Im just beginning, and trying to choose a specific type of variable to learn and observe first. I have a Baader B and V filter system. I have done my transform coeff. I get good SNR at 3 minute exposures for mag 10-11. I was thinking of starting with LPV, but I see those are usually redder stars. Will this be a problem for me. Any suggestion on what is a good program to begin with?
Looks as though no one has responded here, so I’ll make a stab at it. Rather than an LPV, I would suggest some type of short-period variable, such as an RR Lyrae type or W UMa type eclipser. The idea is that these are continuously variable on nightly timescales, so you’ll get something even after a few hours of observing. And after a few nights you’ll have complete phase coverage, which will be satisfying. Another sort are the SX Phe types. An excellent starter among those is CY Aqr, which has a large amplitude, and a period of only 90 minutes, something you can do in one evening — right at dusk just now. Another one, XX Cyg, is up a little longer at the moment. There are plenty of others like them. Hope that helps.
\Brian
Greetings,
I’m a big fan of high-amplitude delta-scutis (HADS) for a similar reason as Brian mentioned above: they have periods that last a few hours which means you can get light curves quite quickly! Like any larger pulsating star, HADS exhibit color change so you can not only get a nice B or V plot, but also a cool B-V one too!
You can find these by specifying “HADS” as the “Variability type” in VSX. You may need to click the “More” button twice for that box to show up.
Brian
I just did that for SXPHE(B) star ins VSX. Yes two More clicks to search by type. I got BQ Ind in the southern hemisphere with V Band in 2008 and green in 2024 (Seestar?) The period, amplitude, mode may have changed in those 16 years. Another was AE UMa with slightly more than 2^16 BVI observations and having a possible long period of about 16 years. Maybe both need more V observations to obtain science from the data?
Ray