Web Publications

Observing Dwarf Cepheids for Fun and Profit

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John R. Percy

Department of Astronomy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A7

Robert Dick

Rolf Meier

Douglas Welch

Ottawa Center, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

Abstract

Dwarf Cepheids are pulsating variable stars with periods of 1 to 6 hours and amplitudes of 0.3m to 1.0m. Visual observers can therefore follow them through one or more cycles on a single night, and see the results of their observations almost immediately. Such observations are useful in studies of the period changes in these stars, which in turn can shed some light on the evolutionary status of the stars. As an example, some recent observations of CY Aqr are analyzed and discussed.