The GCVS is the only reference source on all known variable stars. This version contains all of the electronically-readable version as distributed by the Sternberg Astronomical Institute and Institute of Astronomy (Russian Acad.Sci.), Moscow. It includes the catalog of variable stars, updated and completed with the seven Name-Lists of Variables Stars Nos.67-73 (see IBVS No.2681,1985; No.3058,1987; No.3323,1989; No.3530,1990; No.3840,1993; No.4140,1995; No.4471,1997), a catalog of suspected variables, a cross-index of variable star names, a catalog of extragalactic variables, and a catalog of supernovae. Introduction: The present improved electronic version of the GCVS4 Volumes I-V, combined with Name-Lists of Variable Stars Nos.67-73, are also available from Sternberg Institute via anonymous ftp to ftp.sai.msu.su, /pub/groups/cluster/gcvs... and via http://www.sai.msu.su/groups/cluster/gcvs/ . The information at this site is regularly updated (corrections of detected mistakes, improvements of identifications and coordinates, etc.). gcvs.dat is the combined computer-readable version of the GCVS4 Vols. I-III (Kholopov et al. 1985-1988) and Name-Lists of Variable Stars Nos.67-73 (1985IBVS.2681....1K, 1987IBVS.3058....1K, 1989IBVS.3323....1K, 1990IBVS.3530....1K, 1993IBVS.3840....1K, 1995IBVS.4140....1K and 1997IBVS.4471....1K) published in the system introduced during the preparation of the 4th GCVS edition. The total number of designated variable stars has now reached 31918; of them, 3506 stars enter the Name-Lists Nos.67-73. Errors detected in the printed Volumes I-III and in the Name-Lists were corrected; the file includes also improved equatorial positions for some variable stars. crossid.dat contains all variables, including extragalactic variables, stars from the Name-Lists, and stars suspected of variability since the compilation of the NSV catalog, ordered by right ascension (B1950). The authors tried to provide as complete lists as possible for the stars identified with the catalogues HD, BD, CoD, CPD, BS, ADS and for the stars with preliminary HV (Harvard Variable) designations. As for the other catalogues, their task here was more difficult since they had to rely upon references to source catalogue names made by variable star researchers; the tables in the present volume reproduce the materials used in their work, and incompleteness seems to be unavoidable. Starting with Name-List No.71, the identifications became more reliable and complete thanks to special effort of the compilers. The final, fifth volume contains data for variables in external galaxies (including the Magellanic Clouds) and for extragalactic supernovae (see evs.dat and sn.dat). All variables in the present data set are arranged in the order of their names inside constellations. For Name-list stars, the information follows the format of the Name-Lists, that is, it includes only coordinates, the variability type, the range of brightness variations, and references. The file nsv.dat is a compilation of 14811 stars suspected of variability and not finally designated as variables prior to 1980. It is the successor to the "Catalogues of Stars Suspected of Variability" published in 1951 and 1965 (Kukarkin et al.). Data contained in the present catalog include positions, magnitudes, variability types, alternate designations, and references to the literature. The computer version of NSV contains principally the same data as in the printed catalog, but only the data table without the textual material (bibliography, remarks) is included. Necessary corrections were introduced, as of June, 1997, and coordinates were improved, compared to the printed version, for about half of the stars in the catalog. The Sternberg Institute has started preparation of an electronic release GCVS 4.2 which will contain improved light elements, classifications etc. along with sufficiently accurate positional information. The first approach to this project has resulted in improved equatorial positions (B1950, J2000) for variable stars in the constellations of Andromeda, Antlia and Apus including the stars from the GCVS proper plus the stars from the subsequent Name-lists, with a new standard of positional accuracy, to 1 second of arc (IAU Inform. Bull. Var. Stars, in preparation). These positions have been incorporated in the present data set.

Cone search capability for table II/214A/gcvs (Combined GCVS (vols I-III and name lists))

Cone search capability for table II/214A/evs_cat (Extragalactic Variable Stars. Catalogue)

Cone search capability for table II/214A/sn_cat (Extragalactic supernovae. Catalogue)

Cone search capability for table II/214A/nsv (*Suspected variables)