Discovery and Characterization of Three Variable Stars Using ZTF and Personal Observations

Volume 53 number 1 (2025)

Download this article (pdf)

Javier De Elías

Coordinator, Photometry and Spectroscopy Groups, Agrupación Astronómica de Madrid, Madrid-Spain; javierdeelias@gmail.com

Abstract

This paper presents the discovery and characterization of three new variable stars: USNO-A2.0 1050-03863001, USNO-A2.0 1125-01620998, and USNO-A2.0 0825-03962820. The first two are β Persei-type eclipsing binaries (EA), while the third is a δ Scuti (DSCT) pulsating variable. These discoveries resulted from an analysis of thousands of images initially obtained for asteroid rotation photometry between September 2023 and February 2024 at the AstroCamp Observatory in Nerpio, Albacete, Spain. The integration of personal observations with data from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) was critical to this work, providing an extended temporal baseline and a higher density of data points. This combination enabled more precise period determinations and the construction of complete light curves, leading to a robust classification of the variable stars. The three variables have been cataloged in the International Variable Star Index (VSX).