The ICCE  Programme

BAAVSS Charts

The section publishes detailed charts with labelled sequence comparisons.

All reasonably well drawn and specifically all charts numbered xxx.xx are now available here. They have been listed by constellation and the following information may assist in deciphering the particular chart reference. Where a chart is named UU Aql 9d 002.02, for example, the star designation is followed by the constellation (except in the case of objects such as Markarian509). Where applicable, the chart size is then shown. In this case it is a 9 degree chart, but other examples might be 20m for a 20 minute chart. Where there is only one chart for a particular variable (as with Binocular Charts), the size is not given. Next comes the standard notation adopted for more modern VSS charts i.e. xxx.xx. If this notation is not given and the chart only has a date, this is not given. It will be necessary to look at the chart itself to see the date. In addition, where a chart has more than one Section variable on it, each chart is now listed separately. (This has also been done to keep the chart name to a manageable length).

Observers are advised to report full estimates using the latest charts because such information can be useful during analyses, or if the sequence is revised at a later date.

Paper copies of all “VSS” charts are available from the Chart Secretary, John Toone,  Hillside View, 17 Ashdale Road, Cressage, Shrewsbury, SY5 6DT.

I hope this will enable observers to keep up to date more easily with the latest version of Section charts which will continue to be announced via the Circulars and electronically via BAAVSS-alert.

This catalogue (v14.1, PDF) lists all of the stars on the Section’s ICCE Variable Star Programme of ‘New’ variables.

Roger Pickard, Director

Alert stars are marked with an ‘*’. Please telephone Gary Poyner or the Director immediately for the following…

* Alert if in outburst.
** Alert if fading.

T/B means that the object is monitored as both a Telescopic and Binocular programme star.
R indicates that the object is part of the Recurrent Objects Program.

It should also be pointed out that these charts are intended for visual observers and they are not suitable for those intending to carry out photometry, either with a CCD or a DSLR, as the quoted comparison star magnitudes have been rounded to the whole tenth of a magnitude. Those wishing to carry out photometry and requiring more accurate comparison star data should contact the Director.

The following abbreviations are used in the ‘Type’ column:

The ‘Max’ and ‘Min’ magnitudes are all visual except where the ‘Min’ is followed by a ‘p’, in which case they are both photographic.

In the Eclipsing Binary Program list, the ‘D’ column gives the duration of the eclipse in hours. This is only well-defined for Algol type (EA) stars. ‘EB’ or ‘EW’ in this column indicates that the star is a Beta Lyrae or W UMa star.

The ‘Chart’ column gives the identifier or date of the latest version of the chart. A star name in this column indicates that the star is included on a combined chart under the name of another star. Where there is no date entered, the chart is currently being prepared.

If a star is highlighted, the link will take you directly to the chart.