ICCE putting the ‘New’  back into the New Variable star programme.

A programme to examine the variable star discoveries of Mike Collins was first proposed under Gary Poyner’s Directorship in March 1989 (see VSSC 83) and formally adopted as the New Variable Star Programme announced in VSSC 85 (September 1989).

In the time since 1989, although the program has attracted some interest and a few observers have followed a selection of the objects, the level of attention that the program has attracted has been significantly less than that of, for example, the ROP.

There have been papers published concerning objects in the program since 1989 which have resulted in a few objects receiving entries in the GCVS. Some of these papers have even included observations from contributing observers to the ‘new’ Variable star programme, although these participations have been on an individual basis rather than as part of the BAAVSS observational database.

The time is therefore ripe for a re-launch of the ‘New’ Variable Star Programme with more specific objectives and a revised list objects.

ICCE stands for :

Identification,
Characterisation, 
Correction of
Erroneous GCVS entry’s

The acronym summarising the objectives of the programme and the progression of objects onto, through and off of the programme.

If the identity of the object is not uniquely known then the determination of this is the first priority.

Where the identity is known the priority will be in determining the character of the object. The objects ‘character’ includes its range, period of variability and in some cases, with the support of the CCD equipped observers, the investigation of the variability at different wavelengths. Effectively the collection of characterisation information which is sufficient to ‘classify’ the variable within the GCVS scheme.

Once both unique identity and character (classification) have been established a GCVS entry should follow on publication of the results and the object can be removed from the programme.

For objects where an erroneous GCVS entry is suspected once sufficient data is available to either confirm or correct the GCVS entry which is under suspicion the object can be removed from the programme.

ICCE Programme 2005.

Comments on the programme objects:

V720 Cas – The identity of this object is not uniquely known, there being three stars within the error circle of the original discovery information. CCD images taken some weeks or months apart should reveal which of three candidates is actually the variable.

NSV2249 – This object has been on the CCD programme for some time. The amplitude range and strong red excess of the variable indicate a Mira type variability, however the identifying a consistent period for the object has proven surprisingly difficult.

TAV 0714 +17 – This object has a low amplitude and strong red colour that make reliable estimation visually difficult.

V2303 Oph – A new BAAVSS chart and sequence for this object is being prepared and will be available shortly.

V335 Vul –  A new BAAVSS chart and sequence for this object is being prepared and will be available shortly

J0712+296 - This object has a low amplitude and strong red colour that make reliable estimation visually difficult.

TAV 1933 +53 - This object has a low amplitude and strong red colour that make reliable estimation visually difficult.

NSV 24897 (TASV 1946+00) - A new BAAVSS chart and sequence for this object is being prepared and will be available shortly.

Further detailed comments on each of the objects in the programme will appear in future circulars.

There are opportunities for VSS members to contribute to the programme in a number of ways.

CCD equipped observers willing to assist in the development of sequences for these objects would be especially valuable at this stage. There are also objects on the programme (as noted above) that would particularly benefit from observation with CCD’s.

Visual observations of any of the programme stars would, of course, be appreciated. As data starts to accumulate on these objects there will be opportunities for the more statistically minded to analyse the data for publication.

The intention is to keep the programme small, but dynamic, with new objects being introduced and well studied objects removed on a regular basis.

The current list of potential objects for the programme numbers over 600 it is therefore unlikely that we will run out of work to be done in the foreseeable future!

I should be grateful if anybody who is interested in taking part in the programme could contact me (details below) so that I can keep you informed of chart developments and other changes to the programme.

Observations reports, monthly, would also be welcomed (in TA format (preferred) or BAA format).

Chris Jones

Longacres,
Lower Stock Road,
West Hanningfield,
Essex CM2 8UY
Tel: (01277) 829962                Mob: (07860) 234969
Email cpj@cix.co.uk