Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 139, 629-643
L. Jetsu 1,2 and J. Pelt 3,4
Send offprint request: jetsu@gstar.astro.helsinki.fi
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 June 8, 1998; accepted August 6, 1999
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.
Key words: methods: numerical; data analysis; statistical
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