This month, Canopus readers are treated to not one, not two but no less than nine variables. They are the probable eclipsing binaries DG Cet, DS Cet, AL Ari, FU Eri, V1125 Tau, V1366 Ori, UZ Vol, V365 Pup and V366 Pup. Full details and charts can be found in "A Treasure Trove of Variable Stars" on page 108 of the December Sky and Telescope.

The article explains how beginners can make the observations and what to do with them.

Here is a good opportunity to do some real science without having to be experienced, super accurate vs observers. I have been trying for 18 years to interest SA amateurs in eclipsing binary programmes without having much success. PEP specialists like Hugh Lund, Andre van Staden and Luciano Pazzi have done some work but a vast field is open to observers equipped with ordinary eyeball photometers.

Let me end by repeating that you only have to ask, in order to be given help in starting and by quoting the closing paragraph of the Sky and Telescope article: "Eclipsing binaries have played a crucial role in astronomers' understanding of the Universe. For example, the revolution period revealed by eclipses can be compared to the radial velocities of the components determined by spectroscopy. This information often makes it possible to deduce the diameters, masses and densities of the individual stars, even without necessarily knowing how far they are."

Have a happy Christmas and make this old curmudgeon happy by embarking on some serious scientific work.

Danie Overbeek.