BAA VSS PROGRAMMES AND CHARTS
The Binocular Programme
This catalogue (V8.0 PDF, 21kb) lists all of the stars on the Section's Binocular Variable Star Programme . Charts for these stars can be ordered from the Chart Secretary. except those charts listed as TA charts which can be obtained from the Editor of The Astronomer Magazine (http://www.theastronomer.org).
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:
| BLLac | BL Lac object |
| DQ | DQ Her type object (Polar) |
| E | Eclipsing binary [EA - Algol type,
EB - Beta Lyr type, EW - W UMa type] |
| Gal | Galaxy (with variable nucleus) |
| GCas | Gamma Cas type eruptive variable |
| In | Irregular nebular variable [Ina - hot, Inb - cool] |
| L | Red irregular pulsating variable [Lb - giant, Lc - supergiant] |
| M | Mira type pulsating variable |
| N | Nova [Na - fast, Nb - slow, Nc - very slow, Nr - recurrent] |
| NL | Nova-like stars |
| QSO | Quasi-stellar object (Quasar) |
| RCB | R CrB type eruptive variable |
| RV | RV Tau type pulsating variable [RVa - constant mean mag,
RVb - varying
mean mag] |
| SDor | S Dor type eruptive variable |
| SR | Semiregular pulsating variable [SRa - stable periodicity,
SRb - loose
periodicity, SRc - supergiant, SRd - yellow] |
| UG | U Gem type cataclysmic variable (dwarf nova) [UGSS - SS Cyg type,
UGSU
- SU UMa type, UGZ - Z Cam type, UGWZ - WZ Sge type] |
| UV | UV Cet type (flare star) |
| X | X-ray binary [Xp - X-ray pulsar] |
| ZAnd | Z And type cataclysmic binary (symbiotic variable) |
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.