What is the Best Strategy for Observing Variables?
It depends on your personal situation. Some observers look at a couple of dozen stars several times per month. Others concentrate on one class of variable. Some do all the variables in certain constellations only. A couple of observers with big telescopes observe only variables at minimum light because few other observers can see them. Work out how frequently you can observe, how faint you can see, and which bits of the sky are accessible to you. Then select a list of stars to observe. Certain classes of variables demand special strategies. Periodic variables in general need to be observed about ten times per period to define a meaningful lightcurve. Most eclipsing binaries require intensive observation during eclipses and little or no attention at other times. Dwarf novae and most eruptive variables require nightly observations.
