96th Spring Meeting of the AAVSO
with the RASC and ALPO
"Astronomy Roundup 2007"
Calgary, Alberta Canada
June 28 - July 3 2007

Meeting Highlights

Group Picture of "Astronomy Roundup 2007" which included AAVSO, RASC, and ALPO

Abstract list with powerpoint presentations Photo Gallery Slideshow Photos courtesy Tim Crawford and Vance Petriew. Director's Report by Arne Henden (powerpoint) Variable Star Observations: Past, Present and Future (powerpoint) - by Arne Henden

Meeting Memories

By Mike Koppelman

I returned recently from the AAVSO spring meeting in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was a smaller meeting, in terms of attendance by AAVSO members, probably due to the fact that Americans seem to think Canada is a long, long ways away and is inhabited by blood drinking cannibals who say the word "about" funny. Or not. I don't know.

In any case 2 or 3 dozen AAVSO members managed to infiltrate the meeting, which was a joint meeting with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) and the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO). The meeting was held on the campus of the University of Calgary, which is a very nice, green and sunny place. So sunny, in fact, that twilight lasts until twilight!

From my myopic perspective, the highlight of the meeting was the usual: hanging out, drinking beer and talking astronomy with old and new friends. A close second was the scientific paper session, which had interesting talks by many experienced folks, both professional and amateur. The invited talks were also very interesting, ranging from aurora to supernova remnants to pretty pictures by the Hubble Space Telescope.

The joint meetings have both pros and cons, in my humble opinion. It is fun to meet amateur astronomers with different interests and experiences. I met many fine folks from the RASC, for example. The drawback was that the meeting was dominated by the RASC, as RASC attendees outnumbered AAVSO attendees by a 10 to 1, resulting in less focus on the AAVSO.

On balance, though, it was a fine meeting, with many laughs and many plots, equations and discussions of stellar physics. Perhaps someday in the future, when continental drift has brought the US and Canada closer together, we can reconvene with our friends to the North with a denser population of VSO dorks. In keeping with tradition, Gerry will buy the beer (Thanks, Gerry!).

Kudos to the RASC and the AAVSO for a enjoyable and informative meeting. See you in England in '08!

—Michael Koppelman

The 96th Spring Meeting of the AAVSO will be held in conjunction with the 2007 General Assembly of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers 60th Annual Meeting. We have named this joint conference "Astronomy Roundup 2007." This is sure to be an exciting and interesting event!

To be held on the campus of the University of Calgary, events include optional workshops as well as paper and poster sessions hosted by members of the AAVSO, RASC, and ALPO. Optional tours include a visit to the University's Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, a Meteorite Lab and two full-day tours: the Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary and Tyrrell Museum Badlands tour; and the Looking for Mars in the Canadian Rockies tour.

Keynote speakers include Ray Villard, News Chief from the Space Telescope Science Institute, who will deliver a public lecture entitled "Hubble Space Telescope's Legacy." Our Banquet speaker will be Dr. Eric Donovan who will share his experiences as lead scientist for the Canadian part of the THEMIS project which examines how and why electromagnetic storms (and those beautiful Northern Lights!) are triggered.

So mark June 28 to July 3 on your calendar and plan to attend Astronomy Roundup 2007. This will be a great opportunity to meet and learn from fellow colleagues in the ALPO, the RASC and the AAVSO.

Visit the Astronomy Roundup 2007 website to register and for more information on accommodations and events. http://calgary.rasc.ca/ar2007

We hope to see you in Calgary!