5-Star Analysis Tutorial

This 5-Star Analysis Tutorial^* is meant to introduce you to basic ways of data processing and inspection. It does not assume a background in astrophysics, statistics or anything similar. However, all good researchers need to understand what their data actually mean. So if you have never made a variable star estimate before, we strongly recommend first reading our 10-Star Observing Tutorial [1]. That will give you an idea of where these data come from and what it means to actually observe a variable star.

Click here to download the 5-Star Analysis Tutorial [2] (4MB PDF)

The tutorial links to a few online tools and web sites. For your convenience, below is a list of some of the links.

• AAVSO Online Light Curve Generator [3]
• VStar Data Analysis Software [4]
• Variable Star Astronomy [5] - online curriculum with excellent introductory chapters on data analysis
• Time Series Analysis of Astronomical Data [6] - more advanced period analysis tutorial
• Uncertainty in Choosing Maxima and Minima [7] - a webinar recording by Grant Foster about determining uncertainty in light curves
• Citizen Sky Interactive Simulator [8]- online binary star modeling tool (requires Citizen Sky log-in)
• Blog posts by Grant Foster (former AAVSO staff member and pioneer of many of our data analysis methods and software) about data analysis:
  • Through a Picket Fence [9] - About the problem of aliasing in variable star analysis
  • Seeing the Light [10] - About the precision of large data sets of visual observations
  • Skin a cat [11] - About multiple methods of looking for period change

^* The tutorial was originally written for the AAVSO's Citizen Sky [12] project and is written from that perspective, but everything in it is applicable to the AAVSO.