Hi everyone,
As a user of the N.I.N.A. Exoplanet/Variable Stars plugin, I've been in contact with the creator of the Variable Star plugin, @rbarbera, on the Discord NINA Plugin Discussions section.
The plugin currently includes only a few variable stars, so I reached out to @rbarbera and provided a CSV file with about 1,800 variables that I downloaded from the AAVSO target tool. I explained that the variability ephemerides (start/end times) are not necessary—just the star's elevation, RA/Dec, and magnitude range are needed since, outside of campaigns or exoplanet observations, we don't need to know where the variability begins and ends.
However, the CSV file I downloaded has many duplicates. Could someone knowledgeable join the discussion on Discord to help guide @rbarbera in making this plugin more useful for the variable star community? Maybe even coming up with more variables to add to the CSV?
I also made sure to clarify that, other than being a member, I do NOT represent AAVSO, nor am I the most qualified to give suggestions. If you could please join the discussion and help ensure that @rbarbera modifies his plugin to address the needs of our community, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Pablo Lewin (LPAC)
Well, I don't know if anybody reads this forum so I will answer myself. The NINA variable plugin now accepts AAVSO CSVs created by the AAVSO Target tool..super useful to automate observations
Cheers
Pablo Lewin LPAC
Greetings Pablo,
There are lots of duplicates because often each star has a separate record for each filter.
Try setting the Filter/Mode to "v=". This should give you only the records for the V filter, skipping the "Visual" records.
If you have other suggestions on how to make the https://targettool.aavso.org useful, please pass them on!
Cheers,
George
Thanks George..I just needed an AAVSO CSV file for the Exoplanet/Variable star plugin people to modify their plugin to be able to read the AAVSO format, as such that was done and on top of that the "calculate exposure time" which will calculate the maximum exposure time that will not saturate the sensor now also works for variables. all of it is operational right now , fully automating the variable star observations.
Take care
Pablo
Depending on the goals of NINA, you could also consider importing all of VSX down to some limiting magnitude. We update VSX's entry on Vizier either weekly or bi-weekly, so it would be an easy way to remain up to date.