Software

Included in the HOA materials are three software programs. All programs are written for the PC (Macintosh software is not available at this time).

HOAFUN

This program is a simple visual introduction to variable star light curves, including displays of light curves of several types of variables. There is also a variable star observing game that will acquaint the novice with the steps involved in making and recording observations.

• We have two screen shots available.

VSTAR

This very powerful data plotting and analysis program uses observations from the official AAVSO database or the students' own variable star observations to plot eight curves and perform student-directed data analysis. VSTAR helps students interact visually with the variable star dates and their analysis of them.

Screenshot of VSTAR

HOAENTER

This data entry program allows students to input their own observations and see how they compare with the rest of the information in the database.