Cataclysmic Variables for Visual Observers

Cataclysmic Variables for Visual Observers Mike Simonsen C.E. Scovil Observatory Imlay City, MI, USA

Basic Visual Observing Strategy • We are the fire spotters of astronomy • The more observations you make, the more outburst detections you report • Observing every clear or mostly clear night increases your chances • The greater the number of targets… The more chances for success… More fun!!

AAVSO requests for observations Mine the chart catalog Monitor AAVSO My News Flash Search AAVSO Variable Star Index VSX Monitor CVnet Discussion, Circular and Outburst lists cvnet@aavso.org Choosing Targets

Advantages for Visual Observers • Greater numbers of stars can be monitored per night. • Less expensive and complicated than CCD observations. • Immediate gratification and notification.

Take advantage of the advantages • Greater numbers of stars can be monitored per night. • Get organized! • Charts and finder charts organized in binders • Organize by constellation or RA • Learn to locate the fields as quickly as possible • Repetition and practice = speed • Memorizing the fields comes automatically with repetition

Less expensive and complicated than CCD observations. • Keep it simple • Use the fewest number of eyepieces and gadgets • Get the largest telescope you can afford or move around • For the price of a CCD and software you can be using a large telescope

More Aperture Equals More Potential Targets • Numbers of stars increases exponentially with increased aperture Aperture --> Outburst Magnitude • 8”--->14-14.5V • 10”--->14.5-15V • 12”--->15-15.5V • 14”--->15.5-16V • 16”+ --->16-18V

Immediate gratification and notification. This is supposed to be fun! • Don’t wear yourself out • Take regular breaks • Don’t go for the absolutely faintest observation on every star • Include stars you can follow through the whole cycle in your program

RX Andromedae • RX And UGZ 10.9 v - 14.6 v

SS Aurigae • SS Aur UG 10.5 v - 15.8 v

HL Canis Majoris • HL CMa UG/UGZ: 11.7 V - 14.5 V

Z Camelopardalis • Z Cam UGZ 10.5 v - 14.8 v

SU Ursae Majoris • SU UMa UGSU 11.2 V - 15.0 V

AH Herculis • AH Her UGZ 11.3 v - 14.7 v

More examples • U Gem UG 9.1 V - 15.2 V • YZ Cnc UGSU 10.5 V - 15.5 V • SY Cnc UGZ 11.1 V - 14.5 V • SS Cyg UGSS 8.2 v - 12.1 v • RU Peg UGSS 9.0 V - 13.1 V

Negative observations are they worth it? ABSOLUTELY! • Remember, you may be the only person on the planet observing an outburst or a non-outburst at any given moment. • Your non-detection may help define the beginning of an important outburst.

There it is…I see it! • Carefully check the position/identity relative to the chart • Make the estimate carefully • Report unusual or important outbursts immediately

Big Game Hunting • Rare outbursting objects • WZ Sge types • CVs with unknown types • UG:, UGZ:, UGSU:, UGWZ? • SNOBs • Significant or Noteworthy OutBursters • BAAVSS Recurrent Objects Programme • Monitor recent discoveries and papers • Monitor CVnet discussion

HT Cassiopeiae • HT Cas • UGSU • 10.8 v - 18.4 v

AQ Canis Minoris • AQ CMi • UGSU • 14.4 V - 18.3 V

EG Cancri • EG Cnc • UGWZ • 11.4 V - 17.7 V

V592 Herculis • V592 Her • UGWZ • 12.3 p -<21 p

Var Her 04 • Var Her 04 • UGWZ?

1RXS J053234.9+624655 • Barnard 01 • UGSU • 11.6-17.5v • Newly discovered object with few outbursts observed thus far.

Summary • Get organized • Observe as many CVs as you can • Observe as often as you can • Practice makes perfect and results in numbers and speed • Do the research • Know which CVs are of interest to professionals and amateurs • Report your outburst observations in a timely fashion • Get out there and have some fun!

Cataclysmic Variables for Visual Observers