Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Wed, 05/06/2015 - 10:00
Prompt, whether it is possible to watch knowing the code to find out who it is? I hope it's not secret information :)
Nikolay
If you are a member and that observer has actually observed in the last AAVSO fiscal year or previous years, you can see the names and codes in the observer totals section of the annual report.
If you know a star that the observer has observed, plot the lightcurve with the option to show observers. That will also give you the name and observer code.
...Tim (HTY)
Hi: This may not be the place for this? Anyhow,I found a reference to David Fabricius. 1564-1617 Dutch Clergyman. The first variable star observed. March 1963 S&T Page 133. Is this recorded anywhere at HQ Best HNL
According to LCG, Fabricius' first observation of Mira was on 23 Aug 1596. However the AAVSO database lists an observation of Eta Car by Peter Keyser on 1 Jan 1596. It would be interesting to know if that first one was actually made on 1 Jan, or if it was some time in 1596 and the database defaulted to 1 Jan.
Stephen Hovell [HSP]
Pukemaru Observatory, New Zealand
[quote=pukemaru]
According to LCG, Fabricius' first observation of Mira was on 23 Aug 1596. However the AAVSO database lists an observation of Eta Car by Peter Keyser on 1 Jan 1596.
[/quote]
It wasn't until Pogson in the mid-19th century that the modern magnitude system was defined. How can these old estimates be related to the modern ones in any accurate fashion?
Mike
[quote=lmk]
It wasn't until Pogson in the mid-19th century that the modern magnitude system was defined. How can these old estimates be related to the modern ones in any accurate fashion?
[/quote]
The Instrument was the same we have nowadays ;-) When it is possible to reduce brightness estimates (using observer's notes etc) later, such observations _may_ provide extremely valuable information. Eta Carinae and P Cygni are definitely such examples. From that late 16th century data point we know what was approximate brightness of eta Car before it's giant eruption. And uncertainty of +-0.5 mag is OK for that.
Best wishes,
Tõnis
Hi: Thanks for the information: Too bad the article doesn't have the Date. Interesting to find others in the same year. Just wondering. HNL
Most of the pre-1900 Mira data comes from a book by Paul Guthnick published in 1900. He researched many famous past astronomers who observed Mira and noted its brightness relative to specific comparison stars. Guthnick created a "light grade or step" scale to standardize the comparison stars and Mira observations between all of the different observers. His "step or light grade" scale was then regressed with the AAVSO sequence from 1902AnHar_37, p.. 154 (which yielded a R^2 greater than 0.99) for the final recorded Mira visual magnitudes expressed to the nearest 0.1. This hopefully will explain the methodology for archival Mira observations and how magnitude estimates were generated prior to modern sequences or Pogson's magnitude relationship. Kevin Paxson - PKV
In the light curves, it is possible to see the codes of observers.
How to get the names?
See the attached screenshots: