Tetoora Road Observatory

 Welcome to my

Variable Star Pages

22″ Telescope “Infinity”

The science of Astronomy is unique. A great deal of astronomical research depends on the work of highly skilled amateur astronomers that provide a pivotal role in the constant monitoring of variable stars.

I observe and monitor variable stars particularly the cataclysmic (explosive ) variable stars (CVs) for outbursts. Recorded observations are then sent to various variable star organizations which include, the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), the research section of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand, Variable Stars South (VSS) and the Variable Star Network (VSNET) a global professional-amateur network of researches in variable stars. 

These pages tell my story, show a selection of light curves, links to articles, dramatic events, transient objects and cataclysmic variables (CVs).

300,000 Visual Variable Star Observations!

Article on my 300,000th visual variable star observation achieved on October 6, 2018, covering my observing career published by The British Astronomical Association Variable Star Section.

The current observations page will show my latest observations, outbursts detections, and activity on variable stars.

My visual light curve on the eclipsing symbiotic star AR Pav between epoch 73 and 79. AR Pav has a  period of 604.5 days

Tetoora Road Observatory

Photography by William PJ Kulich

22″ f/3.8 Dobsonian Telescope “Infinity”

RECENT OUTBURSTS

September 16,  2020

AQRQU 200916.560 158 Stu.RASNZ outburst
ARABF 200916.523 141 Stu.RASNZ superoutburst
CHAZ 200916.519 141 Stu.RASNZ outburst
CHARX 200916.477 153 Stu.RASNZ outburst
DELHO 200916.490 134 Stu.RASNZ outburst
PAVAS 200916.542 152 Stu.RASNZ outburst
PEGHX 200916.556 132 Stu.RASNZ outburst
PSATY 200916.480 112 Stu.RASNZ superoutburst
SERUZ 200916.536 132 Stu.RASNZ outburst

Recent publications

Betelgeuse Eclipses 2020 (Alpha Orionis)

Honoured to be a co-author on a paper “The dusty eclipses of Betelgeuse” submitted in July 2020. Betelgeuse has dimmed again which is caused by two dust clouds. These findings will be presented at the 106th National Congress of the Italian Physical Society held online from 14 to 18 September. The latest Astronomer’s Telegram 31, Aug 2020 can be found here. astronomerstelegram.org/?read=13982

CS Ind

One of the co-authors on a paper published by Astronomical Society of Japan on CS Indi: SU UMa-Type Dwarf Nova with LongPrecursor Outburst. September 2019. The unusual long precursor before the superoutburst is the first time such an event has been recorded in SU UMa-type stars. My visual light curve of this event.

ASAS-SN light curve of CS Ind.

AR Pav

One of the co-authors on a paper published by the Astronomical Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences on “Photometry of Symbiotic Stars – XIV.” Submitted April 2019. Over 8 years of my visual data on the symbiotic stars AR Pav and AE Ara were included in the paper.

The XMM-Newton space observatory will be observing the dwarf nova GW Librae on Aug.31 / Sept.1, 2017. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) needs constant updates on the current state of GW Lib to make sure it is at a minimum. My latest observation sent at magnitude 16.5 shows it is around minimum.

GW Lib was discovered in 1983 as a 9th magnitude object. On April 12, 2007, I noticed GW Lib was rising to outburst, the first recorded outburst in 24 years since the discovery! GW Lib has had no further outbursts. My visual light curve of the 2007 outburst which lasted over 70 days. More here.

Observation of a Deep Visual “Eclipse” in the WC9-Type Wolf-Rayet Star, WR 76

My paper was published with Peredur Williams, Institute for Astronomy, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh on ” Observation of a Deep Visual “Eclipse” in the WC9-Type Wolf-Rayet Star, WR 76 ” One of the deepest found so far in these types of stars. A real challenge visually as the eclipse is well below 17.0 magnitude.

UY Puppis – A New Anomalous Z Cam Type Dwarf Nova

My paper was published October 2016 with Mike Simonsen on UY Puppis – A New Anomalous Z Cam Type Dwarf Nova. UY Pup is now one of only four known anomalous Z Cam stars!

Wolf-Rayet Star, WR 53

My paper published on the discovery of the first-ever recorded eclipse in the Wolf-Rayet star WR 53. After 5 years of constant monitoring, we now have a new variable star!

OQ Carinae: A New Southern Z Cam Type Dwarf Nova

My paper published on the first-ever standstill of OQ Carinae after 14 years of study.

Discovery story on OQ Carinae!

OQ Carinae: Rod Stubbings – Patience, Persistence, and Purpose

100th year Anniversary of the AAVSO Top Visual Observers 2009-2010

Eye on the sky 

Amateur astronomers are making a unique contribution to science’s understanding of the universe, reports Marilyn Moore

Eta Carina Nebula – Chris Morley

iPhone Moon Snaps