My question is how?

[Marvin Jenkins]

After laying myself bare to the membership and admitting I had not purposefully split a double, I have started looking into this important but not massively followed area of Astro.

My question is, how do I observe variability when there are weather systems that rub more than a month and sometimes more out of my viewing?

I wanted to ask if astronomers from the past had far great opportunities of consecutive nights to observe variable stars in particular. They must have been very at good record keeping, how does their observation opportunities compare to now.

I ask as it seems obvious to me that variable star observing, must have lots of nights to gain the data needed. I cannot see how I can contribute with one night a month. And I would love to contribute.

Marvin

 

[mikeDnight]

I'm not certain but whatever data you collect and send to the BAA or AAVSO  is valuable, in that it is added to a greater collection of data, so that a fuller picture of a stars variability is seen. So variable star observers effectively work together through the above organizations. Of course you will be able to choose to study variables with different periods, so if you miss one you may catch another at different stages of variability. 

[Dave Smith]

What mikeDnight has said is very relevant, You can alternatively study eclipsing binaries which have a regular periodic pattern so that you can get the full picture over a number of nights.

I have mostly been looking at HADS stars that have a cycle of only a few hours and so it is possible to get one or more complete cycles in one session.

See here for ideas https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oGA2HaEHE8L6eX19ZoHqQQTu0LYV56HX3Srg7oCtOHo/edit?hl=en&hl=en#gid=883500896

Dave

[Marvin Jenkins]

Thank so much for the replies. This seems to be one of the less followed astro pastimes but I am very interested.
I have been thinking for a little while now about my observations in the night sky and if they could be more relevant. In other words how could I contribute to the knowledge ‘data base’. Especially as a lot of astro seems to need more equipment than I possess.

This looks perfect. I hope to contribute in the future.

Marvin

[Guest]

Hi Marvin, I've just started variable star observing. I find it fascinating but there's a steep learning curve, for me at least. The AAVSO website has some excellent documents about variable star observation with DSLRs and CCD's and Dave's description at the top of this thread is a great starting point.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Whirlwind]

I wasn't clear whether you wanted to look for variable stars visually or via CCD.  I believe (though have never undertaken the exercise myself) is that you can see the change in magnitude of Algol. Its period is just shy of 3 days so if you check when the eclipses are you may be able to see the change visually (weather permitting).