Light Curve Generator Averages

Note: This feature is not available in the new light curve generator at this time. However, it will return eventually.

The online light curve generator can plot an average (mean) curve to the data. You can select the interval for days you want to take the individual average ("bins").

The averages are computed by taking the first data point in the interval and averaging it with all data in the interval up. Only visual and CCDV data are used. If there are no data points in the interval, no average is computed.

The error is a 1 sigma error calculated from standard deviation. No error is plotted if there is a single data point in the bin.

Formula for standard deviation. Click here for a HOA discussion on standard deviation.

A mean curve through individual data points of a variable star helps to display the average behavior of a star.

DISCLAIMER: The averages and error in these plots are by no means guaranteed because unvalidated data is used. They should NOT be used for any publication or scientific purpose. To get official AAVSO data fill out a data request form.

Example:

WX Cyg light curve. This is a very red carbon star so the scatter is heavy (almost 2 mags!).

WX Cyg light curve with a mean curve.