Affiliation
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC)
Wed, 01/12/2022 - 15:14
Hi All
I would be interested in observing LPV's but it would be with binoculars and a Dobsonian, so strictly visual. Though I have taken the course on VPhot, I am not at a point of going to photometry yet.
Would these observations be welcome?
I am looking at the 2022 LPV for 2022 to start. WZ Cas. Currently I observe Rho Cas.
Kim Hay
Visual observations are very welcome and needed.
LPVs are an area that really needs visual observations because they have such long term visual records which we can use to monitor for long term changes in their behavior. It will take decades for photometry to catch up and eventually replace this.
I recommend checking out the LPV Observing Section Webpage https://www.aavso.org/aavso-long-period-variable-section
There is a binocular program and the standard LPV program on the page which lists recommend stars.
You can also use VSX to generate an observing list which meets your observing limits. The campaign box can then be used to restrict the results to LPV program stars.
I teach a CHOICE Course, starts July 5th, which goes over the usefulness of visual observations, how to select appropriate targets for your equipment, and how to utilize AAVSO resources to generate an observing program. You should check it out!
Clear Skies,
Rich Roberts (RRIA)