[vsnet-chat 4257] Re: vsnet chat topics

[Lew Cook <lcoo@yahoo.com>]

Dr. Kato has an excellent point: report all observations. Might I
respectfully point out that much of our present controversy might
have been avoided it we ALL reported ALL our observations, including
negative and uncertain ones, in a prompt and timely fashion, denoting
observations we are unsure of with a mark (: or ?) and perhaps with
an accompanying definitive observation such as 

UR LUP 13.0? 
UR LUP <12.6 

I know it is a pain to type this stuff, but it is VERY useful.
A gap in a light curve filled by a negative data point will answer
the researcher's question: "Was there an outburst that week or not?"
which helps in understanding the outburst behavior of these
irregularly burping stars. There have been several times I would have
paid good money to find the answer to that question. Not a problem
for a well observed star like SS Cyg, but vital for many others. 

I know looking for a faint star and not seeing it may seem a
disappointment and seeing a rare outburst (especially first) is a
thrill. When we examine the light curves in the harsh light of day,
those gaps are even more disappointing. To learn (or suspect) that
there could have been information on the behavior on a star during a
gap gnaws at the very innards of the person investigating the star's
behavior.

Sheepishly, I will admit to being a prime offender in failing to
report, possessing a number of CCD observations that have not seen
the light of day in any of CBA, AAVSO, or VSNET files. And I know
there is no UR LUP but it does offer a light-hearted tone (in the
English language) and also won't be confused with a real observation.

Regards, Lew

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