Web Publications

OBSERVING BRIGHT CEPHEIDS WITHOUT OPTICAL AIDS

pdf   ps

David G. Turner

Saint Mary’s University

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3C3

Canada

Presented at the 88th Annual Meeting of the AAVSO, October 29, 1999

Abstract

The eye can distinguish brightness differences as small as ±0.1 magnitude near the limit of vision. Bright variable stars can therefore be studied effectively without optical aid, provided such a restriction is satisfied. That conclusion has been confirmed by backyard observations of the bright Cepheids d Cephei, z Geminorum, and h Aquilae made during 1998-99 using newly-generated reference charts tied to photoelectric V-magnitudes rather than the usual “visual” magnitudes included on AAVSO charts. The derived light curves for the three bright Cepheids exhibit surprisingly little scatter, and are of potential scientific value for the study of period changes in the variables.

Link to ADS abstract, article and citation information