VarStar Detect: a Python library for the semi-automatic detection of stellar variability

Abstract

VarStar Detect is a Python package available on PyPI optimized for the detection of variable stars using photometric measurements. Based on the method of the Least Squares regression, VarStar Detect calculates the amplitude of a trigonometric polynomial data fit as a measure of variability to assess whether the star is indeed variable. In this work, we present the mathematical background of the package and an analysis of the code's functionality based on TESS Sector 1 Data Release.