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!!

Choosing Targets 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

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 The following stars are easy to find and easy to observe, as well as being active enough to be rewarding targets for new observers. All charts are copyright AAVSO.

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 The types discussed here and in the next few slides are stars that are interesting because outbursts are rare or because we don’t have a clear idea of what type they actually are.

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!