Re: [TASS] publication of variable stars

[mgutzwiller@LANVISION.COM]

Since Glenn has already published some of the variables he has found in the
IBVS and Arne recommends using the IBVS, I'll create an article for the
variables I have found that I am confident of.

As for an annual AJ or ApJSS article we could do that too.

In any event I want to create one or more tables in the database that list
all the TASS variables found and any info we have about them.  I have done
something similar at home for the variables I have found so I don't lose
track of them.  These tables could list not only the obvious characteristics
(tass id, ra, dec, range, period, type, etc.) but also publication data such
as IBVS #, discoverer, publish date, etc. that would allow us to keep better
track of what we've found, etc.  We could also have tables that link known
variables to tass id's, etc. for use in characterizing other peoples
discoveries.

I will take it upon myself to design and publish for comment a series of
tables for addition to the TASS database.  I know I could add my own tables
but I'd like to have some consensus from both the users and designers
present and add the tables to the official TASS database.


Mike G.


                -----Original Message-----
                From:   Arne A. Henden [mailto:aah@NOFS.NAVY.MIL]
                Sent:   Tuesday, September 07, 1999 11:13 AM
                To:     TASS@LISTSERV.WWA.COM
                Subject:        Re: publication of variable stars

                Michael asked,
                >  So -- can anyone suggest a good mechanism for reporting
                >variable-star discoveries, one which allows others to
access them
                >quickly and easily, even years later?
                  The IBVS is the best route.  Simbad and the Moscow GCVS
folks
                both add anything that appears there to their lists,
especially
                if you give cross-references and coordinates.  Moscow
publishes
                'Namelists' of new variable stars every 6 months to a year,
also
                in IBVS.  The 'years later' problem is why I recommend IBVS.
Other
                faster methods include the VSNET (Variable Star NETwork) and
                the AAVSO, both of which have maillists, but no guarantee of
                longevity nor that Simbad will ever pick up the new
variables.
                  The other big advantage to IBVS is that it is free.  A
better
                method in my mind would be to do an annual AJ or ApJSS
listing
                of the variables discovered by TASS.  This would place all
                discoveries in one spot, and can be an annual affair since
there
                should be 3600+ variables in the 360,000 star tenxcat.
Note,
                however, that both of these journals have page charges.  Our
                1600 FASTT variables cost us ~US$1.00 per star.
                Arne