Hi everyone,
I am a naked-eye observer monitoring the Orion sector from a high-altitude location in Colorado. Over the last 14 years, I have maintained a consistent visual log of the entire constellation, tracking the relative brightness levels across all its major stars.
Recently, I pulled and reviewed 14 years of AAVSO light curve data for Betelgeuse, Rigel, and Saiph, and noticed a stark contrast in reporting volume. While Betelgeuse has an immense number of entries, Rigel has roughly a page’s worth, and Saiph shows only about half a dozen records for this entire 14-year window.
Because the public data for Saiph is so sparse, I am looking for help from the community to cross-reference a specific correlation in my logs. I noted a recorded massive brightening event at Betelgeuse that occurred just a few days before I noted a significant visual change in Saiph.
I am looking to gather input on the following points:
Has anyone else maintained an independent visual log for Saiph or Rigel that fills in the gaps left by the sparse database records over the last decade?
Did any observers track or record any sequential activity, unexpected brightness shifts, or correlations between Betelgeuse and Saiph during that specific timeframe (2014)?
Are there alternative archives or private observer groups where long-term baseline data for Saiph is more actively logged?
I would appreciate any insights, historical logs, or comparative data the community can share to help analyze this timeline.
Thanks for your time and input!
Stacy