AAVSO course: "Classification of Variable Stars and Light Curves" in French...
Between 2020 and 2025, I had the opportunity to offer the AAVSO course, "Variable Classification of Stars and Light Curves," in French.
The only course the AAVSO has ever offered in French.
The course is no longer available until further notice...
https://www.aavso.org/choice-astronomy
https://www.aavso.org/product/125
I first took this course in 2016, and it was a revelation!
I never saw stars the same way again.
The goal of this course is to explore the types of stars observed by AAVSO observers.
It's a foundational course, as it involves creating a base upon which to build follow-ups, observations, and "SEE STARS DIFFERENTLY."
So, over four weeks, we will explore four chapters:
- The first chapter will cover stars: how and when we realized they vary, why, who discovered them, and how.
We'll also cover nomenclature and the astronomical catalogs that list them. Then we'll begin with basic classifications like intrinsic and extrinsic groups.
- The second chapter concerns binaries.
Let's be clear: over 80% of the stars in the sky are binaries, and their light curves and types depend on the mass and types of stars they contain.
The distance between them, as well as the angle at which they are exposed to us, will influence their light curves.
- The third chapter concerns pulsating and eruptive stars. Cepheids, RR Lyrae, W Virginis, RV Tauri—so many types, distinguished by their metabolisms as well as their processes.
Regarding eruptive stars, we will explore their genesis, starting with the cloud of their primary nebulae that collapses to form this new protostar, through all its phases before the main sequence.
- The fourth chapter will be devoted to the end of stars: supernovae, cataclysmic events, gravitational jumps, magnetars, and more.
There's actually so much material that a fifth week is planned to answer outstanding questions and tie everything up.
To help me with this task, astrophysicists have kindly agreed to collaborate with me to better answer questions and be available for more specific ones.
This is also the only course offered by AAVSO in French!
Jean-Bruno Desrosiers (JBD)
