Deep multi-survey classification of variable stars

TL;DR

This paper introduces a scalable deep learning model based on convolutional neural networks for classifying variable stars from light curves, effectively handling differences in survey data without extensive calibration.

Contribution

The work presents a novel CNN architecture that processes raw light curve differences and a new data augmentation method for uneven sampling, enabling scalable and survey-independent classification.

Findings

Achieves state-of-the-art accuracy on multiple survey datasets

Handles variations in cadence and filters without calibration

Demonstrates scalability for large astronomical data sets

Abstract

During the last decade, a considerable amount of effort has been made to classify variable stars using different machine learning techniques. Typically, light curves are represented as vectors of statistical descriptors or features that are used to train various algorithms. These features demand big computational powers that can last from hours to days, making impossible to create scalable and efficient ways of automatically classifying variable stars. Also, light curves from different surveys cannot be integrated and analyzed together when using features, because of observational differences. For example, having variations in cadence and filters, feature distributions become biased and require expensive data-calibration models. The vast amount of data that will be generated soon make necessary to develop scalable machine learning architectures without expensive integration techniques. Convolutional Neural Networks have shown impressing results in raw image classification and representation within the machine learning literature. In this work, we present a novel Deep Learning model for light curve classification, mainly based on convolutional units. Our architecture receives as input the differences between time and magnitude of light curves. It captures the essential classification patterns regardless of cadence and filter. In addition, we introduce a novel data augmentation schema for unevenly sampled time series. We test our method using three different surveys: OGLE-III; Corot; and VVV, which differ in filters, cadence, and area of the sky. We show that besides the benefit of scalability, our model obtains state of the art levels accuracy in light curve classification benchmarks.