Felix de Roy: a life of variable stars

TL;DR

Felix de Roy was a prominent amateur astronomer who made extensive visual observations of variable stars, analyzed data, and led the BAA Variable Star Section, significantly advancing the field of variable star research.

Contribution

This paper highlights Felix de Roy's life, his extensive observational work, and his leadership in promoting variable star research, emphasizing his dual role as observer and analyst.

Findings

Made 91,000 visual estimates of variable stars

Led the BAA Variable Star Section for 17 years

Published numerous papers analyzing variable star data

Abstract

Felix de Roy (1883-1942), an internationality recognised amateur astronomer, made significant contributions to variable star research. As an active observer, he made some 91,000 visual estimates of a number of different variable stars. A Belgian national, he took refuge in England during World War 1. While there, de Roy became well enough known to later serve as Director of the BAA Variable Star Section for seventeen years. Through this office, and his connections with other organisations around the world, he encouraged others to pursue the observation of variable stars. Not merely content to accumulate observational data, de Roy also analysed the data and published numerous papers.