# Little Bear's Pulsating Stars: Variable Star Census of dSph UMi Galaxy

## TL;DR

This study presents new observations and a catalog of variable stars in the Ursa Minor dwarf spheroidal galaxy, aiming to update the variable star census and compare RR Lyrae properties across Local Group dSph galaxies.

## Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive variable star catalog for UMi dSph, including new candidates and classifications, based on recent photometric observations.

## Key findings

- Identification of known RR Lyrae stars in UMi dSph.
- Discovery of new variable star candidates.
- Comparison of RR Lyrae properties with other Local Group dSph galaxies.

## Abstract

Recent observations and a photometric search for variable stars in the Ursa Minor dwarf spheroidal galaxy (UMi dSph) are presented. Our observations were taken at Apache Point Observatory in 2014 and 2016 using the 0.5m ARCSAT telescope and the West Mountain Observatory 0.9m telescope of Brigham Young University in 2016. Previously known RR Lyrae stars in our field of view of the UMi dSph are identified, and we also catalog new variable star candidates. Tentative classifications are given for some of the new variable stars. We have conducted period searches with the data collected with the WMO telescope. Our ultimate goal is to create an updated catalog of variable stars in the UMi dSph and to compare the RR Lyrae stellar characteristics to other RR Lyrae stars found in the Local Group dSph galaxies.