NASA Resources
- Cepheid Variables
Information about Cepheid Variables (stars that brighten and dim periodically)
- Introduction to Cataclysmic Variables (CVs)
Information about cataclysmic variables (binary star systems that have a white dwarf and a normal star companion)
- Introduction to Light Curves
Information about light curves (graphs that show the brightness of an object over a period of time)
- General Catalog of Variable Stars (GCVS), March 2017 Version
A reference source on all known variable stars
Other Example Resources
- Kepler Space Telescope
Information about and data from NASA’s Kepler mission
- Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
Information about and data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite mission
European Space Agency (ESA)
- ESA Science & Technology - Variable stars in Hubble's sky
Animation showing a patch of sky with variable stars, as observed by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope
- Gaia Data Release 3 Overview
Information about and data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission
- Excerpt from Gaia Early Data Release 3 Documentation, 2.2.4 Variability
Information on variability from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission
Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
- Background - MOST Space Telescope (Canada)
The Microvariability and Oscillation of Stars (MOST) Space Telescope measures oscillation in light intensity of stars in order to determine their composition as well as age. This page provides an overview of the mission.
- MOST Space Telescope Dataset
Data from the MOST Space Telescope, which measures oscillation in light intensity of stars.
- Background - BRITE Satellite Constellation
The Bright Target Explorer (BRITE) Constellation measures the brightness variations of a large number of bright stars. This page provides an overview of the mission.
- BRITE Dataset
Data from the BRITE mission, which measures brightness variations of a large number of bright stars.
Challenge
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
