BINOCULAR PROGRAMME – MODIFICATIONS
Melvyn Taylor
The binocular programme of mainly pulsating variables together with a few other types (M, RV, Ina, ZAND, GCas, SDor and NC) is being modified very slightly to assist both new and existing observers. The programme is changed little except that NQ Gem and CK Ori are dropped as only very minor variations not dissimilar to observers’ scatter are seen. It is likely that a set of ‘red irregulars’ (see level 4 below) may ultimately be dropped and that some more suitable ‘binocular’ variables may be added.
The VSS database has been consulted for assessing the priority scenarios. The distribution and continuity of the observational set in terms of the light-curve and determination of a star’s basic variation was seen as being more relevant than grand totals. One of the initial criteria in prioritising stars was not only about an object being ‘popular’ (i.e. easily found or considered to be important astrophysically) but that it may be seen to have definite brightness changes which is not always the case in terms of the characteristics of the pulsating classes. Data given is generally from the General Catalogue of Variable Stars.
This does not mean that if a star is dropped an observer should stop observing it if they still wish to, if they’ve been following it for years, for example. Their observations will still be accepted by the VSS.
Updated Apr 17 2014
| Priority level 1: |
| This list is as existing and as previously published, but it should be noted that V Boo, XX Cam, R CrB, omicron Cet and R Hya are not shown as they are on the telescopic programme. |
| Star | Const |
RA & Dec |
(2000.0) | Type | Range | Period | Seq. | |
| AQ | And | 00 28 | +35 35 | SR | 8 | 8.9 | 346 | 303.01 |
| EG | And | 00 45 | +40 41 | ZAnd | 7.1 | 7.8 | 72.02 | |
| V | Aql | 19 04 | -05 41 | SRb | 6.6 | 8.4 | 353 | 26.04 |
| UU | Aur | 06 37 | +38 27 | SRb | 5.1 | 6.8 | 234 | 230.02 |
| AB | Aur | 04 56 | +30 33 | Ina | 6.7 | 8.4 | 301.01 | |
| RW | Boo | 14 41 | +31 34 | SRb | 7.4 | 8.9 | 209 | 104.02 |
| RX | Boo | 14 24 | +25 42 | SRb | 6.9 | 9.1 | 160 | 219.02 |
| ST | Cam | 04 51 | +68 10 | SRb | 6 | 8 | 300 ? | 111.02 |
| X | Cnc | 08 55 | +17 04 | SRb | 5.6 | 7.5 | 195 | 231.02 |
| RS | Cnc | 09 11 | +30 58 | SRc | 5.1 | 7 | 120? | 269.01 |
| V | CVn | 13 20 | +45 32 | SRa | 6.5 | 8.6 | 192 | 214.02 |
| WZ | Cas | 00 01 | +60 21 | SRb | 6.9 | 8.5 | 186 | 323.01 |
| V465 | Cas | 01 18 | +57 48 | SRb | 6.2 | 7.8 | 60 | 233.02 |
| Rho | Cas | 23 54 | +57 29 | SRd | 4.1 | 6.2 | 320 | 64.01 |
| W | Cep | 22 37 | +58 26 | SRc | 7 | 9.2 | 312.02 | |
| AR | Cep | 22 52 | +85 03 | SRb | 7 | 7.9 | 332.01 | |
| Mu | Cep | 21 44 | +58 47 | SRc | 3.4 | 5.1 | 730 | 112.02 |
| RS | CrB | 15 59 | +36 01 | SRa | 7 | 10.2 | 332 | 220.02 |
| W | Cyg | 21 36 | +45 22 | SRb | 5 | 7.6 | 131 | 62.04 |
| AF | Cyg | 19 30 | +46 09 | SRb | 6.4 | 8.4 | 92 | 232.02 |
| CH | Cyg | 19 25 | +50 15 | ZAnd+SR | 5.6 | 11 | 97 | 89.03 |
| P | Cyg | 20 18 | +38 02 | SDor | 3 | 6 | 1972Jul29 | |
| U | Del | 20 46 | +18 06 | SRb | 5.6 | 7.9 | 110? | 228.02 |
| EU | Del | 20 38 | +18 16 | SRb | 5.8 | 6.9 | 60 | 228.02 |
| TX | Dra | 16 35 | +60 28 | SRb | 6.6 | 8.4 | 78? | 106.03 |
| AH | Dra | 16 48 | +57 49 | SRb | 7 | 8.7 | 158 | 106.03 |
| X | Her | 16 03 | +47 14 | SRb | 6.1 | 7.5 | 95 | 223.02 |
| SX | Her | 16 08 | +24 55 | SRd | 8 | 9.2 | 103 | 113.02 |
| UW | Her | 17 14 | +36 22 | SRb | 7 | 8.8 | 104 | 107.02 |
| AC | Her | 18 30 | +21 52 | RVA | 6.8 | 9 | 75 | 48.04 |
| IQ | Her | 18 18 | +17 59 | SRb | 7 | 7.5 | 75 | 48.04 |
| OP | Her | 17 57 | +45 21 | SRb | 5.9 | 7.2 | 120 | 324.01 |
| RX | Lep | 05 11 | -11 51 | SRb | 5 | 7.4 | 60? | 110.02 |
| SV | Lyn | 08 04 | +36 21 | SRb | 6.6 | 7.9 | 70? | 108.03 |
| Y | Lyn | 07 28 | +45 59 | SRc | 6.5 | 8.4 | 110 | 229.02 |
| U | Mon | 07 31 | -09 47 | RVB | 5.9 | 7.9 | 91 | 29.04 |
| X | Oph | 18 38 | +08 50 | M | 5.9 | 9.2 | 328 | 99.02 |
| BQ | Ori | 05 57 | +22 50 | SR | 6.9 | 8.9 | 110 | 295.01 |
| AG | Peg | 21 51 | +12 38 | Nc | 6 | 9.4 | 94.02 | |
| X | Per | 03 55 | +31 03 | GCas+Xp | 6 | 7 | 277.01 | |
| R | Sct | 18 48 | -05 42 | RVA | 4.2 | 8.6 | 146 | 26.04 |
| Y | Tau | 05 46 | +20 42 | SRb | 6.5 | 9.2 | 242 | 295.01 |
| W | Tri | 02 42 | +34 31 | SRc | 7.5 | 8.8 | 108 | 114.02 |
| Z | UMa | 11 57 | +57 52 | SRb | 6.2 | 9.4 | 196 | 217.02 |
| ST | UMa | 11 28 | +45 11 | SRb | 6 | 7.6 | 110? | 102.02 |
| V | UMi | 13 39 | +74 19 | SRb | 7.2 | 9.1 | 72 | 101.02 |
| SS | Vir | 12 25 | +00 48 | SRa | 6 | 9.6 | 364 | 97.02 |
| SW | Vir | 13 14 | -02 48 | SRb | 6.4 | 8.5 | 150? | 98.02 |
| Priority level 2: |
| The following are regarded (in the main) as under-observed or having poor continuity and several objects come to conjunction with the Sun so the light-curve is broken. |
| Star | Const |
RA & Dec |
(2000.0) | Type | Range | Period | Seq. |
| RS | And | 23 55 | +48 38 | SRa | 7 | 9.1 | 136 | 1977Sep10 |
| TZ | And | 23 51 | +47 31 | SRb | 7.6 | 9 | 1977Sep10 | |
| V450 | Aql | 19 34 | +05 28 | SRb | 6.3 | 6.7 | 64 | 70.02 |
| RV | Boo | 14 39 | +32 32 | SRb | 7.5 | 8.8 | 137 | 104.02 |
| U | Cam | 03 42 | +62 39 | SRb | 7.7 | 8.8 | 100.02 | |
| RY | Cam | 04 31 | +64 26 | SRb | 7.3 | 9.4 | 136 | 1972Jul29 |
| Y | CVn | 12 45 | +45 26 | SRb | 5.2 | 6.6 | 157 | 215.02 |
| TU | CVn | 12 55 | +47 12 | SRb | 5.6 | 6.6 | 50 | 215.02 |
| V393 | Cas | 02 03 | +71 18 | SRa | 7 | 8 | 393 | 337.01 |
| RU | Cep | 01 21 | +85 08 | SRd | 8.2 | 9.8 | 109 | 332.01 |
| RW | Cep | 22 23 | +55 58 | SRd | 6.2 | 7.6 | 346? | 312.02 |
| SS | Cep | 03 50 | +80 19 | SRb | 6.7 | 7.8 | 90 | 315.01 |
| FZ | Cep | 21 20 | +55 27 | SR | 7 | 7.6 | 302.01 | |
| RR | CrB | 15 41 | +38 33 | SRb | 7.1 | 8.6 | 61 | 220.02 |
| RU | Cyg | 21 41 | +54 19 | SRa | 8 | 9.4 | 233 | 302.01 |
| RV | Cyg | 21 43 | +38 01 | SRb | 7.1 | 9.3 | 263 | 335.01 |
| TT | Cyg | 19 41 | +32 37 | SRb | 7.4 | 8.7 | 118 | 227.02 |
| RY | Dra | 12 56 | +66 00 | SRb? | 6 | 8.2 | 200? | 225.02 |
| TU | Gem | 06 11 | +26 01 | SRb | 7.4 | 8.3 | 230 | 294.01 |
| TV | Gem | 06 12 | +21 52 | SRc | 6.6 | 8 | 42 | 294.01 |
| WY | Gem | 06 12 | +23 12 | Lc+E? | 7.2 | 7.9 | 294.01 | |
| ST | Her | 15 51 | +48 29 | SRb | 7 | 8.7 | 148 | 223.02 |
| V566 | Her | 18 08 | +41 43 | SRb | 7.1 | 7.8 | 137 | 324.01 |
| g(30) | Her | 16 29 | +41 53 | SRb | 4.3 | 6.3 | 89 | 224.02 |
| SX | Lac | 22 56 | +35 12 | SRd | 7.7 | 8.7 | 190 | 235.02 |
| CE | Lyn | 07 44 | +38 50 | SR | 7.8 | 8.7 | ? | 108.03 |
| R | Lyr | 18 55 | +43 57 | SRb | 3.9 | 5 | 46? | 330.01 |
| RV | Mon | 06 58 | +06 10 | SRb | 6.8 | 8.6 | 132 | 292.01 |
| SX | Mon | 06 52 | +04 46 | SR | 7.3 | 8.5 | 100 | 292.01 |
| W | Ori | 05 05 | +01 11 | SRb | 5.9 | 7.7 | 212 | 105.02 |
| GO | Peg | 22 55 | +19 34 | Lb | 7.1 | 8.3 | 103.02 | |
| SU | Per | 02 22 | +56 36 | SRc | 7 | 8.5 | 533 | 1974Jan13 |
| AD | Per | 02 21 | +57 00 | SRc | 7.7 | 8.4 | 362 | 1974Jan13 |
| Z | Psc | 01 16 | +25 46 | SRb | 7 | 7.9 | 144 | 278.01 |
| TV | Psc | 00 28 | +17 54 | SR | 4.7 | 5.6 | 49 | 1972Sep09 |
| S | Sct | 18 50 | -07 54 | SRb | 7 | 8.2 | 148 | 26.04 |
| t4 | Ser | 15 36 | +15 05 | SRb | 5.9 | 7.4 | 100 | 209.01 |
| TT | Tau | 04 52 | +28 32 | SRb | 8.1 | 8.8 | 166 | 301.01 |
| BU | Tau | 03 49 | +24 08 | GCas | 4.8 | 5.5 | 1983Oct03 | |
| RY | UMa | 12 21 | +61 19 | SRb | 6.7 | 8.3 | 310? | 217.02 |
| TV | UMa | 11 46 | +35 54 | SRb | 6.8 | 7.3 | 42 | 271.01 |
| VW | UMa | 10 59 | +69 59 | SR | 6.9 | 7.7 | 610 | 226.02 |
| BK | Vir | 12 30 | +04 25 | SRb | 7.3 | 8.8 | 150? | 270.01 |
| Priority level 3: |
| Stars that have been queried by period and/or type. |
| Star | Const |
RA & Dec |
(2000.0) | Type | Range | Period | Seq. |
| V | Ari | 02 15 | +12 14 | SRb | 7.8 | 8.8 | 77? | 1984Oct26 |
| W | Boo | 14 43 | +26 32 | SRb? | 4.7 | 5.4 | 450? | Undated |
| UV | Cam | 04 06 | +61 48 | SRb | 7.5 | 8.1 | 294? | 1972Jul29 |
| RT | Cnc | 08 58 | +10 51 | SRb | 7.1 | 8.6 | 60? | 311.01 |
| V460 | Cyg | 21 42 | +35 31 | SRb | 5.6 | 7 | 180? | 336.01 |
| V973 | Cyg | 19 45 | +40 43 | SRb | 6.2 | 7 | 40? | 232.02 |
| UX | Dra | 19 22 | +76 34 | SRa? | 5.9 | 7.1 | 168 | 1982Nov07 |
| U | Hya | 10 38 | -13 23 | SRb | 4.3 | 6.5 | 450? | 109.02 |
| RX | Vir | 12 05 | -05 46 | SRd? | 8 | 8.6 | 200? | 317.01 |
| Priority level4: |
| Not all the 'red-irregulars' are included here. These are considered unlikely to reveal further relevant data other than a trend of the variation and the overall mean range. Many of these stars would make a suitable longer term project for observers with a DSLR camera. |
| Possibly, if there is sufficient interest, a DSLR/instrumental observer may be keen to take on a few of these. |
| Star | Cons |
RA & Dec |
(2000.0) | Type | Range | Seq. | |
| SU | And | 00 05 | +43 33 | Lc | 8 | 8.5 | 1977Sep10 |
| BZ | And | 00 38 | +45 36 | Lb | 7.5 | 8.4 | 304.01 |
| Psi1 | Aur | 06 25 | +49 17 | Lc | 4.8 | 5.7 | 1973Jul14 |
| ZZ | Cam | 04 18 | +62 21 | Lb | 7.1 | 7.9 | 1972Jul29 |
| W | CMa | 07 08 | -11 55 | Lb | 6.4 | 7.9 | 213.02 |
| V391 | Cas | 01 57 | +70 12 | Lb | 7.6 | 8.4 | 337.01 |
| DM | Cep | 22 08 | +72 46 | Lb | 6.9 | 8.6 | Undated |
| UW | Dra | 17 58 | +54 40 | Lb | 7 | 8.2 | 1974Jul27 |
| BU | Gem | 06 12 | +22 55 | Lc | 5.7 | 8.1 | 294.01 |
| XY | Lyr | 18 38 | +39 40 | Lc | 5.8 | 6.4 | 331.01 |
| BL | Ori | 06 26 | +14 43 | Lb | 6.3 | 7.2 | 211.02 |
| KK | Per | 02 10 | +56 34 | Lc | 6.6 | 7.9 | 1974Jan13 |
| PR | Per | 02 22 | +57 52 | Lc | 7.6 | 8.3 | 1974Jan13 |
| TX | Psc | 23 46 | +03 29 | Lb | 4.8 | 5.8 | 276.01 |
| VY | UMa | 10 45 | +67 25 | Lb | 5.9 | 7 | 226.02 |
| RW | Vir | 12 07 | -06 46 | Lb | 6.7 | 7.6 | 317.01 |
BRIEF NOTE
For visual observers just starting observing and wishing to make their own set of stars from the VSS programmes the following advice is given.
As a simple selection theme the following constellations have a number of Binocular Programme stars: 9 in Cygnus and Hercules; 8 in Cepheus;6 in Andromeda and Ursa Major and 5 in each of Cassiopeia, Camelopardalis, Draconis and Virgo. Another obvious aspect of making a personal selection apart from the instrumental, local topographical and seasonal considerations, is that the database may be checked to appreciate the observed magnitudes. This may not coincide with the catalogued values or even with current estimates of other observers which could ‘put-off’ an observer’s confidence in their results. The Binocular Secretary is always willing to assist in the choice of stars to follow. In addition, he would like to hear from VSS observers of any possible new additions which could be added to the programme.
The lists above cater for 116 objects and in general new observers may first wish to select, say 10 or 15 stars and thereafter consider another 15 stars. One aspect of over-observing just a few stars has to be considered where bias comes into play. Even experienced observers may wish to re-develop their existing set of variables and this was another intention of creating the priorities as listed above.