Program: GN-2008A-Q-94

Title:VSOP: Fixing the variable sky with one-shot typing of neglected variables
PI:Thomas Dall
Co-I(s): Kathleen Labrie, Atsuko Nitta, Tim Beers, Carlos Allende Prieto, Lars Koesterke, Hans Bruntt, Laszlo Kiss, Torben Arentoft, Pedro Amado, Maarten Baes, Eric Depagne, Matilde Fernandez, Cedric Foellmi, Valentin Ivanov, Gaspare Lo Curto, Lorenzo Monaco, Kieran O'Brien, John Pritchard, Luis Manuel Sarro, Ivo Saviane, Julia Scharwaechter, Linda Schmidtobreick, Oliver Schuetz, Andreas Seifahrt, Fernando Selman, Mauro Stefanon, Michael Sterzik

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.

Publications using this program's data