Variable stars observed with the AST3-1 telescope from dome A of antarctica

TL;DR

This paper reports on the observation of 29 variable stars, including 22 newly discovered, using the AST3-1 telescope in Antarctica, highlighting the site’s excellent conditions for astronomical research.

Contribution

First detailed analysis of variable stars observed with the AST3-1 telescope in Antarctica, including discovery of new variables and characterization of their properties.

Findings

29 variable stars identified, including 22 new discoveries

Eclipsing binaries and pulsating stars characterized

Orbital periods and light curves determined for eclipsing binaries

Abstract

Dome A in the Antarctic plateau is likely one of the best astronomical observing sites on Earth. The first one of three Antarctic Survey Telescope (AST3-1), a 50/68 cm Schmidt-like equatorial-mount telescope, is the first trackable telescope of China operating in Antarctica and the biggest telescope located in Antarctic inland. AST3-1 obtained huge amounts of data in 2012 and we processed the time-series parts. Here we present light curves of 29 variable stars identified from ten-day observations in 2012 with AST3-1, including 22 newly discovered variable stars. 23 of them are eclipsing binaries and the others are pulsating stars. We present the properties of the 29 variable stars, including the classifications, periods and magnitude ranges in i band. For the 17 eclipsing binaries, the phased light curves are presented with the orbital period values well determined.