VSX and AID are intimately related but they serve two different function. Here is a brief description of each:
VSX - stands for variable star index. It is a repository we keep of all variable stars that are known and information about them such as magnitude, variability, and spectral type among others. It is not completely comprehensive but we are adding to it all the time from various surveys, user submissions, and the like.
AID - stands for AAVSO internation database. This is our database of photometric observations that users submit. If you have ever used webobs, this is where your observations go. Unlike VSX there is no data on the stars properties, but rather how it varies over time.
I accidentally deleted Bert's reply to this posting, so I am going to repeat what he said and expand a bit.
It doesn't matter if a star is a survey star or not. That is only related to the star discovery and its identifier but not to the star nature, or to the importance of observing it.
Any star can be observed if it is interesting and its amplitude is enough to justify putting your time and effort on it.
VSX includes stars from most known surveys.
And the AID will welcome observations of stars having been discovered by anyone, no matter if it is an AAVSO observer, a spacecraft like Gaia or a ground based survey like ASAS-SN.
The only thing that is needed to submit data to the AID is that the star has an AUID in VSX. If it doesn't have it, you can request one and once it is assigned you will be able to submit data.
If the star is a survey star or not, that is not relevant.
Hi Mikhail,
I think you still didn't understand the concept:
"Does AID include all GCVS stars or just part of them?"
The AID includes all stars that have had observations submitted. It doesn't matter if they are GCVS stars or not.
Since not all GCVS stars have been observed by AAVSO observers, there is only a fraction of GCVS stars with data in the AID.
But if you want to go out tonight and observe one of those stars and then submit the data, that star will have observations in the AID from that moment on.
VSX includes all GCVS stars.
Not all GCVS stars have AUIDs so if you want to observe one of those, you will need to request an AUID first.
Hello,
VSX and AID are intimately related but they serve two different function. Here is a brief description of each:
VSX - stands for variable star index. It is a repository we keep of all variable stars that are known and information about them such as magnitude, variability, and spectral type among others. It is not completely comprehensive but we are adding to it all the time from various surveys, user submissions, and the like.
AID - stands for AAVSO internation database. This is our database of photometric observations that users submit. If you have ever used webobs, this is where your observations go. Unlike VSX there is no data on the stars properties, but rather how it varies over time.
Does this help.
Thanks,
Bert Pablo
Staff Astronomer, AAVSO
So, AID does not include surveys stars? Or AID may include ASASSN etc stars after UID getting by request?
I accidentally deleted Bert's reply to this posting, so I am going to repeat what he said and expand a bit.
It doesn't matter if a star is a survey star or not. That is only related to the star discovery and its identifier but not to the star nature, or to the importance of observing it.
Any star can be observed if it is interesting and its amplitude is enough to justify putting your time and effort on it.
VSX includes stars from most known surveys.
And the AID will welcome observations of stars having been discovered by anyone, no matter if it is an AAVSO observer, a spacecraft like Gaia or a ground based survey like ASAS-SN.
The only thing that is needed to submit data to the AID is that the star has an AUID in VSX. If it doesn't have it, you can request one and once it is assigned you will be able to submit data.
If the star is a survey star or not, that is not relevant.
I hope this is much clearer now.
Cheers,
Sebastian
A lot of thanks! Now I better understood new feature in VSP, but there is final question: does AID include all GCVS stars or just part of them?
Hi Mikhail,
I think you still didn't understand the concept:
"Does AID include all GCVS stars or just part of them?"
The AID includes all stars that have had observations submitted. It doesn't matter if they are GCVS stars or not.
Since not all GCVS stars have been observed by AAVSO observers, there is only a fraction of GCVS stars with data in the AID.
But if you want to go out tonight and observe one of those stars and then submit the data, that star will have observations in the AID from that moment on.
VSX includes all GCVS stars.
Not all GCVS stars have AUIDs so if you want to observe one of those, you will need to request an AUID first.
Best wishes,
Sebastian
Yes, dear Sebastian, thank you again for patient explanations! Now I catched main idea :)