C. K. Gilligan

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About

C. K. Gilligan is an observational astrophysicist specializing in the study of cataclysmic variable (CV) stars—binary systems where a white dwarf accretes matter from a companion star. Their primary research focuses on determining orbital periods of faint CVs discovered by modern transient surveys, a critical parameter for understanding binary evolution and accretion physics. Gilligan’s most cited work, "High-speed photometry of faint cataclysmic variables – IX. Targets from multiple transient surveys" (2019, 6 citations), exemplifies their systematic approach to characterizing newly detected systems. In this study, they analyzed high-speed photometric data from the All Sky Automated Search for Super-Novae, the Mobile Astronomical System of the TElescope-Robot, and the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey, successfully determining 16 new orbital periods. This contribution fills a crucial gap in CV demographics, as faint systems are often overlooked in favor of brighter, well-studied objects. By leveraging multiple survey datasets, Gilligan demonstrates expertise in time-domain astronomy and data synthesis. Their work advances our understanding of binary star evolution and provides essential parameters for future multi-messenger studies. With a growing citation impact, Gilligan is establishing themselves as a key figure in the characterization of transient-discovered CVs.