(Also posted to this general forum to reach a larger audience ;))
The Variable Star IndeX (VSX) is our megadatabase of variable stars.
We try to provide complete, accurate and up-to-date information on each of the objects included in it.
But with more than 2 million objects (and many millions waiting to be added), this is not an easy task.
That's where you -our observers, data-miners, researchers, colleagues- play a very important role: you can help us revising existing entries, adding new information, submitting new entries, correcting mistakes.
VSX follows a "do-it-youself" approach. You can create a VSX account and change the relevant information -as long as you add proper supporting documentation or/and literature references-.
We often receive emails from observers requesting the addition of references, new objects, AUIDs, etc.
Unfortunately, we can't use our time to add objects on an individual basis because we have a continuous backlog of variable star lists, alert objects and journal papers to process. Single object additions take time and that's when we need you to do it yourself.
So the first step is to create a VSX account if you haven’t got one:
https://www.aavso.org/vsx/index.php?view=registration.top
And you should read all the available online help that will show you how a VSX submission or revision should be prepared:
https://www.aavso.org/vsx/_images/Manual.pdf
https://www.aavso.org/vsx/index.php?view=about.notice#policy
https://www.aavso.org/vsx/index.php?view=about.faq
Regarding references, we do not think of VSX as a complete source of bibliography, you have SIMBAD and the ADS for that. The references added to VSX are those that are used to revise some of the information shown in the star page. E.g.: if you revise a star period from a JAAVSO paper, then you add the reference to that JAAVSO paper because you used it to revise the entry. So the usual approach will be submitting a revision -including a reference- and not just adding a reference on its own.
And about AUIDs, we now have an automated AUID assignment process in place. Use the Request AUID link in the AAVSO UID field if you need to submit data for a star without an AUID. An AUID will be assigned automatically if the star is a known confirmed variable with an acceptable range. Otherwise, VSX moderators will receive a notification and assign the AUID eventually or contact you in order to get more details.
Using VSX to request an AUID is the fastest way to get an AUID assigned. E-mails to HQ may take several days to be acted upon.
I hope this clears up some doubts and we encourage you to follow this "do-it-yourself" approach.
Thanks and best wishes,
Sebastian