Aims

• To observe a number of variable stars over the course of multiple weeks.
• To use the programming language Python to analyse the magnitude of these stars as a function of time
• To determine both the variable period and variation in magnitude of these stars
• Prior to this, take dark frames as detailed in Data and Logs dark study
• Use Python to analyse these dark frames via Histogram plots and plots of column mean and standerd deviation, to determine if the pixels follow a Poisson distribution.
• To compare my results regarding dark frames with Chris Haynes and Ryan Cheale's results.

List of Potential Targets

• Delta Cephei - Variable Star (Cephid Variable), magnitude variation 3.5 - 4.4, period 5.4 day, Good Visibility
• Beta Persei - Variable Star (Algol Variable), magnitude variation 2.1 - 3.4, period 2.9 day, Good Visibility-> eclipsing binary - Not Good
• Eta Aquila - Variable Star (Cephid Variable), magnitude variation 3.5 - 4.4, period 7.2 day, Poor Visibility
• RR Lyrae - Variable Star (RR Lyrae Variable) magnitude variation 7.06 - 8.12, period 0.6 day, Good Visibilty
• TU Cassiopeia - Variable Star (Cephid Variable) magnitude variation 6.88 - 8.18, period 2.14 day, Good Visibilty
• RZ Cassiopeia - Variable Star (Algol Variable) magnitude variation 6.18 - 7.72, period 1.2 day, Good Visibilty- > eclipsing binary - Not Good
• AB Auriga - Variable Star (Tau Tauri Variable) magnitude variation 6.3 - 8.4, period 6.5 day (Eruptive - but period given by AAVSO), Good Visibilty,
• W Gemini - Variable Star (Delta Cephei Variable) magnitude variation 6.54 - 7.38, period 7.9 day, Good Visibilty (although rises at 19:00),

Data and Logs

18/10/13 Dark Frames: Dark Study

23/10/13 FIrst Observation: Observation_RC_PH_CH

25/10/13 Dark Frames: Dark Study

1/10/13 Cooler Study: Cooler Study

05/12/13 Second Observation - Delta Cephei:Observation_PH_JD_LF

Python Tutorial

semilogy(True)

ylim(ymin,ymax) i.e. .1 1*e^7

for help with arrays use array.

array.shape = -1 -> flattens array

Major Project Meetings

24/10/13 Project Meeting Minutes

Useful Information

• Autosave Feature tutorial, by Ryan Cheale: Auto Save Feature Maxim DL5
• List of Variable star classifications: http://www.aavso.org/vsx/index.php?view=about.vartypes