The Dworetsky1 string method for period analysis is an intuitively simple method. The observation data are folded on a series of trial periods and at each period the sum of the lengths of line segments joining successive points (the string-length) is calculated. Minima in a plot of string-length versus trial frequency indicate possible periods. The string-length method is especially useful if a very small number of randomly spaced observations are used. 


The Dworetsky dialog box is similar to the Lomb-Scargle dialog box. Prominent periods of the Period Window appear as valleys.


 

(1) Dworetsky, M.M., 1983, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 203, 917