A variable star, as its name suggests, is a star whose magnitude varies intrinsically, in contrast to eclipsing binaries whose magnitude
varies as a result of one star in the binary system eclipsing the other. True variables are one of five types, namely Mira stars, semiregular
stars, cepheids, eruptive variables and, finally, cataclysmic variables. Minimum to maximum magnitude can range from days to many months with
some variables displaying irregular periods.
A popular method for the study of variable stars, particularly short-term variables, is by the use of the technique known as "differential
photometry". Rather than measure the (variable) magnitude of a variable star on an absolute scale, measurements are made over time relative to
one or more non-variable star(s) and these differences are then plotted so as to study and illustrate the relative or differential change in
magnitude. Due to the very large number of variables stars, the field of differential photometry represents one of the key fields in astronomy
whereby the amateur astronomer can make a meaningful and long-lasting contribution to both science and astronomy.
More recently, the search for extrasolar planets (over 700 discovered so far) has identified yet another interesting application for the
practice of differential photometry whereby the minute drops in magnitude of a star hosting an exoplanet are studied. Further details for the
interested party are available here.
Note: The short-period pulsating star GSC 03441-01256 is a fast pulsating variable star with a period of 119.52
minutes and which involves a delta mag of 0.04 (R) magnitudes during this brief time interval. GSC 03441-01256 is a delta Scuti variable
which lies 14.05 arc-minutes from the exoplanet host star HAT-P-22
and which may explain its very recent discovery and coincidentally following the announcement of the transiting exoplanet around HAT-P-22 by
Bakos et al.
Further details from the International Variable Star Index are available
here whereas an AAVSO finder chart is available
here.
Variable Star: GSC 3441-1256 Other Designation: CzeV218 RA / Dec: 10h 21m 41s / +50° 17' 33" Magnitude: 10.567 - 10.607 (R) Period: 0.083 days Variability: DSCT Comparison Star: GSC 3441:0569 Check Star: GSC 3441:1113 |
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Date: Mar 04-05, 2013 22:34 - 03:46 UT+2 Location: Athens, Greece Equipment: AP 305/f3.8 Riccardi-Honders AP 1200GTO GEM SBIG ST-10XME SBIG CFW10 SBIG LRGB filters Integrations:
Temperatures:
Software: CCDSoft V5.00.201 AIP4Win V2.4.0 Processing: Reduction Differential Photometry |