The Digital Press

Astronomers conducted an optical survey to identify long-period variable stars in IC10, the closest starburst galaxy in the Local Group. They compiled a large photometric catalog and successfully detected many known variables, confirming the effectiveness of their method.

Why it matters: Identifying LPVs in IC10 helps understand stellar evolution in a nearby starburst environment.

The big picture: This is the first detailed optical variability survey of IC10, providing a valuable dataset for future studies.

Stunning stat: The survey recovered about 73% of Spitzer sources and identified 43% of Spitzer variable stars in IC10.

Quick takeaway: The photometric catalog and methodology are publicly available, aiding ongoing research on IC10’s variable stars.