On the Quality of WET Time

Abstract

The goal of the WET collaboration is to produce a photometric light curve as continuous and accurate as possible, given the weather and technical constraints. In order to join light curves from different observers, it is important that all observer’s clocks are accurately synchronised with Universal Time, and with a precision substantially better than one second. This requires vigilance and careful checking by the observer, who needs to be familiar with the instrument and how the integration intervals are determined. This is in particular important with the introduction of the more complex CCD photometers. Ideally each observer should have access to their own time source, and a GPS solution is recommended. It is also important that the information about timing peculiarities are carefully checked and recorded and passed on to the data analysts.

Keywords

• instrumentation
• continuous photometry
• timing accuracy
• synchronisation