We are very happy to invite our members, observers, and friends to the 95th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Variable Star Observers. This meeting will be held in Newton, Massachusetts from October 26th to 28th, 2006. The AAVSO annual meeting gives both newcomers and longtime attendees the opportunity to share ideas, experiences, and tips on variable star observing. Attendees are also invited to visit the AAVSO Headquarters and to meet the AAVSO staff members. Attending the AAVSO annual meeting is an excellent way for the AAVSO members and observers to stay informed about the many activities and accomplishments of the Association.

We have many interesting events planned for this meeting, including: a workshop on working with Chandra X-ray data, a Friday night dinner and open house at AAVSO Headquarters, the AAVSO membership meeting, a scientific paper session, and our annual banquet and awards presentation.

Autumn is a beautiful time to visit New England. Bring your families and stay a few extra days to enjoy the sights! Whether you have attended dozens of AAVSO meetings or are a first-time attendee, we hope to see you in Newton for the 95th Annual Meeting of the AAVSO. It is sure to be an interesting and exciting weekend.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Chandra Workshop: Organized by longtime AAVSO member and science education expert, Donna Young, this Friday workshop will be comprised of both morning and afternoon sessions.

Morning: The Chandra X-Ray Observatory and AAVSO Collaboration

On September 14, 2000, triggered by alerts from amateur astronomers worldwide, Chandra observed the outburst of the brightest northern dwarf nova SS Cygni. The cooperation of hundreds of amateur variable star astronomers and the Chandra X-Ray scientists and spacecraft specialists provided proof that the collaboration of amateur and professional astronomers is a powerful tool to study cosmic phenomena. It is also a valuable educational tool. The behavior of many variable stars can be observed with the unaided eye, binoculars and/or telescopes by amateur observers. The Chandra X-Ray Observatory images many X-ray events, including many variable stars. Classroom-ready and web-based materials, based upon activities from Hands-On-Astrophysics and aligned to National Science Standards and Benchmarks, have been designed to show how scientists view, study, and examine variable stars. Participants will learn about the Chandra X-Ray mission, use some of the educational activities on spectroscopy, variable stars, and stellar evolution, critique, contribute, and give suggestions after viewing the most recent developments in converting Hands-On-Astrophysics to a web format, and learn about the activities, materials, and resources available to present variable stars to peers, the public, and/or education audiences.

Afternoon: The Chandra X-Ray Observatory Data Analysis Software, Resources & Activities

Educators, students, amateur astronomers and the general public can download and install a set of sophisticated tools, and access public archives of observational data to investigate and analyze supernovae, binary stars, pulsars, galaxies and galaxy clusters. The DS9 image and data analysis software can be downloaded into a Mac, Windows, or Linux environment. The analysis commands are executed at a dedicated server farm at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts - transforming any operating system into a virtual Linux machine. Any FITS file can be dropped into the DS9 imagining software, which allows comparisons among visible, IR, UV, radio and X-ray emissions for the same object. Besides basic tools - color, scales, contrast, bias, and pixel values, the analysis tools include radial profiles, light curves and period folding, energy and spectra distribution plots and histograms. DS9 can be used to study the distribution of important signature elements involved in supernovae explosions — including oxygen, silicon, neon, iron, nickel, and magnesium — in supernovae remnants. The software tools can be used to construct both element abundances and spatial distributions. From this information, the geometry of the collapse and the type of core left behind in the center of the remnant (pulsar, magnetar, black hole, or no core) and therefore the mass of the progenitor star can be determined. Data sets from the Chandra Observatory can also be used with the light curve and period folding tools to determine if two objects could be white dwarfs or neutron stars. Participants will be able to download, install, and use DS9 on their own laptops.

Dinner and Open House: All attendees are invited to attend an open house and buffet dinner at AAVSO Headquarters on Friday night, October 27th. Staff members will be present to answer questions and assist with the use of the AAVSO International Database. Please note that this evening will be the only time AAVSO Headquarters will be open for touring during the meeting.

Membership Meeting: All attendees are invited to this gathering, which will be held from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, October 28th. The purpose of this meeting is to inform attendees of the activities of the Association, and will include reports from the Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Chairs, and the Director.

Scientific Paper Session: Members and friends are invited to present papers on variable stars and related topics. Papers will be presented on Saturday afternoon, October 28th. Timeslots will range from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on amount of time requested and the number of papers submitted. Those planning to present papers at this meeting should complete and return the enclosed abstract form no later than October 16th, 2006. Authors with email access are encouraged to send the information requested on the abstract form electronically to: meetings@aavso.org

Annual Banquet and Award Presentation: The Annual Banquet will be held at the Sheraton Newton Hotel on the evening of Saturday, October 28th. It will be preceded by a cash bar and followed by an awards presentation. The banquet will feature a choice of lemon thyme chicken, grilled salmon, or tri-color pasta with tomatoes and basil.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Sleeping rooms have been reserved for AAVSO meeting attendees (at special group rates) at the Sheraton Newton Hotel. This hotel is very conveniently located just off of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) at exit 17 — approximately a 15-minute drive from Logan International Airport. Complimentary overnight parking and in-room high speed internet have been negotiated for attendees who choose to stay at the Sheraton during the meeting.

Please note that the room reservation deadlines are quickly approaching and rooms go very quickly during foliage season, so please make your reservations as soon as possible.

Sheraton Newton Hotel, 320 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02458
The following rates have been obtained for meeting attendees:
         $95.00 (US funds) per night, single or double occupancy
         (9.7% room tax not included)

Please make reservations by calling the Sheraton Newton at 1-617-969-3010 before October 4th, 2006. Please be sure to mention that you will be participating in the AAVSO meeting when making your room reservations.

LOOKING FOR A ROOMMATE? Anyone interested in sharing a room during the meeting should complete the roommate section of the registration form. We will collect this information and then forward the list, including contact information, to everyone in need of a roommate. We cannot guarantee that there will be a match for everyone, but this could be a useful way to help cut meeting costs.

REGISTRATION

Please return the registration form along with payment in US funds no later than October 16th, 2006. After this date the early registration rate will no longer be available and some functions may be sold out. Please send your form and payment to: AAVSO, 25 Birch St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. The registration form will also be posted on the AAVSO web page.

TRANSPORTATION

A map with driving directions will be mailed to all meeting registrants.

A list of local restaurants and local busses/shuttles for sightseeing will be a part of your on-site registration packet.

Transportation will be provided between the Sheraton Newton Hotel and AAVSO Headquarters for the Friday night open house. All other meeting events will be held at the hotel.

Rental Car: Below is a list of the eight rental car agencies that operate out of Logan Airport and their toll-free phone numbers.

Knight's Airport Shuttle Service: Shuttle service every 30 minutes by appointment. Reserve on line at www.knightslimo.com or call 24hrs 1-800-822-5456. 1 passenger $28 or 2 passengers $46 (one-way).