Cepheids and Long Period Variables in M 33

We are conducting a long‐term photometric survey of the nearby galaxy M 33 to discover Cepheids, eclipsing binaries, and long‐period variables. The dataset combines previously‐obtained optical images from the DIRECT project with new observations acquired at the WIYN 3.5 m telescope. The entire data set spans over 7 years with excellent synoptic coverage which will enable the discovery and characterization of stars displaying variability over a wide range of timescales (days, weeks, months, years).In this preliminary work we show representative light curves of different variables we found so far in two fields, color‐magnitude diagrams, and optical Cepheid Period‐Luminosity relations for M 33. The ultimate goal of the project is to provide an absolute calibration of the Cepheid Period‐Luminosity relation, and to study its metallicity dependence at optical wavelengths.