This is an on-going project. The idea for the Suspect Database came from a project I did a few years ago — going through all AAVSO charts to see what AAVSO suspect stars may have been identified in the then new Millennium Star Atlas. I soon found, however, that matching the AAVSO suspects to other databases was difficult because these suspects were identified by AAVSO names such as "2016+47C 100 comp E" with no cross-references to other star names or other databases. The first project resulted in penciling up about 3600 charts manually with a lot of notes about AAVSO suspects, Hipparcos variables, NSV stars and other non-AAVSO program variables that appeared within the bounds of all scales of AAVSO charts. I also identified dozens of chart errors and mysteries, since reported to the AAVSO.

This initial data, and Project Pluto Guide 7 software, provided the basic information for the Suspect Project database pole to pole and for all "suspect-class" stars within the Validation file.

The Database

It also became very clear as the project proceeded, that besides considering the Suspects listed in Validation that a very large number of comparison stars were unlabeled GCVS variables or suspected (NSV) variables that are not identified in Validation! I therefore expanded the project to also identify and include these so that the AAVSO chart makers can consider if these stars should be reconsidered as visual comparison stars. Obviously having variable comparison stars is not a good thing!

I have also included the RA and declination, spectrum and other information on each star, as well as the cross to any known variable or suspected variable. A complete description of each column in the database is given below. I am less concerned over the exact accuracy of this supplementary data, since it is better found by searching databases using the GSC name as the key. I have, however, provided this information since it is of immediate interest when scanning through the list. Recently, I have also expanded the number of columns in the spreadsheet to provide better data for stars that are confirmed to be variable.

Database Description

AAVSO Identifier — For suspected variables, I have used the AAVSO name as it appears in the Validation File. What is the most important part of the descriptor is the AAVSO (Harvard) Designator in the next column. Where the stars in this list are not in the Validation file (ie. they are NSVs, GCVS or other variables) I have created a name for the star using the approximate nomenclature that the AAVSO would normally use if they identified this star as a new Validation entry. Those not familiar with the naming, the first part of the name is the magnitude of the suspected comparison star with the decimal missing. Then usually the word "comp" (comparison) is inserted, though it may be "var" or var?" if the star is thus labeled on the chart. The name is completed by identifying the direction from the chart-variable to the suspect. This direction can be N, S, E, W, NE, SW, and excreta. One identification limitation is that the name can only have 10 digits (including spaces), so often the last part of the direction is approximate at best. Also, if there are two comparisons stars of the SAME magnitude in a quadrant or direction, the star may be named "88 comp SS" where "SS" means "south of south", (i.e. the farther of the two). Obviously, these names do not provide unique identification, since a lot of variables have a 10.0 magnitude comparison star somewhere to the east, thus this project! Not all names follow this convention, and some names are so cryptic I could not identify the suspect. This will be a job for an AAVSO staff member that will require digging through archive files manually!

AAVSO Desig. — This is the real AAVSO (Harvard) identifier, uniquely retained for each variable star and each suspect star (though on very rare occasions the names are modified if duplicate numbers are accidentally assigned). The name is composed of the rough RA (hours and minutes) and declination (degrees) in the standard 1900 epoch position, following original Harvard naming rules. This name never changes (again unless duplication errors are identified) and stays with this star forever. It should be read as a NAME and not an accurate representation of the current position!

Name — This is the cross-reference generally to the GSC catalog. Where no GSC number was available, the star was crossed to another database where possible.

RA (2000) — This is the right ascension of the star in the year 2000 as given by the data source in the format HH MM SS.SS. (FK5 format). The position is formatted to the same precision used in other AAVSO databases (rounded to 2 decimal places) though most of the stars have far more precise positions available.

Decl (2000) — This is the declination of the star in the year 2000 as given by the data source in the format + or — DD MM SS.S. (FK5 format). Note that there is a SPACE before the + or — sign since spreadsheets love to do math when cells are prefixed with a mathematical symbol. This also allows the RA and Decl columns to be merged into a position format ready for SIMBAD or other search engines.

Cat. Mag. (V) — This is the magnitude of that star as reported by the source. Note that "unvarying" magnitudes are given even for stars that are known to be variable. This column is to be used as a rough guide only to the star's general brightness. Ranges of variables and suspected ranges for suspects are usually given in the Range column. Unless otherwise noted, magnitudes given are V-magnitudes.

Spec — This is the spectrum of the star as reported by the source. Sources vary widely as to the exact spectra for the same star. Use this as guideline only.

Source — This is the database from which I retrieved for the bulk of the reported data, though some data is necessarily taken from multiple sources. Again, the important part of this database the AAVSO Identifier verses Name cross. Sources generally used are, in order of preference, Hipparcos Input Catalog (HIC), Tycho, GSC1.2, Simbad, GCVS, NSV.

Alt. ID - This is the cross-reference to alternate identification such as the GCVS, NSV or other catalog name. I have identified all variables and suspected variables that are currently coincident with labeled comparison stars even if the variation is very small. I have not made a judgment as to whether or not a star of low amplitude should or should not be used as a comparison star. This will be a decision of AAVSO chart makers. I have NOT identified any variable stars that may appear on a chart if it is not coincident with a labeled comparison star. (This will likely be done at a later date as part of the Global Database project).

Var? — This is a quick-look column where I have judged whether or not the star is variable after reviewing available data from any number of sources.

Type — This is the star's type of variation, if the star has been identified as variable, or the likely type if still suspected.

Range — This is the star's range of variation, typically in V, if the star has been identified as variable, or the likely range if still suspected.

Per (d) — This is the star's period of variation in days.

Notes & Confirming Source — This is where all other cross-references and other relevant data appears, and where other notes are given.