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VStar

What is VStar?

VStar is a multi-platform, easy-to-use variable star data visualization and analysis tool that was originally developed as part of the AAVSO's Citizen Sky project. Data for a star can be read from the AAVSO database or from a text file of your own creation. It will plot the data on a light curve and then it's up to you what happens next!

Launching VStar

Please note that in order to run VStar, you need to have the Java Runtime Environment 1.8 or higher installed.  VStar should run on any operating system that supports Java.

New Release 2.24.0 is now Live

    VStar Packages for Download: 

    The packages above as well as the source code are available from GitHub: https://github.com/AAVSO/VStar/releases/latest/. For installation instructions go here: https://github.com/AAVSO/VStar/wiki/Installation-Recipes.

     

    VStarUserManual

    Change Log

    If you have any trouble downloading or running VStar on your computer, please contact AAVSO HQ (aavso @ aavso.org) for help. It will save time if you can provide as much information as possible on your operating system and version of Java you are using along with details of exactly what you see and any error messages you get.

    Using VStar

    The easiest way to obtain data to plot is by requesting it directly from the AAVSO International Database. To do this, click the “New Star from AAVSO Database…” button in the upper left corner of the VStar screen, then choose a star from the 10-star drop-down list or type in the name of another star from the AAVSO database. You can change the date range of the plot, use the default range (the last two years worth of data), or select “All data” by clicking the checkbox and hitting “OK”. Other features include the ability to create your own list of favorite stars to view using the "Star Groups" tab under "Preferences" or to filter the data so you can highlight your own observations.

    What Next?

    If you haven't yet downloaded and read the VStarUserManual, do so now! This Manual walks you through all of VStar's features and it is recommended that you follow along with VStar itself as you read.

    There is also an excellent 5-minute introductory video (95 MB) created by VStar CHOICE course graduate George Sjoberg available for download.

    Another interesting exercise is the 5-Star Data Analysis Tutorial (revised in June 2014 by Paul York). This document will introduce you to VStar by walking you through some of the concepts of basic data analysis. We recommend it as the first place to stop for those new to light curves and variable star data analysis. More help links can be found below.

    VStar also supports a large number of plug-ins which perform a range of functions from allowing the loading of external data sets to complex filtering to data analysis. All are easily loaded using the "Plug-in Manager". A list of available plug-ins with descriptions and documentation on how to use them is available on the VStar Plug-in Library webpage.

    Some of the things you can do with VStar include:

    Mean Curve

    • plot mean curve with or without error bars
    • change bin size
    • display graphically or in tabular form
    • save or print results

    Phase Plot

    • gets default period and epoch from VSX or set your own
    • choose band to phase
    • get means of plot
    • display graphically or in tabular form
    • save or print results

     

     

    Period Analysis

    • use Date Compensated Discrete Fourier Transform (DC DFT)
    • run CLEANest period analysis refinement algorithm
    • perform Weighted Wavelet Z-Transform (WWZ) for time-frequency analysis
    • create new phase plots based on selections
    • change parameters used
    • view results several different ways

    Polynomial Fit

    • select series to fit
    • select degree of polynomial
    • show residuals if desired

    Plug-ins

    • create your own or choose one from the VStar Plug-in Library
    • some examples include plug-ins to:
      • import Kepler or SuperWASP FITS files
      • compute calendar date from JD
      • filter observations per your specifications

    Help!

    If you still have questions after reading the VStar User Manual, here are some additional resources you might find useful:

    Other Information

     

    The Citizen Sky Project was sponsored by the AAVSO & NSF award DRL-0840188

    Tags
    vstar
    analyze data
    analysis