Tetoora Road Observatory

 Welcome to

The Study of Variable Stars

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 organisations 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 and show a selection of light curves, links to articles, dramatic events, transient objects and cataclysmic variables (CVs).  The current observations page will show my latest observations, outbursts detections, and activity on variable stars. 

Tetoora Road Observatory

Tetoora Road Observatory (D03-35) is a registered Australian Observatory for optical research on variable stars.

 

AAVSO Merit Award 2021

Very honoured to have been awarded the AAVSO Merit Award at the 110th Anniversary meeting of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

52. 2021 – Rod Stubbings

“in recognition of the phenomenal visual observing program, he has conducted, providing researchers with many time-critical observations and alerts, and contributing 316,292 visual observations to the AAVSO International Database from 1997 through October 4, 2021. His work has also been recognized with the AAVSO Director’s Award in 2002 for his “very significant contributions to variable star astronomy, particularly to special observing programs” and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s Amateur Achievement Award in 2014.”

300,000 Visual Variable Star Observations!

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

The Eclipsing Symbiotic Star AR Pav

My visual light curve of the eclipsing symbiotic star AR Pav from epoch 73. AP Pav has a period of 604.5 days. Updated to January 2022.

Current outburst detection:  June 21, 2022

object YYMMDD(UT) mag code remarks
APSV394 220621.492 148 Stu.RASNZ outburst
ARABF 220621.396 141 Stu.RASNZ outburst
CENV342 220621.458 148 Stu.RASNZ outburst
CENV436 220621.453 123 Stu.RASNZ outburst
CENV803 220621.521 139 Stu.RASNZ outburst
CMAHL 220621.342 116 Stu.RASNZ outburst
CRABP 220621.466 145 Stu.RASNZ outburst
HYAAG 220621.420 155 Stu.RASNZ outburst
LEOX 220621.357 146 Stu.RASNZ outburst
NORHP 220621.398 134 Stu.RASNZ outburst
PAVGS 220621.431 154 Stu.RASNZ outburst
PUPBX 220621.347 150 Stu.RASNZ outburst
SCOV598 220621.408 148 Stu.RASNZ outburst
SERUZ 220621.481 139 Stu.RASNZ outburst
SGRV551 220621.436 152 Stu.RASNZ outburst
SGRV730 220621.465 146 Stu.RASNZ outburst
TUCVW 220621.523 163 Stu.RASNZ outburst
VIRTW 220621.452 140 Stu.RASNZ outburst
VOLSY 220621.393 155 Stu.RASNZ outburst
CTCVJ1940-4724 220621.467 148 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 of a paper published by the 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 of 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 the 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 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 in 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 was 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 was 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

 

Moon Snaps with iPhone

Tetoora Road observatory photos