[vsnet-id 156] (fwd) Checking New Variables (Greaves)

[Taichi Kato <tkato>]

(fwd) Checking New Variables (Greaves)

Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 08:36:49 +0000
From: JG <jgts@jgws.totalserve.co.uk>
Subject: Checking New Variables

[This file contains links to suspected variable data sources]

The fact that there are now nearly as many 'known' variable stars
unlisted in official repositories as there are listed ones is becoming a
problem for the more well equipped and/or interested observer.

Whilst searching for some lists myself via the VSNET website's excellent
internal search device [especially excellent compared to the usual fare
of web search engines] I noted that data on new variables were dotted
about many disparate listings throughout the site.

I also noticed that debates have arisen from time to time re correcting
this situation, with professionals noting that the IBVS is the proper
place for things to be published [which it is], whilst amateurs have
noted how difficult that is, especially when the character of the object
has not yet been fully ascertained.  The publishing system of TeX is
also one of those difficult, somewhat arcane, esoteric systems that can
only defended by those that know it intimately, ie the cognoscenti.

The Sternberg Astronomical Institute of late has put great expertise and
effort into correcting such situations, with an increased output and
higher rate of relevant catalogues which are often accessible via the
CDS for download or for interrogation via SIMBAD and/or VIZIER.

SIMBAD and VIZIER are on the whole not strictly relevant here, however,
because the preliminary level that the data for these sort of objects is
often at, is not within their remit.

VSNET itself tries to resolve some of these problems with postings and
links.

Yet the case remains that the problem is still more or less intransigent
for the _barely_ suspected variables.

A case in point has arisen very recently.  After reading VSNET-CHAT
02818 I happened to follow the link to G. Masi's [impressive] website.
There I noted some interesting pages showing images of a probable
variable lying near the planetary nebula M27 that were taken in 1996,7.

Checking this against my datafiles I find that this variable is exactly
coincident with the independently discovered MisV0719, and on checking
their webiste I found MisV0719 was logged as a late 1999 discovery.

Given its position near a photogenic object, and its magnitude range, I
would not be surprised if it had been noted on many separate occasions.

Of late I have proffered TDF files to anybody interested listing as many
suspect variables as I could easily obtain data for.  People need the
Guide 7 planetarium program to use these files effectively, but I know
that many Australian, German, Japanese, UK and US observers use this
software, and the number of other languages it is available in suggests
that other Europeans also make strong use of it [eg Holland, Italy:
nearly all non-English language versions are apparently translated by
users].

A handful of direct and indirect indications have revealed that some of
these files have been of great practical use to some variable star
observers.

I therefore repeat here links to all the added datasets I have made TDF
files for over the past year or so, some of which have been posted at
www.projectpluto.com/extras and some at
www.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet.  By placing them together I hope to
provide one easily referred to link, and have hopefully named this
message appropriately re search engines.  The links contain full details
of the data and how to freely access/download the relevant files, plus
details of how to use these files via the included TDF [and occasional
ETB] files. Relevant references re the source data are also given at
these links.

ETHOS

Basically, if someone feels they have discovered a new variable, they
should turn on every one of these user datasets and check the position
of the object in question to see if it is already known.  It would also
be wise to turn on every internal dataset that comes with Guide, which
includes ones for the GCVS & NSV & Downes&Shara and for objects like
AGNs, BLLACs and QSOs.

To some extent this can also be used as a test for cross identifications
for already known objects, although only on a one at a time basis: there
is no facility to match entire lists, that is a database management
package function. An example would be CGCS 1960 = TmzV386 = HS 434 = GSC
4833 0939.

[Of course, normal checks re asteroids must also be made, and things
like past images checked when near galaxies fields: ie for suspected
supernovae].

Remember also, that there are still several small datasets not included
here, and also some other objects [eg Dahlmark variables] for which I
have not been able to find a suitable ascii dataset.

These files are freely available for anybody to use whenever, the only
constraint is that any results based on these works _must_ take the
usual proper route via academic references re the _original_ source data
[references are noted in the links].  There is, on the other hand, no
need whatsoever to refer to the TDFs etc having been used, nor to
myself.

Any truly interesting results so gleaned ought to also be checked via
the more traditional routes.

Once we are on the internet we sometimes forget that not every other
astronomer going who has a computer is also on the internet, or if so,
is not necessarily a subscriber to or browser of VSNET.  Therefore folk
should feel free to distribute these files freely to whomever they feel
would benefit, whether to friends or to observing groups, via floppy
disk. [No charge must be made except possibly to recoup the cost of the
floppies: also adhere to the restrictions stated with the source data re
distribution, usually included in a readme file accompanying the data at
the relevant website].

Others will use another planetarium program instead of Guide.  I have
exclusively used Guide since version 2 in 1993 and have never used any
other suite of its ilk, so if users of other software packages are
interested in this sort of idea, they will have to do their own relevant
conversions.  In these instances the following links will at least point
them towards the data sources.

[I am not a VSNET subscriber, so general points re this posting should
be directed to me rather than waste VSNET bandwidth.  Unless, of course,
the point being made is relevant to VSNET and/or the problem of new
variables as a whole.

Guide by ProjectPluto has its own egroup with a link via
www.projectpluto.com, so kindly don't flood VSNET with questions re
Guide usage].

John

John Greaves, UK
jgts@jgws.totalserve.co.uk

Takamizawa Variables:-

http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Mail/vsnet-chat/msg02733.html

with the Takamizawa files available via:-

http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Mail/vsnet-chat/msg02735.html

MISAO variables TDF & ETB, & ETB for some TA var's:-

http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Mail/vsnet-chat/msg02764.html

FASTT stars:-

http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Mail/vsnet-chat/msg02819.html

Haseda Variables & MISAO variables update:-

http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Mail/vsnet-chat/msg02820.html

New Suspected Variable Supplement data:-

http://vsnet.projectpluto.com/extras.htm#NSVS

New Suspected Variable Supplement notes & cross IDs:-

http://vsnet.projectpluto.com/extras.htm#NSVS_notes

Catalogue of Cool Galactic Carbon Stars (CGCS):-

http://vsnet.projectpluto.com/extras.htm#cgcs

Name List 75 details, TDF and errata:-

http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Mail/vsnet-chat/msg02811.html
http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Mail/vsnet-chat/msg02812.html

NameList 75: inclusion of cross identification data:-

http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Mail/vsnet-chat/msg02814.html

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