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

2. 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!!

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. SS Aurigae
SS Aur UG
10.5 v v

11. HL Canis Majoris
HL CMa
UG/UGZ:
11.7 V V

12. Z Camelopardalis
Z Cam
UGZ
10.5 v v

13. SU Ursae Majoris
SU UMa
UGSU
11.2 V V

14. AH Herculis
AH Her
UGZ
11.3 v v

15. 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 V
SS Cyg UGSS 8.2 v v
RU Peg UGSS 9.0 V V

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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.

19. HT Cassiopeiae
HT Cas
UGSU 
10.8 v -  18.4 v

20. AQ Canis Minoris
AQ CMi
UGSU
14.4 V -  18.3 V

21. EG Cancri
EG Cnc
UGWZ
11.4 V -  17.7 V

22. V592 Herculis
V592 Her
UGWZ
12.3 p -<21 p

23. Var Her 04
Var Her 04
UGWZ?

24. 1RXS J
Barnard 01
UGSU v
Newly discovered object with few outbursts observed thus far.

25. 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!