Using a Small Telescope to Detect Variable Stars in Globular Cluster NGC 6779
Volume 34 number 1 (2006)
- Jerry D. Horne
- 3055
Abstract
The nominal feasibility of utilizing small instruments, in near-urban environments, to detect variable stars in globular clusters is demonstrated through the use of modern CCD cameras and commercially available image processing software. A 0.25-meter telescope and a camera with a 550 ´ 752 CCD array were used to detect and perform photometry of six of the twelve known variable stars in NGC 6779 (M56). Two commercial image processing and photometric analysis software packages were utilized, and multiple variable detection techniques were examined. The periods of five variables were derived and color magnitude diagrams for the entire cluster were developed.