Variable Star Charts

AAVSO charts show areas of the sky which contain one or more variable stars. These charts are used to find and to make observations of variable stars. There are different types and scales of AAVSO star charts which show a particular variable star and the stars around it at different levels of detail. While all charts are designed to help an observer locate specific variable stars, some charts are meant to be used for making observations with the unaided eye, and other charts are designed for use with binoculars or telescopes of various sizes.

There are a total of 45 charts included in the HOA materials. There are 5 large-scale constellation finder charts to help locate the HOA constellations and the general location of variable stars, and there are a series of 11 a-scale, 2 aa-scale, 11 b-scale, 5 c-scale, 9 d-scale, 2 e-scale and 5 constellation charts which show the locations of the following 15 variable stars and give the locations and magnitudes of the comparison stars: R Aur, RT Aur, chi Cyg, W Cyg, X Cyg, U Cyg, R UMa, S UMa, Z UMa, T Cep, S Cep, delta Cep, U Cep, R Cas, and V Cas.

Instructions for using AAVSO charts are also included in the HOA materials. If you are interested in obtaining more AAVSO variable star charts, there is a form provided where you can order more, or you may order the Charts CD-ROM which includes thousands of AAVSO standard, preliminary, reversed, CCD, and constellation finder charts. You may also find it worthwhile to browse the AAVSO charts section of the website.