Hannah L. Worters

South African Radio Astronomy Observatory

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Hannah L. Worters is an observational astronomer whose work centers on cataclysmic variable stars and the development of cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation. She is a key figure at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), where she has made significant contributions to both transient astrophysics and telescope technology. Her research focuses on determining the orbital periods of faint cataclysmic variables—binary star systems where a white dwarf accretes matter from a companion—using high-speed photometry. In a notable 2019 study, she analyzed 25 such systems detected by major transient surveys like ASAS-SN and the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey, successfully determining 16 new orbital periods. This work is critical for understanding the evolution and behavior of these dynamic systems. Worters also led the design and manufacturing of WiNCam (Wide-field Nasmyth Camera), a state-of-the-art instrument for SAAO’s telescopes, demonstrating her expertise in bridging engineering and science. With her papers accumulating citations from the global astronomical community, Worters stands out as a researcher who not only advances our knowledge of variable stars but also builds the tools that enable future discoveries.