Variable Star Observing- What's Involved?

[Suzy]

Hi all,

I am seriously looking into getting into variable star observing. I see that my favourite and my most observed star, Eta Carina is on the watch list for volunteers. It has been at the back of my mind for a while now due in part to an Astronomer at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium trying to convince me to do so, not so long back. Then last week I ordered David Levy's book "Observing Variable Stars", to learn more, as I am clueless! Then, on the weekend, I picked this months copy of AS&T- and there it was - a big feature on the same subject. The article makes it very clear that there is a demand for variable star observers and how important this job is. The article even concludes with a list of links to contact. Seems this path is trying to attract me! I have a burning desire to contribute to Astronomy, as so many of you do so magnificiently already- through important works of astrophotography, visual observing, and knowledge alike. I'm forever blown away and amazed at how much amateurs contribute!

I have read the VSS website, but I don't know what I'm getting into really, so am looking to find out more. Does anyone here do this? How difficult is it? Have you had some great moments, or maybe not so great ones. I would love to hear it all, please!

Many thanks for taking the time to help me, :thanx:
Regards,
Suzy.

[Ric]

Hi Suzy, you might want to check out the AAVSO site as well.

http://www.aavso.org/

They have a lot of valuable info to help get you started as well as some nifty programs to help you get the hang of estimating magnitudes.

Cheers

[Terry B]

Suzy
Apply for an observer code at the AAVSO and read their articles about observing. You don't have to join them to submit data or get an observer code.
VSS is also great resource. Send them an email.

[erick]

Better not fall in love with a star that might vanish in a huge puff of gas and dust tomorrow! :sadeyes:

[goober]

I worked with a guy here at he Bureau of Meteorology, Bruce Sumner, who was heavily into it, and he introduced me to trying it out. I found it extraordinarily difficult estimating magnitudes visually. One of those things where you really have to love it, and practice.

[bojan]

I was doing novae more regularly in the past, but recently I do not have time.. It's not much different from variable stars observing (well, strictly speaking, Novae ARE sort of variable stars...)

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=38244&highlight=nova&page=2

In the nutshell, it involves photographing (couple of frames and stacking in DSS... and even 50mm lens is OK in many cases) and photometry, using Iris (http://www.astrosurf.com/buil/us/iris/iris.htm)

[gary]

Hi Suzy,

Great to hear you have a calling.

A typical profile of the variable star observers I get to interact with is that
for many of them, that is the only type of observing they ever do and
they are entirely dedicated to it.

If you belong to one of the club's there in S.E. Qld, almost certainly they will
have a member who acts as a "variable star section leader" for the club.
For example, down here in Sydney, one of the ASNSW's hardest working
members is a gentleman named Adrian Saw. Adrian was awarded Life Membership
of ASNSW in 1995 and is also the club's variable star section leader.
See http://www.asnsw.com/sections/variable.asp

When you talk to someone like Adrian, it is not uncommon to hear they
just stick to observations of, say, the same one hundred variable stars.
These become known to them as "their variables". As has been commented
about previously, the AAVSO is the variable star observing peak body and
so dedicated observers tend to file their reports to them.

Some observers in this region also report to RASNZ in New Zealand.
See http://www.rasnz.org.nz/Sections.htm
They have been instrumental in southern variable star observing since 1927
and have a dedicated research group called "Variable Stars South".
See http://www.varstars.org/

As far as useful contributions to the science of astronomy, then what what you
have read thus far with regard variable star observations is correct. If you want to
get some of your motivational energies really flowing, I hope at some point
you have the opportunity of attending one of the talks either by professional
astronomers or amateur observers or both where the science presented is
a direct result of variable star observations of which amateurs made a significant
contribution. For example, I remember talks by people such as Dr. Surjit
Wadhwa, a ASNSW member, a few years back at Macquarie University that
were exciting to listen to.

Undoubtedly there will be IIS members who are dedicated variable star observers
who can offer further advice and suggestions. Good luck. :thumbsup:

[seeker372011]

Suzy

you should email Alan Plummer-he's the person who wrote the article in the latest issue of AS&T and he will get you started with a simple visual project or two

alan.plummer@varstars.org

I started a visual program under his guidance but got distracted with trying to use my DSLR for CCD observations and then found that my DSLR was non linear anyway ..and gave it away..

should have stuck with the visual program and in fact will probably get back into it one of these days-something useful to do while imaging

Narayan

[seeker372011]

this was the beginner's visual program I commenced-just the two variables

http://www.varstars.org/Beginners'-Visual-Observing.html

the targets and comparison stars are easy to find -not like the 14 magnitude variables that Alan hunts down!

[mithrandir]

There's http://www.citizensky.org/ as well, associated with the AAVSO. I was listening to the Slacker Astronomy podcast about this today.

Under the "Tutorials and Training" menu there is a "10 Star Training" to get you going, but some of the stars might be too far north.

[Suzy]

Many thanks everyone for all your help so far. Looks like I've got a lot of reading to do from all the wonderful links you'll have given me. :thumbsup:

[renormalised]

Suzy, once you learn to get your eye in on determining magnitudes visually and you want to get further into taking measurements of variables, you will most likely want to step up your equipment capabilities. Then, you will most likely want to get a decent cope (a Meade 10" or a C11 would be good choices) and a photometer (http://www.optecinc.com/astronomy/ssp_main.htm), which is an instrument that is very sensitive to variations in light. You'll also have the added benefit with one of these instruments to be able to track the light variations in Sun like stars during the transits of exoplanets. A number of amateurs are contributing to professional studies even as we speak.

[higginsdj]

Quite frankly I would avoid a photometer and get a small CCD camera instead if you plan on going down the imaging side rather than visual. Far less problems and far more versitile.

[bojan]

And repeatable ;)

[orestis]

hi everyone,

if you don't mind i'll like to join the discussion as i myself am interested in variable star observing.

A question that comes to mind is will the moon effect visual estimations of magnitudes?

And also if i collect data where can i submit it other than here to show you guys my progress.

Thanks in advance and good luck with observing variables Suzy.
regards Orestis:D

[Suzy]

Thank you Orestis. Of course, please feel free to join this thread. Ask away. Looks like we're both learning together ;), nice to know :).

[Terry B]

The moon doesn't matter too much for brighter stars but does wash out your ability to see dimmer stars. If you are within abot 30deg of the moon it makes it much harder.
Submissions to AAVSO.
Take a look at http://www.varstars.org/Stars-to-observe.html
for a list of easy to observe stars and here
http://www.varstars.org/How-to-Observe-Variable-Stars.html
for instructions.

[Liz]

Interesting thread Suzy. :)
I bought a book 2 weeks ago 'Understanding Variable Stars' by John E Percy. I had thought about the David Levy one too.