Reference all figures in text - Ensure all text in screenshots is clearly legible - For historical data plots, mark your own measurement distinctively - Match axis scales and orientation to facilitate comparison with existing published plots

Detailed Writing Instructions for Results & Discussion

Writing the Results Section

The Results section presents your measurements and analysis without interpretation. This section should:

  1. Present summary statistics: Report your average PA and Sep values with standard errors
  2. Reference measurement tables: Direct readers to Table 1 for individual measurements and Table 2 for summary statistics
  3. Present Gaia data: Describe the parallax and proper motion data from Table 3
  4. Explain the rPM metric: Briefly explain that rPM indicates how similarly the stars are moving through space (citing Harshaw, 2016)
  5. Present raw facts only: Save interpretation for the Discussion section

Sample Results paragraph:

Our measurements of WDS XXXXX are presented in Table 2, derived from 10 images taken on [date]. The average position angle was found to be XX.X° ± X.XX° and the average separation was XX.XX″ ± X.XXX″. The Gaia DR3 data (Prusti et al., 2016; Vallenari et al., 2023) for this system, presented in Table 3, shows parallax values of XX.XX ± X.XX mas for the primary and XX.XX ± X.XX mas for the secondary. The proper motion vectors, when analyzed using Harshaw's (2016) rPM metric, yield a value of X.XX, indicating [brief statement about physical relationship].

Writing the Discussion Section

The Discussion interprets your results and places them in context. This section should:

  1. Compare your measurements with historical ones: Note whether your measurements align with or deviate from past data
  2. Assess physical relationship: Analyze whether the stars are likely physically related based on:
  3. Parallax similarity (distance from Earth)
  4. Proper motion similarity (direction and speed through space)
  5. Color/spectral characteristics
  6. Historical movement patterns
  7. Evaluate binary status: Assess whether physically related stars are gravitationally bound by comparing:
  8. 3D separation of the stars
  9. Escape velocity calculations
  10. Any curvature in historical plots
  11. Address contradictions: If different lines of evidence suggest different conclusions, acknowledge this and explain which you find more compelling and why
  12. Consider alternative explanations: If your data contradicts existing models, suggest possible explanations

Analytical approach guidelines: - When analyzing parallax, remember that 1/parallax gives distance in parsecs - For proper motion analysis, consider both magnitude and direction of motion - When estimating masses, acknowledge uncertainty if using HR diagram estimations - For escape velocity comparisons, cite your calculation method (e.g., Bonifacio et al., 2020)

Writing an Effective Conclusion

The Conclusion should be brief (1-2 paragraphs) and:

  1. Summarize key findings: Restate your primary results without adding new data
  2. State your determination: Clearly state whether you believe the system is physical and/or binary
  3. Suggest follow-up: Recommend future observations if appropriate (e.g., "This system should be observed again in X years to confirm motion")
  4. Place in context: Briefly note how your findings contribute to double star astronomy

Sample Conclusion paragraph:

Our measurements and analysis of WDS XXXXX STF XXX indicate that this is likely a physical pair but not gravitationally bound. The similar parallax values suggest the stars are at comparable distances from Earth, while their proper motion vectors show they are moving through space in a similar direction. However, our calculated escape velocity, compared with their relative motion, suggests the stars are not orbiting each other but rather moving together as part of a disrupted system. This system represents an excellent example of a co-moving pair that provides insight into stellar formation and galactic structure.

Reference Formatting and Citation Practices

Reference List Preparation

Your reference list should: - Include ONLY sources you've cited in your text - Follow JDSO format exactly (see examples provided) - List references alphabetically by first author's last name - Include complete citation information (authors, year, title, journal, volume, pages) - Include DOI or URL when available

Required elements for different types of references:

  1. Journal articles:
  2. Author(s) with initials after last names
  3. Publication year in parentheses
  4. Article title
  5. Journal name (not abbreviated)
  6. Volume (issue)
  7. Page range

  8. DOI or URL

  9. Books:

  10. Author(s) with initials after last names
  11. Publication year in parentheses
  12. Book title
  13. Publisher
  14. City

  15. ISBN if available

  16. Web resources:

  17. Author/organization
  18. Year (or retrieval date if no year available)
  19. Title
  20. URL
  21. Date accessed

Citation Practices

When citing sources in your text: - Use author-date format in parentheses: (Author, Year) - For two authors, use both names: (Smith & Jones, 2020) - For three or more authors, use first author plus "et al.": (Smith et al., 2020) - For multiple citations, separate with semicolons: (Smith, 2019; Jones, 2020) - Place citations before the period at the end of a sentence - When citing specific data or methods, place citations immediately after the relevant information

Completing Your Paper

Final Preparation Steps

Before submission, ensure you have: 1. Removed all instructions and template text 2. Added sequential numbers to all tables and figures 3. Added text references to every table and figure 4. Standardized formatting throughout (fonts, spacing, etc.) 5. Written the Abstract now that all other sections are complete 6. Verified all citations have corresponding references and vice versa 7. Double-checked all measurements and calculations 8. Proofread thoroughly for spelling, grammar, and clarity

Abstract Writing (Final Step)

Now that your paper is complete, write a 150-250 word abstract that: 1. Starts with a statement identifying the double star system(s) studied 2. Briefly describes your observation methods and equipment 3. Reports your primary measurements (PA and Sep with errors) 4. States your determination about the physical nature of the system 5. Mentions any significant comparison with historical data 6. Concludes with the importance or implications of your findings

Sample Abstract format:

We present astrometric measurements of the double star system WDS XXXXX STF XXX made with the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network 0.4-meter telescope. Our measurements from [date] yield a position angle of XX.X° ± X.XX° and a separation of XX.XX″ ± X.XXX″. Analysis of Gaia DR3 data reveals parallax values of XX.XX ± X.XX mas and XX.XX ± X.XX mas for the primary and secondary stars respectively, suggesting they are at similar distances from Earth. The proper motion vectors of both stars indicate [physical relationship]. Comparison with historical measurements dating back to [year] shows [trend or pattern]. We conclude that this system is [physical/optical] and [binary/non-binary] based on [key evidence].

Advanced Considerations for Publication

If you plan to pursue publication in the Journal of Double Star Observations:

  1. Co-authorship considerations:
  2. Decide author order based on contribution level
  3. Discuss and agree on order before submission

  4. Remember that first author has primary responsibility

  5. Submission process:

  6. Convert final Google Doc to Word format (.docx)
  7. Ensure all images are high-resolution (300+ dpi)
  8. Follow JDSO submission guidelines exactly

  9. Be prepared for reviewer feedback and revisions

  10. Addressing reviewer comments:

  11. Respond to all reviewer comments professionally
  12. Make requested changes or explain why they weren't made
  13. Track changes to show modifications

  14. Submit revision by deadline provided

  15. Post-publication steps:

  16. Share your published paper with colleagues
  17. Consider presenting at conferences
  18. Plan follow-up observations if appropriate

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  1. Measurement issues:
  2. Using inconsistent aperture sizes
  3. Failing to exclude compromised images

  4. Inconsistent significant figures in reporting

  5. Analysis errors:

  6. Confusing proper motion and orbital motion
  7. Misinterpreting parallax uncertainty
  8. Drawing conclusions from insufficient data

  9. Overlooking contradictory evidence

  10. Writing problems:

  11. Mixing results and interpretation in the Results section
  12. Making claims without supporting evidence
  13. Using informal language or personal pronouns

  14. Failing to acknowledge limitations

  15. Technical errors:

  16. Incorrect unit conversions
  17. Missing or incorrect citations
  18. Tables/figures without text references
  19. Inconsistent formatting

Next Steps

After completing your paper draft: 1. Share it with peers for feedback 2. Revise based on feedback received 3. Submit final version to your instructor 4. Consider pursuing publication if results warrant

Remember that scientific writing improves with practice and feedback. Each paper you write will develop your skills and contribute to the astronomical community's understanding of double star systems.

Continue to Collaborative Writing →