For variable stars up to magnitude 4 the naked eye can be used but from magnitudes 4 to 8 binoculars are needed. This guide for amateurs explains the type of eq... » 

For variable stars up to magnitude 4 the naked eye can be used but from magnitudes 4 to 8 binoculars are needed. This guide for amateurs explains the type of equipment needed to go fainter than magnitude 9 and the charts needed to locate such objects. «