Southern RR Lyrae period analysis

Seven RR Lyrae variable stars were imaged over 4 nights spanning 12 June to 19 June. Targets were chosen with ‘all night’ viewing potential, to maximise data collection over a single night.

BHPav

Aperture photometry was performed using MaxIM DL’s Photometry function to derive instrumental magnitudes for each target. The resultant light curves were exported as CSV files for analysis in Microsoft Excel.

Excel was used to create light curves for each of the targets. Custom formulae were used to ‘wrap’ time and provide for magnitude compensation. An additional formula was created to align curves by specifying a period based on a starting point determined through inspection of the plotted curves. Changes as small as 0.001 hr were used to fine tune alignment of the 4 curves, allowing a very accurate period to be determined.

This ‘calculated’ period was then compared to published periods, available from the AAVSO VSI service.

Results

1. BH Pav

Calculated period = 11.447 hours

Published period = 11.44689 hours

BHPav

 


2. HX Ara

Calculated period = 5.265 hours

Published period = 5.256 hours

HXAra

 


 3. MS Ara

Calculated period = 12.600

Published period = 12.59961

MSAra

 


 4. V0690 Sco

Calculated Period = 11.814 hours

Published Period = 11.81409 hours

V0690Sco

 


5. WY Pav

Calculated Period = 14.130 hours

Published Period = 14.12573 hours

WYPav

 


6. V0487 Sco

Calculated Period = 7.900 hours

Published Period = 7.899037 hours

V0487Sco

 


7. V0494 Sco

Calculated Period = 10.250 hours

Published Period = 10.2552 hours

VO494Sco

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