observing

Complete Manual - Manual para Observação Visual de Estrelas Variáveis (8.2 MB)
Published 1 September 2011

Sections:

The list below shows the International Astronomical Union (IAU) conventions for constellation names. Given for each constellation is the Latin name, nominative and genitive, as well as the approved three-letter abbreviation. The abbreviation is what is generally used in AAVSO applications.

AAVSO finder charts for some of these constellations may be found here.

A citizen science project running for over 100 years reached a key milestone this month when an amateur astronomer contributed the 20 millionth observation of a variable star on February 19, 2011.

January 11, 2011: Dr. Kirill Sokolovsky (Max-Planck-Institut fuer Radioastronomie, Bonn) has requested the assistance of AAVSO observers to obtain optical photometry of the blazar-type quasars 3C 273 and 3C 279 during 2011. The observations obtained by AAVSO observers will be combined with multiwavelength observations - from radio to gamma-rays - as well as with very long baseline interferometry with the VLBA to obtain a better picture of what these objects are and how they vary.

For more information please contact AAVSO Headquarters (aavso@aavso.org)

Update of AAVSO Supernova Search Committee Web page November 1999 by the Rev. Robert Evans, then Committee Chair

The original web page for the AAVSO Supernova Search Committee contains a range of materials, including the text of the AAVSO Supernova Search Manual, and several other items of news about aspects of amateur supernova research.

For more information contact AAVSO Headquarters (aavso@aavso.org)

Page under construction; updated information and links coming soon.

Nova Hunter's Handbook

Search Area Location Chart

The American Association of Variable Star Observers
Nova Search Section
Search Area Location Chart

Search area location charts will help you organize your nova search observing program. Each area is numbered and represents an area of the Milky Way whose dimensions are approximately 10 degrees of declination by one hour of right ascension. Use these charts to document areas of the heavens you are searching.

Nova Hunter's Handbook

The following article is a reprint from the Journal of the AAVSO, Vol. 7, No. 2. We acknowledge and thank the editor of the Journal of the AAVSO for graciously allowing us to reprint this article for the benefit of our observers and readers.

Peter L. Collins
Mt. Hopkins Observatory
Tucson, AZ 85721

Abstract

Nova Hunter's Handbook

The following article is a reprint from the Journal of the AAVSO, Vol. 10, No. 1, 25, 1981. We acknowledge and thank the editor of the Journal of the AAVSO for graciously allowing us to reprint this article for the benefit of our observers and readers. Kenneth C. Beckmann
201 West Springfield
Union, Missouri 63084

Abstract