[Aavso-photometry] Mentoring for your 0.5 meter Cass

[Greg Crawford]

One book I have found extremely helpful, while waiting for the next edition of
"Astronomical Photometry", is Brian D. Warner's book, "A Practical Guide to
Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis 2nd edition". See here:
http://www.minorplanetobserver.com/pgbook/PracticalGuide.htm

Interestingly, it has a review by the *other* Brian Warner, the South African
variable star specialist. (Brian D. Warner is an American.)

Also, Brian D. Warner's latest "Canopus" software, version 9.4.0.2 makes
standardised photometry of variable stars *so*  easy. Calculation of
transformation coefficients is done internally in the program. Also, when a
variable star field with AAVSO data is measured, it can load the AAVSO data on
the comparison stars, (or allow you to edit them if newer values have become
available), and internally calculate all elements of the standard transformation
equations to enable you to out put measurements in the new AAVSO format.

Greg Crawford



-----Original Message-----
From: aavso-photometry-bounces at mira.aavso.org
[mailto:aavso-photometry-bounces at mira.aavso.org] On Behalf Of arne
Sent: Wednesday, 2 January 2008 2:49 AM
To: aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org
Subject: Re: [Aavso-photometry] Mentoring for your 0.5 meter Cass

Derek C Breit wrote:

>>>As for a camera, that is an issue.. The observatory and I both own the
> 
> same camera, an ST 7.. Mine I am 99% sure is an ABG camera. It is possible
> the observatory's camera is an NABG model.. I am pretty convinced that I can
> learn the ropes with it, but will quickly reach the limits of the precision
> capable with this camera.. This is after rereading Tom Krajci's
> ST 7 Linearity Testing page.. 
> 
> So I posted this to the group to get an answer or two about whether to get
> "Astronomical Photometry" now or wait for an updated version (This might
> also be something we already have but have not found yet), and can an ST7
> ABG camera be used to do photometry to 0.01m or better??
> 
While progress continues to be made on the new book, you should consider
another book for your immediate needs.  Astronomical Photometry is good
for UBV photometry and shows you in complete examples the process of
differential photometry, extinction and all-sky photometry.  Many of
the more recent books do an excellent job of explaining CCD cameras and
how to calibrate them, but do not give good explanations of scientific
photometry.  So I can't recommend a single book right now, but many
combinations of texts will do the job.  The AIP Handbook should probably
be your starting point, and you should spend the cash to upgrade to
version 2.

I think I will take the time to place some book reviews online for
everyone - let's see if I can get this done in January (Yet Another
New Year's Resolution!).
Arne
_______________________________________________

Aavso-photometry mailing list
Aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org
http://www.aavso.org/mailman/listinfo/aavso-photometry