Cataclysmic Variables for Visual Observers

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
• Watch My News Flash
• Search Downes et al Catalog and Atlas of
  Cataclysmic Variables online
• Monitor CVnet Discussion, Circular and Outburst
  lists
• cvnet_at_aavso.org

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 --gt Outburst Magnitude
• 8---gt14-14.5V
• 10---gt14.5-15V
• 12---gt15-15.5V
• 14---gt15.5-16V
• 16 ---gt16-18V

8

• Immediate gratification and notification.
• This is supposed to be fun!
• Dont wear yourself out
• Take regular breaks
• Dont 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

10
SS Aurigae

• SS Aur
• UG
• 10.5 v - 15.8 v

11
HL Canis Majoris

• HL CMa
• UG/UGZ
• 11.7 V - 14.5 V

12
Z Camelopardalis

• Z Cam
• UGZ
• 10.5 v - 14.8 v

13
SU Ursae Majoris

• SU UMa
• UGSU
• 11.2 V - 15.0 V

14
AH Herculis

• AH Her
• UGZ
• 11.3 v - 14.7 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 - 14.5 V
• SS Cyg UGSS 8.2 v - 12.1 v
• RU Peg UGSS 9.0 V - 13.1 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 isI 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

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 -lt21 p

23
Var Her 04

• Var Her 04
• UGWZ?

24
1RXS J053234.9624655

• Barnard 01
• UGSU
• 11.6-17.5v
• Only two 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!