Characterization of CoRoT target fields with BEST: Identification of periodic variable stars in the IR01 field

TL;DR

This study used the BEST telescope to observe the CoRoT IR01 field, identifying 19 periodic variable stars among over 30,000 stars, aiding in the selection of targets for the CoRoT mission.

Contribution

First systematic identification of periodic variable stars in the CoRoT IR01 field using ground-based observations with BEST.

Findings

Detected 19 periodic variable stars within the CoRoT FOV.

Marked 3769 stars as suspected variables from 30426 observed.

Provided valuable data to improve CoRoT target selection.

Abstract

We report on observations of the CoRoT IR01 field with the Berlin Exoplanet Search Telescope (BEST). BEST is a small aperture telescope with a wide field of view (FOV). It is dedicated to search for variable stars within the target fields of the CoRoT space mission to aid in minimizing false-alarm rates and identify potential targets for additional science. CoRoT's observational programm started in February 2007 with the "initial run" field (IR01) observed for about two months. BEST observed this field for 12 nights spread over three months in winter 2006. From the total of 30426 stars observed in the IR01 field 3769 were marked as suspected variable stars and 54 from them showed clear periodicity. From these 19 periodic stars are within the part of the CoRoT FOV covered in our data set.