[vsnet-chat 233] Re: observing season of Mira (omicron Cet)

[Fraser Farrell <fraserf@dove.net.au>]

G'day all,

On 1997-04-16 tkato@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp said:
   >was done by H. Itoh on Mar. 24.  Thanks to its brightness of the
   >recent record, many beginner variable star observers enjoyed this
   >monumental variable star. I have been always wondering how long is
   >the visibility of this variable from the southern hemisphere.
   >Being south, is it observable throughout the year?

With a Dec ~ -3, I would class Mira as equatorial, so the observing
season would be much the same from everywhere. From here at latitude 35
degrees-and-a-bit south, the observing season runs from May to March if
the local horizon is flat and clear.  Mine is limited to August to
January due to hills and trees.

Omicron Cet is not on my observing list.  In fact, I don't even look at
it nowadays unless it is (1) near max, and (2) someone happens to ask me
its whereabouts. It is already monitored by legions of observers in the
northern hemisphere.  My data contribution would be like adding a teacup
of water to a lake.

I think it is more useful to astronomy if I spend my "Omicron Cet
season" observing in Dor, Hyi, Ind, Pav, Phe, Tuc etc; watching the
variables that never rise above most observers' horizons.  My observing
opportunities are limited; so I concentrate on stars south of -20, with
digressions to some unusual (but easy-to-find) variables further north.

I suspect many southern hemisphere observers follow a similar strategy.
The 4th GCVS quotes only P mags for thousands of southern Miras and
SR's, some as bright as 5th magnitude visually!  We have almost no idea
of the detailed or long-term behaviour of most of them.  Many don't even
have a catalogued period.  Why waste my time observing Omicron Cet?



cheers,
Fraser Farrell

http://vsnet.dove.net.au/~fraserf/   email: fraserf@dove.net.au
traditional: PO Box 332, Christies Beach, SA  5165, Australia

VSNET Home Page

Return to Daisaku Nogami

---

vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp