Observing variable stars - stars that change brightness, either in a regular way or unpredictably - is one of the major contributions amateur astronomers make to science. There are 36,000 variable stars listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars, so it is clearly impossible for the limited number of professional observatories to target even the majority of them. That's where the amateur astronomers come in - thousands of them turning their telescopes to the sky every night. Variable star observing is the popular 'real science' activity for by amateur observers, and this book provides all the detail needed for newcomers and experienced astronomers alike.

A complete book on observing variable stars, suitable for amateur astronomers of all levels of experience and ability Part One provides highly detailed descriptions of all types of variable star - nomenclature, physical details, and illustrations Part Two covers practical observing techniques, everything from planning, through observing techniques, to data management and reduction All sections of the book are dealt with in a non-mathematical way

Inhalt
1 Observing Variable Stars.- 2 The Variable Stars.- 3 Eruptive Variable Stars.- 4 Pulsating Variable Stars.- 5 Cataclysmic (Explosive and Novalike) Variables.- 6 Rotating Variable Stars.- 7 Close Binary Eclipsing Systems.- 8 Optically Variable Close Binary Sources of Strong, Variable X-Ray (X-Ray Sources) Radiation.- 9 A General Approach to Observing Variable Stars.- 10 VSO Planning.- 11 VSO Preparations.- 12 VSO Methods.- 13 Variable Star Data Management, Reduction and Analysis.- 14 Variable Star Reporting and Recording Organizations.- 15 Variable Star Observing and Amateur Astronomers.- Appendix A Database Management.- Appendix B Time Series Analysis Using TS11.- Appendix C Analysis Using Spreadsheets.