John R. Percy » Graduate Faculty

I use variable stars to study the nature and evolution of stars. My current interest centers on

pulsating red giants and supergiants, which represent the semi-final stages of stars’ lives, and are poorly-understood, compared with other variable star types.  I use archival data, especially from the

American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), which stretches back for a century or more, edit the Journal of the AAVSO, and otherwise facilitate the contributions of skilled amateurs to

variable star research. I am also engaged in a wide variety of astronomy education and outreach projects.

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