Bright Star Monitor member participation

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Thu, 09/06/2018 - 21:03

SUBJECT: Bright Star Monitor member participation

The AAVSO operates a global network of five, small robotically controlled, CCD equipped, telescopes.  These scopes support a full complement of filters and are capable of precision photometry in the range of 3 to 13 magnitudes in the V filter.  The network has been in operation for several years performing several major photometric surveys. Recently a decision has been made to promote an increase member use of the network.  All members, including the visual observer, are welcome to participate in an initial roll-out of this program this fall without going through the normal proposal approval process.  There is no cost to participate for members. We are looking for an intial group of six.  Each participant can provide their own targets of interest. Mentors are available to assist the observer in plan preparation, image analysis using the AAVSO VPHOT analysis software and in the data submittal.  Please respond to this post if you have an interest in participating and I will answer questions and fill in additional details.  

Clear Skies,

Mike

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Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Hi Mike!

Hi Mike!

Did you ever receive interest in this awesome educational proposal?  I see your post was just over a year ago.

While I have some of my own equipment I don't have a permanent setup and honestly just don't have the time required to do my own observations nightly.

I would personally love a CHOICE course that was spefically on photometery utilizing the AAVSOnet scopes combined with how to use VPHOT on those acquired images.  Essentially a "no personal equipment needed" scenario and also at a New to photometry level similar to the CCD I course.

While I'm quite interested in contributing to Variable Star observing I'm very interested in the possiblity of using the AAVSOnet scopes in Exoplanet Observing.  I would assume the AAVSOnet scopes would be good for this especially since the equipment far surpasses mine by orders of magnitude (sorry, had to toss in that old cliche!).  The only possible issue I can think of is monopolizing time on the scope as in reading Denni Conti's PDF he says typical transit times are 2-4 hrs and observing needs to start 30 min prior and continue 30 min after to establish out-of-transit baselines.

Please let me know if this educational outreach was fruitful or if it might be better for me to request a mentor.

Regards,

Wayne