Monitoring survey of pulsating giant stars in the Local Group galaxies:
  survey description, science goals, target selection
  The population of nearby dwarf galaxies in the Local Group constitutes a
complete galactic environment, perfect suited for studying the connection
between stellar populations and galaxy evolution. In this study, we are
conducting an optical monitoring survey of the majority of dwarf galaxies in
the Local Group, with the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT), to identify long period
variable stars (LPVs). These stars are at the end points of their evolution and
therefore their luminosity can be directly translated into their birth masses;
this enables us to reconstruct the star formation history. By the end of the
monitoring survey, we will have performed observations over ten epochs, spaced
approximately three months apart, and identified long period, dust-producing
AGB stars; five epochs of data have been obtained already. LPVs are also the
main source of dust; in combination with Spitzer Space Telescope images at
mid-IR wavelengths we will quantify the mass loss, and provide a detailed map
of the mass feedback into the interstellar medium. We will also use the
amplitudes in different optical passbands to determine the radius variations of
the stars, and relate this to their mass loss.
