[Aavso-photometry] Photometry with an Optec SSP-3

[arne]

Larry Gorski wrote:
> Hello:
> 
> While I've observed variable stars for several years most of observational work has been visual and many years ago.  Years ago I purchased an Optec SSP-3  (Generation 1) photometer but I haven't used it for years until I recently tbrushed off the cobwebs.  One star that I used to monitor photometrically was R Sct so my inclination was to start with R Sct again.  My setup at home is simple.  Optec SSP-3 (Generation 1) at the back end of C-8 (circa 1980).  In order to improve the quality of my efforts, I searched the AAVSO PEP Charts for a R Sct "P" chart .  There wasn't any.  My question is "Which star, if any, is the star that is typically used as a comparison star and a check star?"
> 
> Thanks for your input.
> 
R Sct is not on the PEP "program", which is why there is no PEP chart.
This RV Tau variable ranges from V=4.5 at maximum (pretty consistent)
to V=8.5 at minimum (but with minima from 6th to 8.5, not very
consistent).  Matt Templeton has looked at its variation; Janet was
a coauthor on an R Sct paper; Al Gilmore and Pam Kilmartin, southern
members/observers at Mt. John worked on R Sct with Karen Pollard for years.

The normal comparison stars for R Sct are
ID    SAO#     RA (1950) DEC     V   (B-V) (V-Rc) (V-Ic)
comp  142661  18:47:00  -05:58  5.99  1.60  0.83  1.55
check 142598  18:43:21  -06:18  7.92  1.26  0.65  1.30

(from Pollard et al., 1996, MNRAS 279, 949)

Note that these are 1950 coordinates.
Arne