Period variations for the Cepheid VZ Cyg

However, numerous Cepheids are known to undergo period variations. Monitoring, refining, and understanding these period variations allows us to better determine the parameters of the Cepheids themselves and of the instability strip in which they reside, and to test models of stellar evolution.

VZ Cyg, a classical Cepheid pulsating at ~4.864 days, has been observed for over 100 years. Combining data from literature observations, the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) transit survey, and new targeted observations with the Robotically Controlled Telescope (RCT) at Kitt Peak, we find a period change rate of dP/dt=-0.0642+/-0.0018 s/yr. However, when only the recent observations are examined, we find a much higher period change rate of dP/dt=-0.0923+/-0.0110 s/yr.