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VSP

Variable Star Plotter

The Variable Star Plotter (VSP) is a tool for generating finder charts for variable stars. You can plot a chart by entering the star's name or coordinates, and you can customize the chart's field of view, limiting magnitude, orientation, and other options. To report an error with a chart, please use the Chart Error Tool.

VSP Help Guide
Request a Sequence
Report chart errors
Standard field charts

Plot a Quick Chart

What is the Name, Designation or AUID of the object? Required if no coordinates are provided below

Right Ascension Allowed Formats: HH:MM:SS, HH MM SS, DDD.XXXX. Required if no name is given above

Declination Allowed Formats: ±DD:MM:SS, ±DD MM SS, ±DD.XXXX. Required if no name is given above

Choose a Predefined Chart Scale A is larger, slower; G is smaller, faster

Choose a Chart Orientation

VisualReversedCCD

Plot a finder chart or a table of field photometry? *

ChartPhotometry

Chart ID A Chart ID will allow you to reproduce prior charts. Overrides all other fields in this form.

Advanced Options

Field of View In Arcminutes. Must be between 0' and 1200'

Magnitude Limit Stars fainter than this magnitude will not be displayed

Resolution Resolution in dpi to render the chart (default 150)

What will the title for this chart be? Displayed at the top-center of the chart

What comments should be displayed on this chart? Displayed beneath the chart star field

What North-South Orientation Would You Like? *

North UpNorth Down

What East-West Orientation Would You Like? *

East LeftEast Right

Would You Like to Display a DSS Chart?

YesNo

If yes, retrieves image from the Digital Sky Survey

Should Other Variable Stars Should Be Marked?

NoYes (all in VSX)Yes (in the AID)

The AID is the database of stars for which AAVSO submissions can be made

Would You Like All Magnitude Labels To Have Lines?

YesNo

If Yes, this will force lines to be drawn from all magnitude labels to the stars

Would you like a special chart?

NoneBinocularStandard Field

Binocular: Only labels comparison stars useful for binocular viewing
Standard Field: Only labels photometric "standard stars" in the chart's field of view

Select which filters to display (Photometry Only)

UBRcIcJHKPZSGSUSRSIY

V and (B-V) magnitudes are always displayed. Select any other bands you wish displayed below