Three stage period analysis and complementary methods

¹ Observatory, P.O. Box 14, University of Helsinki, FIN–00014, Finland
² NORDITA, Blegdamsvej 17, DK–2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
³ Tartu Observatory, 61602 Tõravere, Estonia
⁴ Institute of Theoretical Physics, P.O. Box 1029, Blindern, N–0315, Oslo, Norway

Received: 8 June 1998
Accepted: 6 August 1999

Abstract

We generalize the multistage period search and analysis method for the case when the data error estimates (i.e. statistical weights) are available. Adjustment of model parameters allows us to detect complex wave forms in noisy data. Complementary statistical tests are also presented to estimate the significance of the detected periodicities, to verify the modelling reliability, and to separate real periodicities from spurious ones. The application of these methods is illustrated on different samples of real photometric data.