Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Tue, 05/03/2016 - 20:27

Hi folks,

I'm quite new to Variable Stars (but a long time Astronomy amateur) looking for advice to get a book on the subject that covers Variable Star types, some of the Physics involved and, if possible, visual observation.

I think I want some hint to choose between two books both named Observing Variable Stars, one by G A Good and another by David H Levy. Should you point to another candidate, I will be grateful anyway.

Thanks in advance,

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
variable star books

For those just starting I would recommend "GUIDE TO VARIABLE STARS "  by David Levy. .....ISBN-13 978 0 521 60860 2 and ISBN-10 0 521 60860 0        Cambridge University Press

 

 

 

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Variable Star Books

 

A favorite of mine is "Understanding Variable Stars" by John R. Percy.

 

 

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
This book specializes on CV types

Cataclysmic Variable Stars - How and Why They Vary
By Coel Hellier

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
The bible for cataclysmic

The bible for cataclysmic variable stars:

Cataclysmic Variable Stars - Brian Warner

Regards,

Velimir

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
one more

All of the above are excellent recommendations. Let me add one more to the collection:

"An Introduction to Close Binary stars” By R.W. Hilditch. 

Best wishes – clear skies,

Stella.

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Some more examples

Some more specialized examples:

Eclipsing Binary Stars: Modeling and Analysis - Josef Kallrath, Eugene F. Milone

Short-Period Binary Stars: Observations, Analyses, and Results - Eugene F. Milone, Denis A. Leahy, David W. Hobill

An Introduction to the Evolution of Single and Binary Stars - Matthew Benacquista

Clear skies,

Velimir

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Thanks for your input

I greatly appreciate it. I could even get some of the suggestions right now through a local library.

Sure, I already checked this site readings. Especially "Variable Star Astronomy" section and the Variable Star of the Season series are great enjoyable starting points.

Best regards

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
I have both editions of David

I have both editions of David Levy's book.  I wish the universe would arrange itself in such a way as to make a third edition of Observing Variable Stars:  A Guide for the Beginner possible.  No one captured the pure fun of observing variables better than David did in that book.

(As an aside, Cambridge has odd ideas of appropriate book pricing lately.  The 1989 edition -- my favorite of the two -- is available on Amazon as print on demand for $65, with the Kindle version at $42.  The full color Cambridge Double Star atlas is cheaper than that!)

--Michael (RMW) in Houston

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Hi again,

Hi again,

I got some works from your above suggestions, mainly on cataclysimic variables. It turns out to be a much more interesting subject than I earlier thought.

Also I have David Levy's first edition, bought second hand ridiculously cheap (RMW, your remarks on Cambridge pricing policy are spot on). Not just "interesting", it is actually wonderful. A real joy to read.

Thank you very much,