Proposal #117

Many professional astronomers are studying TX PSC in sub-visible wavelengths. The star is of interest because it has just recently become a carbon star and it has an interesting circumstellar envelope which they can get good resolution on due to the star's relative closeness (275 pc). The star lacks consistent visual wavelength observations to go with all the IR and radio, which could be useful. There is decent coverage in Johnson V and a little in Johnson B, but almost no photometry in the R and I bands. The star is currently classified as a Lb-type, but there is some evidence that a period exist and the star is really a misclassified SRa or SRb. A JAAVSO article was written in 1997 suggesting a 220 day period. Looking at recent photometry in VSTAR, I found a possible 257 day period. I propose conducting observations in BVRI at 5-7 day intervals. This will help establish the star's color index (the star wasn't covered in APASS) and help determine if the star has a period and properly classify it. 2 years duration will comfortably capture 2 cycles. Besides the scientific goals, I plan to discuss the project as things occur and my lessons learned on the LPV forums to encourage members to engage the BSM to support their observing. I hope this covers what you need.
Thanks,
Rich Roberts (RRIA)