Finding variable sources in TAUVEX

From Tauwiki

Contents 1 Extracting Variable Sources 1.1 Overview 1.2 Triggered Variable Sources 1.2.1 Algorithm 1.3 Tracking Variability from Catalogs

[edit] Extracting Variable Sources

[edit] Overview

Because we get the data from TAUVEX in real time, the instrument is well suited for detecting variable sources. These sources are of two types:

1. Those that are known sources which may or may not be known to be variable. These sources may be processed post-facto - after the observation is complete.
2. Those sources which show variability in the course of an observation. It will be important to identify these sources in real time and alert an observer, perhaps through SMS.

[edit] Triggered Variable Sources

[edit] Algorithm

1. Read data for N frames.
   1. Shift and add frames to increase signal to noise.
2. Compare sources with existing catalogs.
   1. If a new source is detected above threshold limit then send alert to operator.

[edit] Tracking Variability from Catalogs

1. Find point sources from TAUVEX point source catalog.
2. Go through individual frames and find brightness of source.
3. Create time history of each source.