Discrete Fourier Analysis of the Light Curve of S Persei

Volume 32 number 1 (2004)

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K. A. Chipps

R. E. Stencel

University

J. A. Mattei

AAVSO,

Abstract

A discrete Fourier analysis was performed on the validated S Persei visual light curve data as obtained from the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). These observations span just over a century, from February of 1903 to July of 2003. This analysis was an attempt to find the fundamental periods of the variability of the red supergiant S Persei. Inspection of the S Per light curve indicates a likely complex combination of sinusoids of differing periods. Using Fourier analysis, four periods of various relative strengths were extracted from these data: 745, 797, 952, and 2857 days. Although some of these periods are similar to earlier results, they seem to indicate a more complex result than has previously been determined.