Observations

This variable is a long period, "Mira" variable. Ideally I would observe it once every one or two weeks. Thus I should be able to follow this object despite the weather by working around periods of poor viewing. However, this variable has a range that exceeds what I can see in my telescope so I will loose track of it when it goes through its minimum. Also I can't track it effectively in binoculars (except, perhaps, when it is near maximum).

Note that I attempt to record datetime information to the nearest five or ten minutes or so. Although such precision is unnecessary for such a long period variable, the accurate time information will make it easier for you to corrolate these observations with my sky conditions observations (stored separately).

2003-06-16T03:10:00Z ± T15M

NOTES

This was my first "real" observation of a variable star. I enjoyed making it so hopefully it won't be my last. I used the AAVSO's b-scale chart (downloaded from www.aavso.org). It took me a little time to find the precise location of the variable but I didn't have any particular problems with it. I found it easiest to work from Eta Her. The star's brightness appeared between the 11.3 and 10.7 magnitude comparison stars. It was a bit closer to the 10.7. I am recording my magnitude estimate as 10.9. Note that I needed to use averted vision to clearly see the variable and its comparison stars. At the time that I made the observation there was some moonlight moving into the area.

2003-06-29T03:30:00Z ± T15M

NOTES

I found estimating this variable to be quite tricky (due, no doubt to my inexperience with variable stars). I needed to use averted vision to see the variable well and to see the comparison stars. However, because the degree of averted vision can greatly impact the apparent brightness of a star I needed to be sure to view each star using the same amount of averted vision. I found this difficult. At times, for example, the 11.3 comparison star seemed brighter to me than the 10.7 comparison star. Under such conditions estimating a brightness to 0.1 magnitudes seemed hopeless. I can see that doing this well will require practice!

In any case W appeared similar to the 10.1 comparison star tonight (perhaps a bit fainter). It was definitely not as bright as the 9.5 comparison star. I am recording my magnitude estimate as 10.2 but I feel that it could be substaintially off---perhaps more than 0.5 magnitudes either way.

2003-07-10T03:35:00Z ± T05M

NOTES

The variable was definitely brighter than the magnitude 9.5 comparison star, although not a lot brighter. It was not nearly as bright as the magnitude 8.4 or 8.5 comparison stars. I am recording my estimate as 9.3.

Note that there was a considerable amount of moonlight in the region this evening.