[Aavso-photometry] Reporting Data, Guidelines for a new person?

[Ed Wiley]

I am just getting into variables. I am starting with CCD V-filter photometry
on some selected Miras that have recent observations that I can use to
compare my results. (So far, so good or at least reasonable!).

My regular work is with neglected double stars, where I report the average
of four observations (position and angle) and the standard deviation.  

However, I understand that (and why) the AAVSO needs single observations
with one comparison star for standardization. I am now taking a minimum of
3-4 images. So, a bit of advice would help me considerably.

1. Consulting Quick Look I have not found a case of more than one
observation reported for the Miras I am following. Does this mean that the
usual protocol is a single CCD image? I would feel a bit strange if I was
the only person who was posting, say, say, three V magnitude estimates taken
at 5 minute intervals. But, I will not feel strange at all if this is the
correct protocol.

2. If I have an obvious "outlier," perhaps due to a hot pixel or some such
thing, should I drop that measure, given that it does not agree with the
other 2-3 measures.  For example, of three measures I took of RCom, one
deviated considerable: 13.51, 13.50, 13.42, but since all have excellent
SNR, the "errors" were all small.

3. Any standard way of measuring accuracy error for a series. For example,
computing standard deviation using pairs of companion stars?

4. If so, should I put comments like "series of four images, SD +/-..." in
the comments section.

5. I am taking a "monkey-see-monkey-do" attitude towards picking companion
stars. I have noted in playing around that V-mag estimate can vary
considerably by picking different comparison stars, even those close in
magnitude (no doubt due to color differences). So, I am going with what
seems to be what others have picked for the stars I am measuring. I assume
this is a good thing.

Many thanks for any advice and answers!

Ed Wiley
Remote Astronomical Society Observatory
http://www.remote-astronomical-society.org/