Some Scientific “Magic”
For this trick I propose to predict specific oscillation periods of specific energy-level transitions for specific atoms using only the observed properties of SX Phoenicis variable stars. These stars have masses between 1.4 and 2.0 solar mass. They are high amplitude radial oscillators with low values of the l parameter (l = 0 or l = 1).
(1) The SX Phoenicis star DY Pegasi has a mass of 1.5 solar mass and a radial oscillation period of 6300.82 seconds. Using some scientific “magic”, I can predict that a boron atom will have an energy-level transition period of about 1.197 x 10^-14 seconds specifically associated with n = 4, where n is the principal quantum number. When we consult the atomic data tables, we find that the 4p to 4s transition period is 1.204 x 10^-14 seconds. This is agreement at the 99.4% level.
To insure that the initial success was not a lucky coincidence, we can try the same “magic” trick starting with two more SX Phoenicis stars.
(2) The SX Phoenicis star in the QU Sagittae binary star system is a double-mode variable so we have two periods for the possible confirmation of the “magic”. From the properties of this star we can predict that a boron atom has two periods associated with n ~ 3 transition periods that are shorter than the star’s periods by a factor of 5.2 x 10^–17. In fact, boron’s 4s to 2p^2 transition period agrees with the “magic” at the 99% level, and boron’s 2p^2 to 3s transition period agrees with the trick at the 97% level.
(3) A third demonstration of at the magic trick involves the star BL Camelopardis, which is a multi-mode radial pulsator. From its properties one can predict that boron will have a primary period and a secondary period that are both associated with n = 4 transitions. In fact boron’s 5s to 4s transition period agrees with the “magic” at the 99.8% level, and boron’s 4s to 3p transition period agrees with the “magic” at the 99.7% level.
Well, there you have it. Five examples of predicting specific oscillation periods of energy-level transitions for boron atoms using only the physical properties of SX Phoenicis stars and some scientific “magic”. Magicians almost invariably refuse to reveal the secrets of their tricks, but I would like very much to show you exactly how the “magic” works.
This linked paper goes through the above scientific experiment in much more detail: https://arxiv.org/abs/0906.3525 . In that paper you will also see that the scientific “magic” has also been successfully applied to RR Lyrae variable stars and their atomic analogues, Delta Scuti variable stars and their atomic analogues, and ZZ Ceti variable stars and their atomic analogues.
Enjoy the “magic”!