VSOP: Fixing the variable sky with one-shot typing of neglected variables
Abstract
Stellar variability types are assigned on the basis of lightcurve appearance, which often remains unchallenged without further observational evidence. VSOP (Variable Star One-shot Project) is a large international collaboration, which has so far obtained spectra of more than 500 stars during the past year. Operationally this program is a completely new concept, perfectly suited for a modern, efficient observatory, providing Gemini with a large pool of filler observations, and we ask specifically to be placed in Band 3. Scientifically, our aims are: (1) obtain first spectroscopy of all unstudied variable stars in both hemispheres, (2) provide data products to the public in a fast and automatic way, (3) generate an influx of serendipitous discoveries across all fields of astrophysics.
- Publication:
-
NOAO Proposal
- Pub Date:
- February 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008noao.prop..151D