achromat 'v' variable estimates

[astrogardener]

Hi everyone,

I use an 6" Helios for taking variable star estimates visually, but I'm looking to do 'v' filtered estimates in the near future.

Has anyone got any experiance using a ccd with an achromat for variable star work?

I concerntrate on Mira's, Semi Regulars mainly, so accuracy to 0.01 would be sufficiant.

Thanks,

Astrogardener.

[Merlin66]

Which CCD do you intend to use?

With proper instrument calibration etc you should get good results.

[astrogardener]

Thanks Merlin,

I'm not sure on the ccd yet, having never used one before, I'll probably be sourcing some advice on that too!

I've noticed that a few observers are producing good results with the green channel with their DSLR's. That might be a lesser steep learning curve?

[astrogardener]

Thank's Merlin, I'm not sure what ccd yet, I've never used one so I'll probably be sourcing some imfomation on ccd's too.

I've noticed that a few observers are using the green channel on their DSLR's to produce accurate data, especially on long period variables. This might be a shallower learning curve?

Cheers

[Merlin66]

The bayer filters in a DSLR are not as tight in bandwidth as a astro green filter or the prefered photometric "V" filter.

The best option would be a mono CCD (cooled prefered) and a Cousins V photometric filter.

There's lots of good info on the AAVSO website.

[astrogardener]

Thanks Merlin, (sorry for my slowness in responding)

I think I'm going down the ccd route afterall, and I've decided to buy a small apo so I can continue to use the 6" achro for my visual variable star work. I normally get about 30 or 40 Mira and Semi Regular star estimates in a session, so the ccd will be used on my YSO programme where variabilty is irregular. Then as I get more experienced I can gradually move to the ccd for my entire programme.

I have 248 stars that I observe through the year, and that list will most certainly grow as the ccd will go deeper than the ol' mark one eye-ball!

Thanks again.