1. 7. 2019: AKCE	New action: Universe of Binaries, Binaries in the Universe > Více informací...
25. 6. 2019: AKCE	New action: 4th European Variable Star meeting (EVS 2019) > Více informací...
19. 4. 2019: TRESCA	Exoplanet observer, Alberto Caballero, offer us the involving to his project called 'The Habitable Exoplanet Hunting Project' to enable amateurs to discover more potentially habitable exoplanets, specifically around non-flare G-like stars, K-type stars and red dwarfs, within 100 ly. The stars selected would have known transiting exoplanets outside the habitable zone or non-rocky exoplanets inside. Alberto chose 9 stars and his idea is to create a group of amateur exoplanet hunters belonging to organizations such as our the TRESCA community. Overall, the monitoring of a specific star or stars at a specific time every week would be assigned to each of the astronomers or observatories, covering the target or targets 24/7. For more information, you can see attached file. Contact to author: caballerodiez91@gmail.com The Habilitable Exoplanet Hunting Project (Alberto Caballero)
21. 12. 2018: DOWNLOAD	A new version of Python 3 program 'Predpovedi' is now available HERE. The program compute observability and minima predictions for user defined objects, observatory and horizont. If user is interested in predictions for one night, a nice graphic output is also displayed, which strongly helps with plannig of observation. Minima predictions and observability for given object can be also computed for given time period, which allows to plan observations in advance. A lot of useful information like Moon phase, distance from the Moon, orbital phase of the object, start and end of the observation with repect to local horizon and time of meridian flip is displayed in output table, so that the only thing which observer has to care about is current weather. The program can be easily installed and run on Windows or Linux OS (running on MAC should be also without problems, but it hasn't been tested) and one can find installation instructions under the link above. The author of the program (Jakub Jurysek, jakubjurysek@astronomie.cz) strongly encourage anyone who would need some help with installation or running the program, to contact him by email.
4. 12. 2018: WWW	Survey of historical astronomy data The astronomical community has accumulated a significant amount of historical records of observations of the Sun, stars and other astronomical objects. Those records contain irreplaceable information about long-term evolutionary and non-evolutionary changes in our Universe, and clearly need to be preserved so that researchers can access and exploit them. As a first step in that process, we are creating an inventory of historical data which members of the astronomical community consider to be worthy of preservation. Most such records are analogue ones (plates, film, paper, books) but can include primitive magnetic tapes (e.g., those lacking recognizable formatting) or other early digital data. We solicit input from the community as to which data exist that you feel merit consideration for preservation, the current state of those data (e.g., digitized or not) or of any associated metadata, and their current location. You can provide your input via: this web form For more information, contact Alexei Pevtsov (apevtsov@nso.edu).
21. 5. 2018: CLANEK	New article in e-Perseus: How to precise light curve > Více informací...
16. 5. 2017: VARIABLES	Bright supernova in the galaxy NGC 6946 Supernova was discovered by amateur astronomer Patrick Wiggins from Utah on May 14th, when he compared his actual image of ’Fireworks Galaxy’ NGC 6946 with his archive images. The images were obtained by 0.35-m f/5.5 reflector equipped by CCD camera. He estimated its magnitude as 12.8. This supernova was named as 2017eaw and its accurate position is RA: 20h 34m 44.24s, DE +60° 11' 35.9". You can find it in Cygnus. More about the discovery HERE.
24. 4. 2017: B.R.N.O.	Alert on observing campaign focused on star KIC 2835289 (V = 13 mag). In term from 2nd to 3rd June 2017 the eclipses with third component of the unique triple system should occur. These eclipses are known thanks to the Kepler satellite and they occur very rarely, once per 750 days! Help us to confirm them by ground-based observations. We recommend to perform measurements also in the previous and following day. More about the campaign you can find HERE.
20. 4. 2017: SEKCE	Proceedings of the 48th Conference on Variable Stars Research held at Štefánik Observatory in Prague in 11th–13th November 2016 was published. We thank all the authors for their contributions! Our thanks belong also editor-in-chief Radek Kocián for his effort. The Proceedings was released in on-line journal OEJV and you can find it HERE.
3. 4. 2017: B.R.N.O.	The 40th publication of minima timings of eclipsing binaries from B.R.N.O. project has been already published! Our thanks belong to all observers (unbelievable 83 observers were involved here)! Publication contains record number of minima timings (3394) for 1096 objects. We thank all the enthusiastic variable star observers for their contribution to B.R.N.O database. Now let’s wait and watch how the data are used by professional astrophysicists :-) The research was published in on-line OEJV journal and you can find it HERE.
28. 1. 2017: SEKCE	On Friday January 20, 2017 study about flaring activity on low-mass eclipsing binary GJ 3236 was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. It is based mainly on extremely observing effort of observers from our Section (900 hours of photometric observations) and researchers from the Astronomical Institute of the Charles University. The main coordinator of the observing project and also the main author of the paper is the president of our Section Ladislav Šmelcer, which has obtained himself 740 hours of observations. Authors’ thanks belong all the observers and other contributors. We congratulate to this great success! More about the paper in e-Perseus: > Více informací...
31. 12. 2016: SEKCE	We wish successful year 2017 for all friends of variable stars, a lot of great discoveries, and nights without clouds for observers!
2. 12. 2016: B.R.N.O.	New observing campaign: Observation of eruptive binary stars EV Lac, AD Leo and V0711 Tau. The campaign is announced by prof. Petr Heinzel and Ladislav Šmelcer and it is hold from : 7 th to 13 th December 2016. They require photometric observations to simultaneous spectroscopic measurements performed with 2m telescopes in Germany in this term. Selected object EV Lac, AD Leo or V0711 Tau should be monitored with each telescope only with one filter to obtain the best time resolution of expected flare events. The choice of the filter which observer should be used will be specified by L. Šmelcer according to the logged observers and their equipments. If you are interested to join the campaign, please contact Ladislav Šmelcer lsmelcer@seznam.cz, he will coordinate the observations. More specific information you can find in PDF file (written in German): > Více informací...
23. 11. 2016: TRESCA	New observing campaign for TRESCA observers! Long-term photometric monitoring of β Pictoris b. More information in campaign site. > Více informací...
16. 11. 2016: SEKCE	Two significant prices were awarded on the 48th Conference on Variable Star Research. The first one, J. Silhan price "The Observer of the year" is awarded for the excellent observational results and other extra activities in the field of variable stars research each year. This year Martin Mašek won J. Silhan price for his popularization activities and propagation of measuring of variable stars using DSLR. The second price was awarded extraordinary and it was given to Pavel Cagaš for his discovery of the 1000th variable star in the CzeV catalogue. More about the discovery of the CzeV1000 you can find in the press release of the CAS and Astronomical Institute (in Czech).
11. 11. 2016: AKCE	Conference on-line! Today, the 48th Conference on Variable Stars Research is starting and it will be held at the Štefánik Observatory in Prague. Talks (mainly in Czech) will be extraordinarily broadcasted on-line through the Youtube channel, interested people could listen them HERE. Do not miss a fully English Block since 18:30. Virtual questions are also possible. For them, you can use the LiveChat during the On-line broadcasting and it will be moderated by Chairman of the each Block. Due to the limited speed of the internet at the Observatory, the talks will be broadcasted only as slide show with sound. Video’s records will be available since several weeks. We are looking forward to your virtual participation! Program of the Conference you can find HERE.
24. 11. 2014: WWW	!!! Web portal unavailability alert !!! Our technical team will perform system maintenance starting Saturday, Nov 29 to Wednesday, Dec 3. During this maintenance window all our web pages and services (including O-C gateway, ETD, Observing logs etc.) will be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
13. 12. 2012: SEKCE	Proceedings of the 43rd Conference on Variable Stars and exoplanets Research. Early in December, the proceedings from last year's conference was published in OEJV journal. Once again, we want to thank all the authors for their contribution. Proceedings can be downloaded from the link below. > Více informací...
29. 11. 2012: TRESCA	Recently was published transiting exoplanets and added to ETD: WASP-77 Ab > Více informací...
23. 11. 2012: TRESCA	Six recently published transiting exoplanets were added to ETD: WASP-52b, WASP-58b, WASP-59b, WASP-60b, KELT-3b and WASP-71b. > Více informací...
21. 10. 2012: B.R.N.O.	New version of B.R.N.O. upload form Today, a new function was implemented to B.R.N.O. upload form. Observers of eclipsing binaries can now determine time of minimum directly in the upload form. We have implemented new, original fitting alghoritm by Dr. Zdenek Mikulasek and Dr. Ondrej Pejcha. On-line form for uploading B.R.N.O. minima has now a graphical interface, which allows users to select a part of ligth curve with minimum and authomatically determines its midtime. All details about mathematical background and errors determination can be found bellow: Brat L., Pejcha O., Mikulasek Z. (2012): Minima Timing of Eclipsing Binaries
28. 7. 2012: B.R.N.O.	O-C diagrams in EB minima predictions Dynamically loaded previews on O-C diagrams were added to on-line miniam predictions of eclipsing binaries (project B.R.N.O.) > Více informací...
27. 7. 2012: WWW	Zooming light curves in on-line Observer logs In Observer logs, there was implemented new functionality - zooming light curves. The function is available for "Global light curve", showing all available data for the object. > Více informací...
26. 7. 2012: MEDUZA	Zooming light curves in MEDUZA database It has been implemented new, improved zooming to MEDUZA database (observation of intrinsic variable stars). From today, zooming is intuitive and well working in all browsers. The code is rewrited using jQuery and AJAX. Comming soon: zooming light curves in Observer logs > Více informací...
22. 7. 2012: WWW	NEW: dynamical preview of light curves of new posts From now, there is a new function added to var.astro.cz. Newly posted observation of eclipsing binaries or transiting exoplanets are displayed with preview on light curve directly in title web page. Try it - just point your mouse cursor to link to the right:
18. 7. 2012: WWW	Upgrade of 'Observer logs' application We have fixed several bugs and built some improvements to Observer logs. 1) In editing mode (editing previously uploaded data) there was added a possibility to change data file or finding chart. Till today, there was possibility to change only form data. 2) List of objects at top of each Observer's log was rebuilt to be dynamically hide or displayed via click to specified constellation name. > Více informací...
12. 3. 2012: TRESCA	New observing campaign: HAT-P-36b > Více informací...
8. 2. 2012: TRESCA	New observing campaign: Qatar-2b > Více informací...
19. 1. 2012: TRESCA	6 recently published transiting exoplanets were added to ETD: Kepler-21 b, HAT-P-34 b, HAT-P-35 b, HAT-P-36 b, HAT-P-37 b and CoRoT-19 b. > Více informací...
28. 10. 2011: TRESCA	Qatar-2 b (Vir) transiting exoplanet was published by Marta L. Bryan et al., 2011. This object exhibits the deepest transits (3.5%) among all known transiting exoplanets. Second - outer planet "c" is producing editional RV variations. Qatar-2: A K dwarf orbited by a transiting hot Jupiter and a more massive companion in an outer orbit > Více informací...
28. 10. 2011: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet WASP-36 b (Hya) were recently announced by A. M. S. Smith et al. (2011): WASP-36b: A new transiting planet around a metal-poor G-dwarf, and an analysis of correlated noise in transit light curves > Více informací...
28. 10. 2011: TRESCA	Two new confirmed exoplanets - KOI 0135b (Lyr) and KOI 0204 (Cyg) by A. S. Bonomo et al., 2011: SOPHIE velocimetry of Kepler transit candidates. V. The three hot Jupiters KOI-135b, KOI-204b and KOI-203b (alias Kepler-17b) > Více informací...
25. 9. 2011: TRESCA	Focusing TTV diagrams in ETD. TTV plots in Exoplanet Transit Database were updated today. Simultaneously observed transits are now plotted in TTV figure as averaged values (red squares). The original points are colored grey. This leaded to significant focusing of TTV curve for many objects. Size of the square depends on size (quality) of points. See ETD. It is applied the weighted averaging (according to Data Quality index of individual data sets) > Více informací...
22. 9. 2011: B.R.N.O.	User-defined eclipsing binaries We've added a new feature on var.astro.cz. Each logged user has the possibility to insert an user object into the database of eclipsing binaries. Then, the minima predictions with their visibility is calculated for these user objects. In order to calculate the visibility of minimas the coordinates of your observatory are read from your personal settings. Predictions are inserted into common predictions on a night. In addition, a detailed website about the object is created, including all the inserted data, a identification map and listing of minima for the coming half year. In this list, the observable minimas are highlighted. Each logged user has possibilty edit his inserted objects and of course to delete an object from database (eg when an object gets into the standard predictions). This function is used primarily as a support for the observations of the newly discovered eclipsing binaries. User-defined objects
16. 9. 2011: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet CoRoT-20 b (Mon) was added to ETD For more information see M. Deleuil et al. (2011), XX. CoRoT-20b: A very high density, high eccentricity transiting giant planet
16. 9. 2011: TRESCA	New transiting circumbinary exoplanet Kepler-16(AB) b was added to ETD Kepler-16A b means transits of planet "b" on primary component of the binary with depth 0.019 mag and duration ~ 7 hours. Kepler-16B b means transits of planet "b" on secondary binary component with depth only 0.001 mag and duration 1.5 hours. The system also exhibits minimas of eclipsing binary with period 41 days. ATTENTION! Transit predictions in ETD for this system are now wrong. We will improve predictions soon. For more details about this great system, see a discovery paper by L. Doyle et al., (2011): Kepler-16: A Transiting Circumbinary Planet
13. 9. 2011: TRESCA	New transiting super-Earth HD 97658b. A bright star (V = 7.7 mag) in Leo constellation was discovered to have a planet using RV technique. Recently Gregory W. Henry et al. (2011) have discovered a very shallow transits (depth 0.002 mag). For more details see: Detection of a Transiting Low-Density Super-Earth > Více informací...
9. 9. 2011: TRESCA	KOI-0084 was renamed to Kepler-19 b (Lyr). An extrasolar planet with perturbing "c" planet in the system shows +/- 5 minutes TTV as is described in discovery / confirmation paper by Sarah Ballard et al. (2011), The Kepler-19 System: A Transiting 2.2 R_Earth Planet and a Second Planet Detected via Transit Timing Variations
9. 9. 2011: TRESCA	KOI-0020 was renamed to Kepler-12 b (Dra) according to discovery / confirmation paper by J. J. Fortney et al., (2011) Discovery and Atmospheric Characterization of Giant Planet Kepler-12b: An Inflated Radius Outlier
16. 8. 2011: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet WASP-50 b (Eri) was added to ETD M. Gillon et al. (2011) reported a discovery of another transiting exoplanet found by WASP survey: WASP-50b: a hot Jupiter transiting a moderately active solar-type star
15. 8. 2011: WWW	Improved phasing of light curves in observers logs 1) Based on requests by observers we have made improvements of phase curves in the observers logs. Newly, the curves are now distinguished by different symbols for each observation night. 2) At the bottom of the chart, the gray vertical line is displayed, which shows the current phase of the system. This option is especially appreciated by observers, who want to cover the entire phase curve. In the evening before observation you can see on the phase curve which part of phase currently occurs.
10. 8. 2011: TRESCA	New observing campaign: Search for HD 156846b transit > Více informací...
8. 8. 2011: B.R.N.O.	Minima predictions of eclipsing binaries have been expanded with information on the minimum duration After many requests to extend the online prediction for an indication of minimum duration we have put this information into a table with predictions. These data is read from the GCVS catalogue (box Mm / D), which was today also updated in the database on var.astro.cz. Now, for almost all stars of Algol type (EA) in the table, the minimum duration is included (in hours). For binary stars with a continuous change of brightness is given their type (EW or EB).
8. 8. 2011: B.R.N.O.	The depth of secondary minima of eclipsing binaries In collaboration with Anton Paschke (administrator of O-C gate), we inserted a correct information about the depth of secondary minima into database of eclipsing binaries. In the list of eclipsing binaries,in the on-line predictions and in the actual O-C gate, these data are now displayed correctly.
3. 8. 2011: TRESCA	Kepler candidate KOI-0196 b has been confirmed by A. Santerne at al. (2011), SOPHIE velocimetry of Kepler transit candidates IV. KOI-196b: a non-inflated hot-Jupiter with a high albedo. Object was added to ETD. One pre-confirmation observation by T. Scarmato fits well the final system parameters.
30. 7. 2011: TRESCA	Kepler candidate KOI 203 b was renamed to Kepler-17 b (Cyg) according to discovery paper by J.M. Désert et al, 2011: The hot-Jupiter Kepler-17b: discovery, obliquity from stroboscopic starspots, and atmospheric characterization. Interesting study including star-spot crossing analysis. Two transits of this object (KOI 0203) were previously reported by Veli-Pekka Hentunen to TRESCA database, now renamed to Kepler-17 b as well. Both transit observations are in very good agreement with published parameters. Congratulation!
14. 7. 2011: SEKCE	In early June a proceedings of the 42nd Conference on Variable Stars Research was published in OEJV. The proceedings was compiled on the basis of the contributions that were presented at the conference. You can donwload it here
14. 7. 2011: TRESCA	Kepler candidate KOI 128 b was renamed to Kepler-15 b (Cyg) according to discovery paper by Michael Endl et al, 2011: The First Kepler Mission Planet Confirmed With The Hobby-Eberly Telescope: Kepler-15b, a Hot Jupiter Enriched In Heavy Elements
13. 7. 2011: WWW	Software Muniwin newly supports DSLR format! Ing. David Motl, an author of famous software Muniwin (so called C-Munipack) has issued a new version 1.2.17. This new version has implemented function for direct photometry processing from DSLR cameras. Your .RAW or .CR2 files can be now processed without any other conversions! > http://c-munipack.sourceforge.net
10. 7. 2011: TRESCA	Interesting catalogue of parameters of transiting exoplanets by J. Southworth > TEPCat: catalogue of the physical properties of transiting planetary systems
14. 6. 2011: TRESCA	Refined orbital periods for 9 transiting exoplanets in ETD Based on observations stored in ETD, new - accurate orbital periods were found for 8 planets. One typo was corrected as well. CoRoT-8 b : wrong period: 6.21229d, new period: 6.21272d HAT-P-2 b : wrong period: 5.63341d, new period: 5.633495d HAT-P-5 b : wrong period: 2.788491d, new period: 2.788474d HAT-P-8 b: wrong period: 3.07632d, new period: 3.076339d OGLE-TR-182 b: corrected typo in period, correct period: 3.9791 and transit epoch: 2454270.572 WASP-1 b: wrong period: 2.51996d, new period: 2.519945d WASP-14 b: wrong period: 2.243752d, new period: 2.243765d WASP-21 b: wrong period: 4.322482d, new period: 4.322541d XO-4 b: wrong period: 4.12502d, new period: 4.12508d
9. 6. 2011: TRESCA	Three new transiting exoplanets: HAT-P-31 b (Her), HAT-P-32 b (And) & HAT-P-33 b (Gem). For details see discovery papers: > HAT-P-31b,c: A Transiting, Eccentric, Hot Jupiter and a Long-Period, Massive Third-Body, David M. Kipping et al., 2011 > HAT-P-32b and HAT-P-33b: Two Highly Inflated Hot Jupiters Transiting High-Jitter Stars, J. D. Hartman et al., 2011
8. 6. 2011: TRESCA	Taxonomy of the extrasolar planet Very interesting paper by E. Plavalova - definition of "Harvard classification" for exoplanets and solar planets. "Earth = 1E1W0t" > Více informací...
28. 5. 2011: TRESCA	Transiting super-Earth Kepler-10 c was added to ETD For details see discovery paper by F. Fressin et al., 2011, Kepler-10c, a 2.2-Earth radius transiting planet in a multiple system
17. 5. 2011: TRESCA	Three new southern transiting exoplanets WASP-44b (Cet), WASP-45b (Scl) and WASP-46b (Ind) Recent paper by D. R. Anderson et al. WASP-44b, WASP-45b and WASP-46b: three short-period, transiting extrasolar planets describes discovery of this three hot-jupiters by SuperWASP South. All three exoplanets have been already added to ETD.
11. 5. 2011: MEDUZA	New observing campaign: P Cygni > Více informací...
4. 5. 2011: TRESCA	55 e Cancri - a new transiting exoplanet! According to recent paper by Winn et al., "A Super-Earth Transiting a Naked-Eye Star", we have added new object to ETD - a bright star hosting famous planetary system 55 Cancri. MOST photometry shows very shallow transits of "e" planet.
28. 4. 2011: TRESCA	CoRoT candidates in ETD! In cooperation with Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences we have prepared a list of CoRoT candidates for follow-up / confirmation observation. There is a list of 12 CoRoT candidate objects and CoRoT transit predictions for these objects. Observers with larger apertures are welcome to observe new CoRoT objects (all in Aql constellation). We thank to dr. Jörg Weingrill for cooperation. > CoRoT Candidates > CoRoT Transit predictions
27. 4. 2011: AKCE	An invitation to international conference BEZOVEC 2011 (Slovakia, June 3 - 5, 2011) Bezovec 2011 - First announcement
22. 4. 2011: B.R.N.O.	Update of astrophysical interestingness of binary. An update of astrophysical interestingness of binary was made on "Minima predictions" pages. Dr. Petr Zasche made a revision of the current assessment of astrophysical interestingness of eclipsing binaries in our database and we have entered his knowledge into minima predictions. The astrophysical interestingness is shown colored label to the left of the name star on minima predictions page.
18. 4. 2011: TRESCA	Three new transiting exoplanets were added to ETD New exoplanets WASP-35 b, WASP-43 b and WASP-48 b were recently reported by B.Enoch et al. and C. Hellier et al. respectivelly. Previously dicovered exoplanet HAT-P-30 b was renamed to HAT-P-30/WASP-51 b according to independent discovery by B. Enoch et al.
8. 4. 2011: B.R.N.O.	B.R.N.O. Contributions #37 - Times of minima were issued. Today, our paper B.R.N.O. Contributions #37 - Times of minima was issued. All minimas of EBs submitted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 (till 9th March 2011) were published in OEJV 0137. Abstract: Paper presents observations of eclipsing binaries acquired by the Variable Star and Exoplanet Section of Czech Astronomical Society members (B.R.N.O. observing project) and cooperating observers. Paper contains 1270 minima timings for 478 eclipsing binaries, obtained by 45 observers during 2009 – 2011 period. Some neglected southern eclipsing binaries are included in the list. New accurate orbital elements have been found for 28 binary systems. Times of minima of an extraordinary quadruple sytem V994 Her are presented as well. All observers, who have submitted at least one CCD / DSLR minimum observation are co-authors of the paper. B.R.N.O. Contributions #37 - Times of minima
22. 3. 2011: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet HAT-P-30 b (Hya) was added to ETD. For details about the planet see the discovery paper by J. A. Johnson et al. HAT-P-30b: A transiting hot Jupiter on a highly oblique orbit
16. 3. 2011: WWW	New features in the observer logs Two new features have been implemented into observer logs (there are 51 logs and they contain a total of over 8000 records) 1) We added search by coordinates. On the front page of logs - the bottom - you will find a new form to search by coordinates. In the observer logs, some objects appear under different names. To locate a specific observation of objects, it is ideal to use just its coordinates. In order to use this feature easier, just enter a name of an object, which is already inserted in the logs. Coordinates of the object will be loaded and displayed along with the objects around (optional, defaults to 10 arcmin). That we were not limited to objects that are specified in the logs, it is even possible to enter an object name, which is known in the database CDS / Vizier. Form correctly identify all names GSC, USNO, 2MASS, etc. Search results are sorted by their distance from the inserted coordinates / object. 2) A separation by the constellation was implemented at the collective list of all observations. Listing of a huge number of objects was very confusing. Now just choose the constellation and then you see a list of filtered objects (only in the constellation). At the next step it is possible to filter by type of object or observing project. Both of these new features significantly enhance the convenience in our observer logs.
15. 3. 2011: TRESCA	New southern transiting exoplanet - WASP-23 b (Pup) was added to ETD For details see a discovery paper by Amaury H.M.J. Triaud et al., WASP-23b: a transiting hot Jupiter around a K dwarf and its Rossiter-McLaughlin effect
14. 3. 2011: B.R.N.O.	Catalog of 2165 binary stars discovered by KEPLER spacecraft Robert W. Slawson and col. published an updated catalog of binary stars, which are examining by KEPLER spacecraft. By this time, the 2165 of binaries were detected on square area of 115°. Besides the large number of different types of objects there are also a few "delicatessen". Four of them are multiple systems with three or more mutually eclipsing the components! Similar systems have been known to only two - V 994 Her (two eclipsing binary stars orbiting each other) and AV CMi (suspected at the 3rd eclipsing / transiting body). Eight of the binaries shows significant sinusoidal changes in O-C diagrams, which indicates that the third body orbits close to them. The catalog was published in this work: Kepler Eclipsing Binary Stars. II. 2165 Eclipsing Binaries in the Second Data Release On-line version of the catalog is here: http://keplerebs.villanova.edu
10. 3. 2011: TRESCA	Two new transiting exoplanets HAT-P-28 b (And) and HAT-P-29 b (Per) were added to ETD. Both exoplanets were published recently in paper HAT-P-28b and HAT-P-29b: Two Sub-Jupiter Mass Transiting Planets by L. A. Buchhave et al.
10. 3. 2011: WWW	New functions of the web In last days, we have developed some new functions of our web, especially for observers. 1) Commenting / observer reports For every single observation posted to our web (exoplanet tranist, minimum of eclipsing binary, data in observers log), each logged user can post a comment. All posted comments are displayed on everypage, where the object is displayed and in the special page. If you post an observers report about shifted minimum of eclipsing binary, your message will be visible at minima predictions page. 2) Add a picture to your profile If you are a registered user (or you're going to register), there is now possibility to append 3 pictures to your profile. The pictures will be displayed in your observers log, in list of currently operating observers and in observers' on-line chat. (see picture bellow)
9. 2. 2011: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet WASP-39 b (Vir) was added to ETD. For details on this new target, see F. Faedi et al., 2011, WASP-39b: a highly inflated Saturn-mass planet orbiting a late G-type star > Více informací...
7. 2. 2011: TRESCA	1200 KEPLER candidates were added to ETD We have updated the section of KEPLER candidate exoplanets with new orbital elements and new candidates published recently by J. W. Borucki and the Kepler team (see the paper). More accurate orbital elements gives observers better opportunity to catch the transit. AN IMPORTANT NEW: We have added all KEPLER candidates to our fitting routine, so observers can process and submit observation to the TRESCA database. > Více informací...
3. 2. 2011: TRESCA	Kepler-11 b, c, d, e, f and g planets were added to ETD. Both elements and all known transits recorded by Kepler spacecraft are now available in ETD. All informations are from: J. J. Lissauer et al., 2011, A closely packed system of low-mass, low-density planets transiting Kepler-11 (preprint available here).
20. 1. 2011: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet HAT-P-27 b was added to ETD. For more information see the discovery paper by Bence Béky, Gáspár Á. Bakos and others: HAT-P-27b: A hot Jupiter transiting a G star on a 3 day orbit > Více informací...
19. 1. 2011: TRESCA	New exoplanet KOI-428b was added to the ETD. For more information see discovery paper: SOPHIE velocimetry of Kepler transit candidates II. KOI-428b: a hot Jupiter transiting a subgiant F-star by A. Santerne et al.
11. 1. 2011: TRESCA	We have created a Facebook webpage for ETD - Exoplanet Transit Database. All observers and researchers are welcome to join the ETD community of friends of extrasolar planets. > Více informací...
11. 1. 2011: TRESCA	Kepler-10b and Kepler-9d planets were added to ETD Both planets are terestrical with wery small depth of transits ~ 0.0002 mag. For more information see discovery papers: - Kepler’s First Rocky Planet: Kepler-10b by N. M. Batalha, W. J. Borucki et al., 2011 - MODELING KEPLER TRANSIT LIGHT CURVES AS FALSE POSITIVES: REJECTION OF BLEND SCENARIOS FOR KEPLER-9, AND VALIDATION OF KEPLER-9 d, A SUPER-EARTH-SIZE PLANET IN A MULTIPLE SYSTEM by Torres G. et al., 2011
26. 12. 2010: TRESCA	New name among transiting exoplanets - and new transiting object: Qatar-1 b (Dra). The planet has been added to ETD and to all its functions. For more information about the target see the discovery paper: K.A.Alsubai et al., 2010, Qatar-1b: a hot Jupiter orbiting a metal-rich K dwarf star > Více informací...
9. 12. 2010: TRESCA	Dear TRESCA/ETD observes, we are preparing map of our transiting exoplanet observers. To complete the map we need following information (see example): 1) station name: Štefánik observatory 2) name(s) of active observer(s): Stanislav Poddaný (ETD admin) 3) equipment: MARK Telescope (0.40 m, CCD SBIG ST10XME) 4) postal address: Petřín 205, 110 00 Prague, Czech Republic 5) latitude: 50.08119 6) longitude: 14.39802 7) web link: http://www.observatory.cz/english.html 8) station photo maximum size 400x400 px We will continually update the map. As it currently looks like you can see here. Best Regards, Stanislav Poddaný, ETD admin email: poddany@observatory.cz
5. 12. 2010: B.R.N.O.	New observing campaign: V643 Ori - a long period eclipsing binary > Více informací...
30. 11. 2010: MEDUZA	Outburst of symbiotic star AX Per. According to VSNET alert and telegram IAU n.2555, the AX Per is coming to its major outburst.From quiescent state around 11,9 mag, the AX Per already rebrighting by 1 mag. A last major outburst was occured during 1988-1992. Since the time AX Per underwent a short-duration flare, which is evocated by orbital modulation with period 628 days. A short ourburst occured at 2009, but its duration was only several weeks. Could this short outburst be a similar precursor type event? Visual and color CCD observation is very desired now. > Více informací...
23. 11. 2010: B.R.N.O.	Full upgrade of orbital elements, minima predictions, neglection ratings and astrophysical interestingness of binary stars An upgrade of orbital elements for minima predictions from O-C gateway was made. A new neglection rating was created based on recent statistics from O-C gateway. An upgrade of astrophysical interestingness of binary was made: - new cell "unique" was added with black color marks - objects with highest observing priority is marked with "*"
23. 11. 2010: B.R.N.O.	A new interesting paper about discovery of exoplanet orbiting cataclysmic binary star DP Leo! K. Beuermann a col., 2010, The giant planet orbiting the cataclysmic binary DP Leonis This is another case (like about HW Vir star), when new exoplanet was discovered based on analysis O-C diagram of binary star (in this case cataclysmic). This new exoplanet is circumbinary planet - it orbits around both components of binary star. Parameters of exoplanet: Period = 28.0 +/- 2.0 years semi-major axis = 8.2 +/- 0.4 AU eccentricity = 0.39 +/- 0.13 Mass M sin(i) = 6.1 +/- 0.5 Mjup > Více informací...
14. 10. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet WASP-32 b (Psc) was added to ETD. See a discovery paper by P. F. L Maxted et al. 2010: WASP-32b: A transiting hot Jupiter planet orbiting a lithium-poor, solar-type star > Více informací...
8. 10. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanets HAT-P-26 b and WASP-38 b were added to ETD.
28. 9. 2010: TRESCA	WASP-10 c discovered using TTV! G.Maciejewski at al. have recently published paper "Transit timing variation and activity in the WASP-10 planetary system" showing TTV with solution leading to aditional 0.1 Mj planet on 5.23 d period. Data submitted to ETD and the ETD fitting alghorytm was used in the paper. Congratulation to authors and thank to observers! > Více informací...
24. 9. 2010: AKCE	European Variable Star Meeting In a few weeks time there will be an European Variable Star Meeting in the Netherlands. This is an excellent opportunity to meet variable star enthusiasts from all over Europe and even beyond. Share your experiences, tips and tricks. Hear what motivates the other observers. Listen to interesting talks on various variable star related subjects. So do not miss this event and register online now! This European Variable Star Meeting will take place in the scenic town of Groningen (the Netherlands), from Friday October 22 until Sunday October 24, 2010. The meeting itself will take place at the University Museum of the University of Groningen. We will offer an interesting program, including talks by professional and amateur astronomers and an excursion. And the price is right! The registration fee is only 50 Euros and includes a reception, two lunches, one dinner and an excursion. We can offer you affordable accommodation as well. There is no reason not to come. So we hope to see you all! You can find all the information on our website. More information can be obtained from Erwin van Ballegoij, aavso.id.bve@home.nl > Více informací...
28. 8. 2010: TRESCA	Kepler-9 b and Kepler-9 c transiting exoplanets were added to ETD Please note, that there are VERY significant TTV (hours!), so linear ephemerides gives is a bit uncertain transit predictions. See the plots: Kepler-9 b Kepler-9 c
19. 8. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet WASP-37 b was added to ETD. For more details, see discovery paper by E. K. Simpson et al., WASP-37b: a 1.7 MJ exoplanet transiting a metal-poor star > Více informací...
29. 7. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanets HAT-P-18 b (Her) and HAT-P-19 b (And) were published in a paper by J. D. Hartman et al., 27th Jul 2010: HAT-P-18b and HAT-P-19b: Two Low-Density Saturn-Mass Planets Transiting Metal-Rich K Stars Both exoplanets were added to ETD. > Více informací...
6. 7. 2010: AKCE	"VARIABLE STARS – 2010" International Conference in Odessa, Ukraine, August 16th – 21st, 2010, Odessa, Ukraine > Více informací...
19. 6. 2010: TRESCA	We have prepared a special page for KEPLER candidate objects. Recently published list of 311 candidates by William J. Borucki (Characteristics of Kepler Planetary Candidates Based on the First Data Set: The Majority are Found to be Neptune-Size and Smaller) was combined with identification of KOI targets. For each KEPLER candidate, there is also available transit predictions (UNCERTAIN).
1. 6. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet HAT-P-15 b (Per) G. Kovács et al. has issued paper about discovery of new transiting exoplanet with 10.9 days orbital period. For more information see discovery paper HAT-P-15b: A 10.9-day Extrasolar Planet Transiting a Solar-type Star > Více informací...
16. 5. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet HAT-P-16 b (And) was published by L. A. Buchhave et al. For detail information about the system see discovery paper HAT-P-16b: A 4 Mj Planet Transiting A Bright Star On An Eccentric Orbit The exoplanet was added to ETD predictions and to fitting procedure, so observers can upload measurmets to TRESCA database. Who will be the first?
5. 5. 2010: B.R.N.O.	A new paper about binary star ε Aurigae was published. This system has very long orbital period of 27.1 years and its primary eclipse is in progress now. A new ephemeris and an orbital solution of ε Aurigae, Pavel Chadima, Petr Harmanec, Stephenson Yang, Phillip D. Bennett, Hrvoje Božić, Domagoj Ruždjak, Davor Sudar, Petr Škoda, Miroslav Šlechta, Marek Wolf, Martin Lehký, Pavol Dubovský > Více informací...
5. 5. 2010: B.R.N.O.	Bulgarian astronomers published study of the newly discovered extremely short-period eclipsing binary GSC 2314-0530 Tri. A period is 0.192636d (4.62 hours). This no contact system consists of two red dwarfs and show also strong UV flares on light curve. > Více informací...
14. 4. 2010: TRESCA	7 new transiting exoplanets by SuperWASP! We have added the following new transiting exoplanets to ETD: WASP-8 b, WASP-21 b, WASP-24 b, WASP-25 b, WASP-28 b, WASP-29 b and WASP-33 b For more details, see www.superwasp.org > Více informací...
13. 4. 2010: B.R.N.O.	New on-line predictions of minimas of eclipsing binaries We have updated our predictions for eclipsing binaries. Everybody can now compute list of minimas of EBs for his observing site. Just type your coordinates. Till today, predictions only for central Europe were available. > Více informací...
12. 4. 2010: TRESCA	Two new transiting exoplanets were added to ETD and TRESCA databases: WASP-22 b (Eri) and WASP-26 b (Cet). For details about the new targets see discovery papers: WASP-22 b: A transiting "hot Jupiter" planet in a hierarchical triple system by P. F. L. Maxted et al. and WASP-26b: A 1-Jupiter-mass planet around an early-G-type star by B. Smalley et al.
22. 3. 2010: TRESCA	News about upcoming HAT-P-13 two planet perturbation during April Dr. Gregory Laughlin has written article Inside Information at oklo.org. Bruce Gary has prepared page Two-Planet Perturbations for 2010 at AXA. > Více informací...
18. 3. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet CoRoT-9 b with 95days long period was discovered by H. J. Deeg, C. Moutou et al. in Nature. The planet is orbiting in distance 0,36 AU around the parent star, has radius 1,05 Rjup and mass 0.84 Mjup. Transits are 0.017 mag depth and 8.08 hours long. Constelation: Serpens. Congratulation to CoRoT and the discovery team! For more information see the discovery paper: A transiting giant planet with a temperature between 250 K and 430 K. > Více informací...
17. 3. 2010: TRESCA	Possibility of major axis precession at WASP-12b?The data from TRESCA database were used for analysis of this phenomen. Christopher J. Campo and col. published a paper On the Orbit of Exoplanet WASP-12b , where they analyse the O-C diagram (TTV) of transits published at ETD and secondary transits observed from earth and by infrared Spitzer spacecraft. Data show typical apsidal motion, similar to that known at excentric eclipsing binaries. This is another occurrence of usage fo exoplanet transit observations, which were made by amateur astronomers. Our Exoplanet Transit Database (ETD) plays the key role at archiving data by all-world observers. > Více informací...
14. 3. 2010: MEDUZA	Our photometric data of V 407 Cygni from years 2002 - 2009. We've processed the V, Rc and Ic photometric data of this target, we have obtained during year 2009. They cover time from April 09 till end of October 09. We have observed V407 Cygni in order to get photometric data for graduation thesis of Zuzana Fischerova, who study cold components of some selected symbiotic variables. We have obtained about 100 measurments, which shows, that some significant brightening has started in September 2009. After some quiescent state during months April - August 2009, the object has brightened more than 1 mag during September and October 2009. See the light curves here: http://var2.astro.cz/EN/v407cyg.php (Data are available upon request) In comparison with optical behavior in years 2002 - 2005, the shape of LC in 2009 was different. So according to our data, the outburst may began in September 2009. Unfortunelly we don't have data after October 31st 2009, which may tell us if the brightenning was beginnig of the main outburst or only some pre-outburst instability. Photometric data from period November 2009 - February 2010 are strongly needed. > Více informací...
12. 3. 2010: TRESCA	New observing campaign: Search for HAT-P-13 c transit > Více informací...
12. 3. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet HAT-P-14 in Hercules G. Torres, G. A. Bakos et al. has published another transiting exoplanet by HAT-Net. The targed is bright star in Hercules constelation 3086-00152 (V = 9.98), transits are 4,5 mmag depth and 131 minutes long. Orbital period 4.62 days. For more information see the discovery paper: HAT-P-14b: A 2 Jupiter-mass exoplanet transiting a bright F star Object has been already added to ETD and TRESCA databases, so transit predictions are available now. > Více informací...
8. 3. 2010: MEDUZA	GK Per is going to outburst. Based on last news from VSNET observers, this recurrent nova brighten up from its stable state (13,2 mag). GK Per showed two type of outbursts in the past: the first, when outburst duration was about two month and reached 4 mag high, and second, when outburst duration take only few days and its high was to 1,5 mag. What type will be this outburst? Please, focus your equipment on this interesting object and send us your observation.
15. 2. 2010: WWW	Transfer of our web var2.astro.cz to another server of Czech astronomical society was done. All funcion are now available for you. Observers can now continue in data submissions to observer logs and databases of B.R.N.O, MEDUZA, TRESCA projects. Bugs should be reported to brat@pod.snezkou.cz
11. 2. 2010: WWW	THE WEB IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SERVER. Please do not submit any data to your observers logs and to databases MEDUZA, B.R.N.O. and TRESCA!
22. 1. 2010: B.R.N.O.	KEPLER: Two extreme binary stars J. F. Rowe and col. published a paper about two objects which were discovered at field of view of Kepler spacecraft. KOI-74 a KOI-81 were first detected like transiting exoplanets. Next analysis shown, that both objects have transits and also eclipses, whereas the eclipses are deeper than transits. It means they're eclipsing binaries. In both cases, the companions are orbiting very mass and hot star. In the first case the companion is star analogous to red dwarf, in the second case is analogous to white dwarf. Study of these extreme cases of stellar dualism is important for understanding of stellar evolution of all system. Now, we not sure, what type of secondary objects are. It is possible, the object already pass through stage of mass loss, or maybe we have opportunity to get to know objects, which were never describe before. We suggest to read: Observations of Transiting Hot Compact Objects, Jason F. Rowe et al., 2010 > Více informací...
12. 1. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet CoRoT-6 b in Oph M. Fridlund et al. has published discovery of new Corot transiting exoplanet - CoRoT-6 b. This pretty faint object (13.9 mag) shows 0.015 mag depth transits, 245 minutes long. The object was added to ETD and is now available in on-line predictions and for data submissions. For more information see: Transiting exoplanets from the CoRoT space mission IX. CoRoT-6b: a transiting hot Jupiter planet in an 8.9d orbit around a low-metallicity star > Více informací...
7. 1. 2010: TRESCA	New observing campaign: Transit of HD80606 b We are pronouncing a observing campaign for upcoming transit of longest-period known tranziting exoplanet HD 80606 b in UMa constelation. A period of exoplanet is 111 days and so we have especial opportunity to observe this transit, which will occur during night from 13th/14th January 2010. The transit will begin at 21:59 UT, 13th January 2010, midtransit will occur at 3:48 UT, 14th January and ends at 9:37 UT, 14th January 2010. All observers from Europe can capture a first middle of transit, which isn't cover well. Please send your observation to our ETD database. We wish you clear sky and GOOD LUCK. HD80606 b RA (J2000): 09 22 37.52, DE (J2000): +50 36 13.3, V = 9.06 mag, dV = 0.011 mag, duration = 698 minutes Identification image
6. 1. 2010: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanets by Kepler! NASA has published its early results with discoveries of 5 new transiting exoplanets Kepler 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b and 8b. All the objects were added to our database of known transiters and to ETD. So on-line predictions for Keplers exoplanets are available. > Více informací...
28. 12. 2009: TRESCA	AV CMi - eclipsing binary with transiting exoplanet? A. Liakos and P. Niarchos has found periodic transit-like features in light curve of ecplipsing binary AV CMi (EA, Porb = 2.277751 d). The third object is orbiting one of the binary component on inner orbit with period P' = 0.5192237 days. Published orbital elements for transits are Tmid = HJD 2454521.36315 + 0.5192237d * E Transit duration is 3.3 hours (200 minutes) and the depth is about 2.6% (0.028 mag). Apparent magnitude of AV CMi is about 11.5 mag and EB amplitude is 0.3 mag. We have prepared predictions of the probably transit for observers here. Results of preliminary study published by Liakos and Niarchos leads to a conclusion, that the third object must be a brown dwarf or hot jupiter exoplanet. For more information see: A. Liakos, P. Niarchos, Preliminary results for the triple system AV CMi
19. 12. 2009: TRESCA	NEW SOUTHERN TRANSITING EXOPLANET WASP-19 B was added to ETD. It is the shortest period transiting exoplanet yet discovered. The object is now available in our transit predictions and also is available for data submission to ETD. For more information see discovery paper by L. Hebb et al., 2010, The Shortest Period Transiting Exoplanet Yet Discovered > Více informací...
16. 12. 2009: TRESCA	GJ 1214 b - NEW TRANZITING SUPER-EARTH IN Oph! David Charbonneau et al. has discovered a new tranziting super-Earth (Rp = 2,68 Re) - GJ 1214 b. The planet has mass Mp = 6,55Me and orbital period 1,58 days. While CoRoT-7 b, the first known tranziting super Earth has very shallow transits (0.0004 mag), the newly discovered tranziter has much deeper transits: 0.017 mag! It is orbiting a red dwarf star, not a Sun-like one. So many observers world-wide can focus on this target! Although the star GJ 1214 is very faint in V band (V = 14.5 mag), in red and infrared colors it is much brighter (I = 11.5 mag). So 20cm telescope with CCD camera and I or Clear filter should be sufficient to obtain good photometry. The new tranziter, GJ1214 b has been already added to ETD and so it is now available in tranzit predictions and for data submissions. Clear skies! A super-Earth transiting a nearby low-mass star David Charbonneau a kol. 2009, Nature 462, 891-894 (17 December 2009) > Více informací...
9. 12. 2009: TRESCA	Exoplanet Observing for Amateurs - Second Edition - by Bruce L. Gary, now available. > Více informací...
3. 12. 2009: TRESCA	An article about Exoplanet Transit Database on server oklo.org. Gregory Laughlin (console systemic for RV analyses, server transitsearch.org) published on his Weblog server an article about ETD. Arrived: ETD He reacts on fact,that from 1st Dec 2009 the AXA (Amateur Exoplanet Archive) has discontinued receiving data, so ETD and TRESCA database became the only active internet source for transit observers worldwide. > Více informací...
2. 12. 2009: MEDUZA	N Eri 2009 = KT Eri According to IAUC 9098, the GCVS team has assigned the variable star designation KT Eri to Nova Eri 2009.
30. 11. 2009: MEDUZA	Nova Eridani 2009 Itagaki-san has discovered a new bright object (8,1 mag) in Eridanus constellation. You can find it on this coordinates 044754.21 -101043.1 The first assumption, that it's a dwarf nova of type WZ Sge, wasn't confirm. A spectroscopic observations show, it's a common He/N nova. Below are messages from VSNET------------------------------ VSNET 11692: According to CBET 2050, Itagaki-san has discovered a bright (8.1 mag) eruptive object in Eridanus (position 044754.21 -101043.1). Although this object has been suggested to be a possible nova, the object might also be a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova. Spectroscopic and time-resolved photometric observations are urged. VSNET 11693: Following the posting on the Central Bureau's unconfirmed-objects webpage & Cbet No. 2050 about a possible Nova in Eri we performed some follow-up of this object remotely through a 0.25-m, f/3,4 reflector + CCD, from GRAS Observatory (near Mayhill, NM). On our images taken on November 26.36 we can confirm the presence of an optical counterpart with unfiltered CCD magnitude about 8.2 (UCAC2 Catalogue reference stars) at coordinates: R.A. = 04 47 54.12, Decl.= -10 10 43.1 (equinox 2000.0; UCAC2 catalogue reference stars). A comparison with a DSS red plate (limiting magnitude about 20), obtained on 1990, Nov. 23, shows the proximity of a 15mag star to the position of the possible nova in Eri. On the blog our confirmation image and an animation using a DSS archive plate: http://bit.ly/4mLBz1 or http://remanzacco.blogspot.com/2009/11/possible-nova-in-eridanus.html Best Regards, Ernesto Guido & Giovanni Sostero http://remanzacco.blogspot.com http://twitter.com/comets77 VSNET-ALERT 11694: M. Fujii (Okayama, Japan) obtained a low-resolution spectrum of the object. He reports that the spectrum shows the Balmer (FWHM of H_alpha emission is 3200 km/s), He I (447.1, 501.6, 587.6, 667.8, 706.5 nm), N III (464.0 nm), Na I D (589.2 nm), O I(777.3, 844.6 nm), and Mg II (823.2 nm) emission lines. http://otobs.org/FBO/fko/nova/pn_eri_20091126.gif I also obtained a spectrum of the object which shows broad Balmer, He I, and N III emission lines. The FWHM of H_alpha emission is 3400km/s. http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~maehara/novae/ERInova2009_20091126.gif These features suggest that this object is a He/N nova.
9. 11. 2009: WWW	New functions in our on-line Observer Logs. From now, the observers can plot a phase diagram for all observations of periodical variable stars. How to proceed: 1) Choose one star from list of observed stars 2) The summary of all inserted observations is listed. A orbital elements for binary stars and exoplanets are shown above table. For other known variable stars a data from GCVS are shown. 3) It's possible to check observation, which you want include to phase diagram. For observation where different comparison stars were used, you can enter a vertical shift to compensate this offset. 4) After submiting, a phase diagran is plotted (see figure). A used photometric filters are marked. 5) To zoom any part of phase diagram, enter desired values for X axis to field under figure of phase. - if data were inserted in geocentric time, a automatic heliocentric correction is executed. - you can list data "phase - mag" at ASCII format - you can save your individual settings for orbital elements, shifts and chosen observations. > Více informací...
14. 10. 2009: VARIABLES	Photometry using DSLR camera. Interesting paper was published at OEJV (Open European Journal on Variable stars). Group of Italian observers published a observation of XX Cygni, SX Phoenicis class of short period variable stars, using common DSLR camera Canon EOS 400D mounted on 8cm APO refractor. They made detail analysis of this dataset together with CCD observation taken from AAVSO database. See for more details: Light curve analysis of XX Cygni from data taken using DSLR Yearly in summer our organization hold a Workshop for observers of variable stars. During this year's workshop, group of our observers made observation of eclipsing binary star GK Cep using common DSLR camera Canon EOS 300D. Results you can see on figures below. These first published results of DSLR photometry show new domain for owners DSLR cameras, who want to contribute to research of variable stars. > Více informací...
21. 9. 2009: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet COROT-5 b (Mon) was added to ETD. For details see discovery paper Transiting exoplanets from the CoRoT space mission: VII. The "hot-Jupiter"-type planet CoRoT-5b by H. Rauer et al. 2009 > Více informací...
27. 8. 2009: TRESCA	New south transiting exoplanet, WASP-18 b (Phe) was added to ETD C. Hellier et al. has published in NATURE journal discovery of 18th WASP exoplanet. The WASP-18 b is 10Mjup planet orbiting very very close to its parent star with period 0.94 days! The theory predicts to this planet strong tidal interaction with the star and soon death. For more information see the discovery paper. > Více informací...
12. 8. 2009: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet in Scorpius, WASP-17 b added to ETD Exoplanet b orbiting its parent V=11.6 mag F6 star with period 3.73 days causes transits with depth 0.019 mag and duration 263 minutes. Interesting on this planet is its probably retrograde orbit. For more information see discovery paper by D. R. Anderson et al., WASP-17b: an ultra-low density planet in a probable retrograde orbit. > Více informací...
10. 8. 2009: TRESCA	Transit light curve of HAT-P-7 b from Kepler space telescope! Kepler research team published first results of observations this new NASA's exoplanet hunter. The observations were collected from a transiting exoplanet HAT-P-7 b and Kepler team presents its transit light curve. Although it's very known system, these new measurements are so precise, they also show a smooth rise and fall of the light between transits caused by the changing phases of the planet. It's demonstration of amazing Kepler precision and capability to detect Earth-like planets. > Více informací...
7. 8. 2009: B.R.N.O.	Astrophysical interestingness of binary stars. To on-line predictions of binary stars we added special labels based on their astrophysical interestingness. Our member Ladislav Šmelcer evolved this system of marking according O-C diagrams of known systems. For systems, where a period changes or they shows some interesting behavior, is used color label in online prediction. Our encouragement is to observe a systems at once with high neglection rating and some astrophysical interestingness! > Více informací...
5. 8. 2009: TRESCA	Full covered transit of HD80606 b (UMa) J.N.Winn and col. published a results of a pan-American campaign to observe the 2009 June 5 transit of the exoplanet HD 80606b - the exoplanet with longest known period, 111 days. The discovery observation from February 2009 shown only transit egress, so many parameters were determinated with low precision. During next transit of HD80606 b (in June 2009) the observers connect to pan-American campaign detected a first transit ingress for this system. Base on this observations (from February and June 2009) the research team determinate a real transit duration - 11.64 hours. The next transit occured on 2009 September 24/25 - we can observe transit egress. > Více informací...
2. 8. 2009: TRESCA	Transiting super-Earth CoRoT-7 b added to ETD The smallest known transiting exoplanet CoRoT-7 b with radius 1.68 R_Earth was finaly published by A. Léger et al. We have added this 0,0003 mag depth transiter of 11,7 mag faint star to ETD, whatever it is observable only by large telescopes or space missions. For more details, see discovery paper: Transiting exoplanets from the CoRoT space mission VIII. CoRoT-7b: the first Super-Earth with measured radius, A. Léger et al., 2009 > Více informací...
22. 7. 2009: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet HAT-P-13 b (and c ?) in UMa G. A. Bakos et al. has discovered a new transiting exoplanet in double exoplanet system HAT-P-13 b and c. The "b" planet is transiting with orbital period 2.9 days and "c" planet is outer-planet with period 428.5 days and it is not known to display transits. The "b" planet was added to ETD with initial - discovery TTV data by Bakos et al. and is now available in transit predictions and in our fitting alghorytm. For more details, see discovery paper HAT-P-13b,c: a transiting hot Jupiter with a massive outer companion on an eccentric orbit by G. A. Bakos and 17 co-authors. > Více informací...
13. 7. 2009: TRESCA	Modelling of exoplanet system from transit light curve We have added NEW FUNCTION to TRESCA & ETD transit submitions. Derived depth and length of transit are used for computing exoplanet parameters planet radius and inclination angle. Uncertainities are computed as well. The result is given both in table and as visualization of the transit event viewed from Earth. Comparation with catalogue / published parameters is available as well. The model is located undermost the transit detail page. > Více informací...
27. 5. 2009: TRESCA	Transit of HD80606 b 4th/5th June 2009 We advice observers, that famous 111d period transiter HD80606 b discovered in february will undergo another transit event expected between 04.06 19:00 UT and 05.06 12:30 UT with center of the transit 05.06 3:30 UT. Note, that transit duration 17,2 hour used for this prediction is not sure, becouse ingress wasnt' yet observed. If we take into account sure observations - last egress - and period 111.436d, we can expect the next egress will end in 5th June, 12.30 UT. A range of duration is 17,2 - 9,5 hours, so ingress must start between 4th June, 19:10 UT and 5th June 03:16 UT. This is the main goal for observers - catch the ingress to find out true lenght of the transit. See chart and prediction in detail
27. 5. 2009: TRESCA	Change of orbit inclination - proof of next planet in this system? D. Mislis a J.H.M.M. Schmitt published a paper about possible change in the orbit parameters of the TrES-2 exoplanet. The authors analyzed the discovery observations in 2006 a compare them with recent observation in 2008. Based on this analysis they detect a change of transit duration by the 3,16 minutes shorter then transits in 2006. The authors offer a explanation, that this change of orbit inclination may be caused by third planet in system. A gentle abbreviation is also discoverable from ETD data, but data dispersion is too large. It's interesting, that from ETD dataset is also noticeable a sequent lowering of transit depth. Because of this effect didn't investigated by authors, we don't know, if it's a real, or this phenomena is result of incorrect determination of this parameter from amateur light curves. > D. Mislis, J.H.M.M. Schmitt, Detection of orbital parameter changes in the TrES-2 exoplanet ? > data from Exoplanet Transit Database > Více informací...
20. 5. 2009: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet WASP-13 b (Lyn) was added to ETD. I. Skillen et al. has published new transiting exoplanet - WASP-13 b orbiting Solar like star GSC 2496-1114, V = 10.5 mag in Lynx with period 4.35298 days and transit epoch BJD = 2454491.6161. The depth of transit is 0.009 mag and duration 232 minutes. For more details see discovery paper: The 0.5M_J transiting exoplanet WASP-13b
13. 5. 2009: MEDUZA	Taichi Kato and col. published a comprehensive paper about evolution of superhump period in SU UMa-type dwarf novae. Based on their analysis, in many system, the evolution of superhump period are found to be composed of three distinct stages: early evolutionary stage with a longer superhump period, middle stage with systematically varying periods, final stage with a shorter, stable superhump period. T. Kato et al. (c.90 coauthors) "Survey of Period Variations of Superhumps in SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae" > Více informací...
5. 5. 2009: B.R.N.O.	A new neglection rating and improvements of minima predictions for eclipsing binaries were created. New observations, inserted to O-C gate during last six months, were included at on-line minima predictions. We also changed philosophy of rating. From now, the observations of primary and secondary minimas are included together to rating. It means, that for any star a primary and secondary minima have the same value of neglection (1 to 10). The result is, that the rating decreased for almost all stars and only the stars, which aren't observed at last 10 years, have rating 10. Next, the mistake was corrected in minima predictions, when sometimes for one time of minima the primary and secondary prediction was displayed. Finally, the observers have now possibility to filter list of minima predictions for height above horizon and azimut in time of minima.
1. 5. 2009: TRESCA	New transiting exoplanet HAT-P-12 b (CVn) was added to ETD. Objects magnitude is V=12.8, spectrum K4 dwarf, cross-identification is GSC 03033-00706. Orbital period P = 3.2130598 +/- 0.0000021 d, transit epoch Tc = 2454419.19556 +/- 0.00020 (BJD) and duration 140.3 +- 0.9 minutes. Transit depth is 0.020 mag. The object was added to transit predictions, model-fitting algorithm and to the main table. For more details see discovery paper: J.D.Hartman et al., HAT-P-12b: A Low-Density Sub-Saturn Mass Planet Transiting a Metal-Poor K Dwarf > Více informací...
27. 4. 2009: TRESCA	K. Batygin and col. published a paper at Astrophysical Journal about possible presence of second exoplanet at transiting system GJ436. The authors investigated the possibility that the large orbital eccentricity of the transiting Neptune-mass planet Gliese 436b is caused by a second planet in the system. Based on their calculation, the hypotetic second planet (GJ436 c) could have evoked a fluctuation of GJ436 b transits in O-C diagram with amplitude +/- 5sec. Of course, it's only one from many possible explanation of this phenomenon. Konstantin Batygin, Gregory Laughlin, Stefano Meschiari, Eugenio Rivera, Steve Vogt, Paul Butler A Quasi-Stationary Solution to Gliese 436b's Eccentricity > Více informací...
7. 4. 2009: CLANEK	New broadband UBVRcIc photoelectric observations on the Johnson-Kron-Cousins photometric system have been made for 202 stars around the sky and centered at the celestial equator. The goal of this observations was include a new and correct old values of photometric standard stars at interval 8.9 - 16.3 mag. More: Arlo U. Landolt, UBVRI Photometric Standard Stars Around the Celestial Equator: Updates and Additions > Více informací...
27. 3. 2009: AKCE	Binaries - Key to Comprehension of the Universe, Second announcement Second announcement, Binaries – Key to Comprehension of the Universe > Více informací...
27. 3. 2009: MEDUZA	The paper about FUor object Z CMa was published. The authors published results of spectroscopic and photometric observations with analysis of X-ray observation from Chandra spacecraft. In this paper was also published photometric data, which was acquired by our observers L.Brát (Altan observatory, Pec pod Sněžkou) a L.Šmelcer (Observatory of Valašské Meziříčí) during photometric campaign at Dec.2008/Jan.2009. B. Stelzer, S. Hubrig, S. Orlando, G. Micela, Z. Mikulasek, M. Schoeller The X-ray emission from Z CMa during an FUor-like outburst and the detection of its X-ray jet > Více informací...
27. 3. 2009: TRESCA	Kepler Exoplanet Transit Hunt. Do you want to know, how the scientists from NASA discover a data from Kepler mission? Do you search any education tools for your astronomical group? On a home web page of Kepler mission was launched an advanced simulation of discovering exoplanets by the transit method. You need only a browser with supporting of flash animations. In this simulation you educate, how to calculate so parameters of expolanet like orbital period, distance from host star, exoplanet surface temperature and planet radius. Based on this parameters you'll show if your planet is in the star's habitable zone and if a life is possible on them. This simulation you find on this page: http://kepler.nasa.gov/ed/xo/ > Více informací...
2. 3. 2009: WWW	RSS channel with news from var.astro.cz We made RSS channel from news section of our web. Now, you can be simply notified about new articles or news via your RSS reader or you can include articles and news to your web pages. English URL of the RSS feed is: http://var2.astro.cz/EN/rss_news.php Possible bugs should be sent to the webmaster: brat@pod.snezkou.cz.
27. 2. 2009: TRESCA	The primary transit of HD 80606 b was detected! C.Moutou and col.reported the detection of the primary transit of the extra-solar planet HD 80606 b via photometric and spectroscopic observations. They observed only whole egress of the transit and partially its central part, because the ingress occurred in time before sunset.The data allow to determinate a duration of transit between 9.5 and 17.2 hours. It's evident from the dataset, that two our observers, J. Trnka (Observatory of Slany) a F. Lomoz (Observatory of Sedlcany), were observing exoplanet at time of primary transit. Only unfavorable weather caused, the ingress of transit wasn't detected. However, the data from our observers can help to improve a model and help to specify a true transit duration. This transiting exoplanet HD 80606 b was added to database of known transiting exoplanets and also to ETD (Exoplanet Transit Database). The next primary transit will occur at night 4/5 June 2009. > Více informací...
18. 2. 2009: TRESCA	New transiting extrasolar planet WASP-15 b was discovered in Centaurus constellation. R.G. West a col. reported the discovery of a low-density exoplanet transiting an 11th magnitude star in the Southern hemisphere. According the discovery team, WASP-15 b is the one of least dense transiting exoplanets so far discovered. The average density of exoplanets is 0,248 +/- 0,035 g.cm^-3, which means a quarter of water density. WASP-15 b orbits a hosting star (V=11mag) at a distance 0.0499 AU with period P = 3.7520656 +/- 0.0000028 d. The planet mass is M_P = 0,542 +/- 0,050 M_J and radius is R_P = 1,428 +/- 0,077 R_J. Transit Epoch is HJDmid = 2454584.69823 +/- 0.00029, depth of transit is 0.011 mag and its duration is 223 minutes. The WASP-15 b was add to database of known transiting exoplanets and also to ETD (Exoplanet Transit Database). > Více informací...
15. 2. 2009: TRESCA	Result of HD80606 b transit searching in Czech republic Two observatories has clear sky (for a few hours) in night 13/14 Feb 2009 and have performed CCD run of HD 80606 in UMa. Observatory Slany (Jaroslav Trnka) was observing from 17:38 till 20:16 UT 13th Feb and did not detect any changes. Observatory Sedlcany (Frantisek Lomoz) was observing in B and R band from 19:52 till 21:33 UT, 13th Feb and did not detect any significant light changes. In both cases, observation cannot continue due to clouds.
12. 2. 2009: TRESCA	Update of TRESCA protocols was made. Data fitting procedure is now showing both original light and trend-removed light curve with a fit. > Více informací...
3. 2. 2009: TRESCA	According to exoplanet.eu, the First transiting super-Earth was found - CorotExo-7 b. Discovery was announced by: ROUAN D., LEGER A., SCHNEIDER J. et al , 2009 Has CoRoT discovered the first transiting super-earth around a main sequence star ? in CoRoT International Symposium I. BOUCHY F., MOUTOU C., QUELOZ D. et al. , 2009 Radial velocity follow-up of CoRoT candidates : strategy, facilities and results in CoRoT International Symposium I. Radius should be between 1.75 and 2 Earth radius, Orbital period: 0.85 d around a K star (T= 5300K) Mass: less than 11 M_Earth A paper is in preparation for Astronomy and Astrophysics. > Více informací...
3. 2. 2009: AKCE	Binaries – Key to Comprehension of the Universe - First announcement for the international conference which will be held in Brno, Czech Republic from 8th to 12th June, 2009. First announcement, Binaries – Key to Comprehension of the Universe Organisers are looking towards to meet with you in the late Spring in Brno! > Více informací...
30. 1. 2009: TRESCA	Error in sending new transit observations was corrected. For those observers, who were trying to upload their observation to TRESCA database via english version of our server. This function were not working since december 2008. We appologise for this bug. > Více informací...
30. 1. 2009: TRESCA	The new transiting exoplanet WASP-6 b (Aqr) was added to Table of known transiting exoplanets. It's very low mass planet - only half mass of Jupiter and 1.2 radius of Jupiter means, it's gas giant with low density. WASP-6 b Aqr orbits a solar-type star at distance 0.042 AU with period P = 3.361 days. The transit depht is 0.024 mag and its durations is 156 minutes. The discovery paper by M. Gillon and col.: Discovery and characterization of WASP-6b, an inflated sub-Jupiter mass planet transiting a solar-type star > Více informací...
30. 1. 2009: TRESCA	The curve of air mass progression was added to transit exoplanet protocol (project TRESCA). It has a same functionality and background like it's at Observers Log. More information about it: "The Observers Log upgrade" > Více informací...
29. 1. 2009: WWW	The Observers Log upgrade. The upgrade of observers log was made and from now, for all your observation a progression of air mass X is plotted under light curve. In general, X = 1 for 90° above horizon, X = 2 for 30° above horizon etc. The air mass is calculated by relation: X = (1 – 0,0012 tan2(z))*sec(z), where z is zenith distance. The air mass is calculated from coordinates of observed object, from geographic coordinates of observation site and time of observation. For all registered observers, the geographic coordinates was set according geographic center of state, which it's written in you profile. If you want to correct location of your site, log in and edit your personal data including a coordinates of observation site. > Více informací...
14. 1. 2009: TRESCA	New feature in Exoplanet Transit Database (ETD) For each transiting exoplanet, prediction for next year (next 365 days) can be displayed. For your observing place, you'll obtain all transits with highlighted observable versus below horizont and during daylight. For example see transit prediction for HD17156 b for central Europe in next 365 days. This ETD function is accessible via Transit predictions (click on object designation in main table) and via main object page (click on "Show transit predictions for NEXT 365 days" function). > Více informací...
7. 1. 2009: TRESCA	New transiting extrasolar planet HAT-P-11b was discovered in Cygnus constellation. It's the first hot Neptun type of exoplanets, which it was discovered by transit searches. HAT-P-11b orbits a hosting bright (V=9.59) and metal rich K4 dwarf star at a distance 0.05 AU with period P = 4.8878 days. The transit depht is only 0.004 mag and its durations is 138 minutes. The indication of next exoplanets at this system was found by authors (G. A. Bakos and co.) during data analysis. Oncoming Kepler mission should make confirmation about its present. The HAT-P-11b was add to on-line transits predictions on our server var.astro.cz, and to database of known transiting exoplanets and also to ETD (Exoplanet Transit Database). > Více informací...
29. 12. 2008: B.R.N.O.	EE Cep campaign - EE Cep is a very long period (5.6 year) eclipsing binary star. Because the 2008/2009 eclipse of EE Cep is coming, all observers are appealed to participate in observations. During different eclipses very large changes of the duration and the depth of particular minima are observed. The one of possible explanation is the present of dark, opaque and relatively thick disc around a low luminosity central object: a low-mass single star or a close binary. The eclipse duration is 60 days and it is desirable to cover it with CCD (at photometric UBVRcIc filters) and visual datas. The campaign is pronounced by Cezary Galan from Torun university (PL), cgalan@astri.uni.torun.pl Finding chart and some tips for CCD photometry you can download here: EE Cep - photometry guide More informations and results you can find on home page of campaign. You can load your data to MEDUZA database and send them to brat@pod.snezkou.cz.
20. 12. 2008: MEDUZA	FU Ori type - HH object Z CMa is undergoing strong outburst. Bellow, you can see latest light curve and finding chart for CCD observers with UBVRI values of comparison stars. Data should be sent to MEDUZA database, reduced to standard photometri UBVRcIc system.
19. 12. 2008: TRESCA	The SuperWasp Consorcium and authors team finally declassified a coordinates of system WASP-12. This system with transiting exoplanet lies at Auriga constellation. In this time it's at convenient position for observation. The host star GSC 1891-1178 has visual magnitude V = 11.69 mag. The planet has an equilibrium temperature about 2500K caused by its very short period orbit P = 1.09 days around host star. The depth of transit is 0.014 mag and transit duration is 2.7 hours. The discovery paper by L.Hebb and coll.: "WASP-12b: The hottest transiting planet yet discovered" is downloadable from this link: http://arxiv.org/abs/0812.3240 The WASP-12 b was add to on-line transits predictions on our server var.astro.cz, and to database of known transiting exoplanets and also to ETD (Exoplanet Transit Database).
9. 12. 2008: WWW	English version of our web was released for public at URL http://var.astro.cz/EN. In first weeks, there may be some errors and bugs. Please report them to webmaster: brat@pod.snezkou.cz. > Více informací...
7. 12. 2008: AKCE	New action: Binaries - Key to Comprehension of the Universe > Více informací...
29. 11. 2008: WWW	Building of english version of our web has started. > Více informací...