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Variable Star Program
Variable Star Program Coordinator
Variable Star Probram Introduction
Welcome to the Astronomical League's Variable Star Program. Much that we know about stars and the universe came from studying variable stars. There are over 200,000 variable stars catalogued with many more suspected. With modest equipment any amateur can make observations that are valuable scientific contributions. The minimum required equipment for this award is a pair of binoculars, but any size telescope or go-to telescope can be used.
Variable stars are objects whose light is not constant. The observer's goal is to determine the brightness of the star when compared to stars of fixed brightness in or near the same field of view. The thrills of variable star observation are many - finding the right star in the patterns in the field; pushing the limits of your telescope and your observational skills to glimpse that mag 14.5 star; improving your observing methods, equipment, and ability to yield more and more variables per observing session; seeing your favorite stars change in brightness as you watch them from week to week; catching SS Cygni in outburst. You get all this plus you get to provide useful scientific data to scientists and other observers.
Rules and Regulations
To qualify for the AL's Variable Star Program certificate and award pin, you need to be a member of the Astronomical League, either through an affiliated club or as a Member-at Large and complete these observing requirements.
1. . Cepheid - Observe Delta Cephei, Eta Aquilae, or another Cepheid through a complete cycle making observations nightly or through several cycles if weather doesn't permit nightly viewing. Plot results on a light curve vs. time.
2. Binary - Observe Algol (B Persei), B Lyrae, or another binary through an eclipse or minima. Make estimates as applicable to star's period, for example Algol might be made every 15 minutes while Beta Lyrae might be observed nightly for a couple of weeks. Plot results on a light curve vs. time.
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3. Make a total of 170 observations of at least 15 different Long Period (Mira), Semiregular (Betelgeuse), or Cataclysmic (SS Cygni) variables. At least one long period variable should be followed through a complete cycle.
Only AAVSO charts from the Variable Star Plotter on the AAVSO website or charts from the Citizen Sky 10 Star tutorial http://www.citizensky.org/content/10-star-training may be used for determining Variable brightness to complete this program. All observations made in this program are to be submitted to the AAVSO database and will be used by scientists and other amateurs to advance our knowledge of the stars.
Any telescope 60 mm or larger or binoculars of at least 50mm objective are adequate to do this program. You may use star hopping or go-to telescopes. There is an AAVSO CCD program for observing variable stars. It requires much more expensive equipment and is more time consuming, but yields results for stars not reachable by visual observers. CCD observations correctly submitted to AAVSO are acceptable for this program.
To receive your Variable Star certificate and award pin; mail or email a copy of your observations, including charts, to the AL Variable Program Coordinator. An AAVSO printout of your observations is also acceptable. Include your name, address, phone number, email, and society affiliation. Also include your AAVSO user name so submissions can be checked. If you would like the pin and certificate sent to the program awards coordinator please give their name, address, and email.
Getting Started
Read the Variable Star Observing attachment below for an overview and quick start for your binary and Cepheid. These naked eye variables will give you some experience at estimating as well as start you out with some classics.
The AAVSO Manual for Visual Observing of Variable Stars is available for download at http://www.aavso.org/publications/manual/manual.pdf from the AAVSO website: www.aavso.org. Both of these publications are excellent resources to get you started. Additionally, the AAVSO has prepared a PowerPoint presentation called “Variable Star Telescope Simulation” which goes through the process of observing a variable star step by step. This is available at http://www.aavso.org/online-resources along with other resources such as constellation charts showing variable star locations. You don't need a large, expensive telescope to make valuable contributions to astronomy. Many observers use binoculars, small refractors or reflectors for their observations. What is needed is care in making the observations. Since variable stars come in all brightnesses, you don't need the darkest skies, the clearest skies, or even a moonless night to observe many of them. Some can be observed from your backyard under moderate light pollution. However, as usual, the best results can be obtained under optimum conditions. The point is, always try for the best conditions, but if you don't have them, don't worry about it. You can still make meaningful accurate and valuable estimates.
If you have any questions to help get you started or about your observations please contact me at eaquilae@hotmail.com
