For some years, I have supplied "Variable of the Month" articles but perhaps the beginning of the year 2000 is a good time to pause and assess the value if any of the articles.

Response from readers over the years has been absolutely zero. This means that either the articles have been so perfect that no comment is possible or else that they are so trivial as to merit no comment. I have no quarrel with the lack of response - we all accept that with some exceptions, people join the Centre or read Canopus in order to be entertained and not to do any significant work. That is perfectly natural.

But one does need to know how to write the articles for maximum utility (or entertainment) value. The "General Catalogue of Variable Stars" contains well over 30 000 entries and it would be a simple matter to ask our esteemed Editor simply to cover them all in order of Right Ascension. This will take care of his needs for the next 2727 years, before starting on all the variables discovered from now on.

The "Variable of the Month" articles have, however, contained rather more than bare range, position and comparison star data. I have tried to cover a mix of different types, such as Miras, U Gems, RCrB's, EB's and novae. Stars were chosen to suit beginners in many cases. Where possible, I have tried to provide an interesting background or anecdote as well as practical observing hints. I have no idea whether these are of use to man or beast. What is needed now from Canopus readers is some feedback regarding the contents of the articles so that future ones can be made as reader friendly as possible.

Enjoy variable stars in the new Millennium whether at the eyepiece, CCD monitor screen or the depths of your armchair.

But enjoy!

Your ever variable,