Research

My research focuses on nearby, low-mass stars and their multiplicity rates. I am building the RECONS M Star (RMSTAR) catalog, a volume-limited catalog of red dwarfs and their stellar and brown dwarf companions within 25 parsecs. The RMSTAR catalog was created using data on M dwarfs from Hipparcos, Gaia DR2, and Gaia DR3. I am using the RMSTAR catalog to identify stars that have indicators of having unresolved companions. Identifying and observing these stars is crucial to understanding M dwarf multiplicity rates and creating a complete sample of M dwarfs and the companions of all masses.

As part of the RECONS team I have observed at both the 0.9m (photometry/astrometry) and 1.5m (spectroscopy) SMARTS telescopes at CTIO.

For more information on my research and observing experience check out my CV below!

About Me

My name is Madison LeBlanc. I am from Lafayette, Louisiana, and I earned my Bachelor degree in Physics with a concentration in Astronomy at Louisiana State University in 2022. In 2022 I joined the Physics and Astronomy Department at Georgia State University as an Astronomy PhD student!

Here at GSU I am part of the RECONS team, working with Dr. Todd Henry, and I am an NSF GRFP Fellow. I am passionate about outreach, and am the President of the Physics Graduate Student Association.

Outside of Astronomy, I enjoy reading, baking, and crafting!

Contact

Email

mleblanc@gsu.edu