Time Series Tutorials & Resources

Data that covers multiple observations over a period of time is often referred to as time series data. Analysis of variable star data usually involves time series analysis because the observations are of a single star and spread out over a long time span.

One of the key goals of Citizen Sky is to teach participants how to analyse data - either your own or data contributed by other participants. We have three main projects underway to do this:

• Online time series tutorials:  Dr. Matthew Templeton, staff astronomer at the AAVSO, has written a basic introduction to time series analysis: an HTML version is available here and a PowerPoint version here. Our plan is to use that content as the central nugget of a larger tutorial we'll develop here at Citizen Sky. The tutorial will involve video, walk-throughs, Q/A's, chat transcripts, etc. It will be formatted as an informal "course" on time series analysis with a certification for those who complete it.
• 5-Star Analysis Tutorial: This tutorial shows you the basics of how to view data using a free program called VStar. It covers looking at light curves and different ways to search for periodicity in the data. It is designed for the complete novice.
• Data Analysis Workshop: In the spring of 2010 the second Citizen Sky workshop was held at the California Academies of Science in San Francisco. The workshop focused on data analysis and writing up results in scientific papers. As with the first workshop, a limited number of travel grants were available. The full workshop was recorded and placed online for those who cannot attend.
• New Data Analysis Software (VStar): A team of Citizen Sky participants is working with AAVSO staff to create a JAVA program for time series analysis called VStar. A first version of the software is available. The program will has an easy-to-use GUI and point-and-click interface and all the basic analysis tools you'll need for simple time series analysis of variable star data. And it is free and open source! If you would like to help contribute, visit its SourceForge page here.
• Data Analysis Forum: Feel free to post questions in our online forum dedicated to discussion of data analysis!