SXN's blog
Where Do Observer Codes Come From?
Since the very beginning, AAVSO observers have been assigned observer codes. These letter combinations are used to identify the individuals who have submitted data to the database for a number of reasons. For better or worse, once you have been assigned an observer code it is yours forever.
Weekend In New England
DAY 3: NEAF
The day broke ugly and turned worse with a hard rain and a chill wind. This was actually good news for the NEAF organizers. Bad weather drives attendance up. NEAF was packed!
If you have never attended the Northeast Astronomy Forum and Telescope Show (NEAF) it's hard to understand what all the buzz is really all about. But once you've seen telescopes and astronomy equipment on display as far as you can see in an auditorium this size you'll never forget. I always lose my breath for a minute and then have to resisit the urge to just go running and screaming down the aisles like a little kid let loose in the biggest candy store ever. Continue Reading
The Martin Bruce Berry Telescope
In December, 2010, Richard Berry donated appreciated stocks valued at almost $7000.00 to the AAVSO to commission another Bright Star Monitor survey telescope and asked that it be named in honor of his brother Martin Bruce Berry. Continue Reading
Charts, Charts, Charts...
Every few years or so, the dining room table in my house becomes “AAVSO Variable Star Charts Central”. The centerpiece, placemats and silverware are put away, and in their place are three ring binders, plastic page protectors and stacks of paper charts. The printer in my office gets a workout, and I become a regular at the office supply store, buying ink, paper and other supplies as the project progresses.Another Stellar Volunteer
In December 2010, the question was asked on aavso-photometry why the Landolt standard stars were not included in VSP. I explained what it would take to get this done and answered that the reason it hadn't been done yet was because it wasn't a staff priority at the moment, but if a volunteer were willing to do some of the heavy lifting I would help get the data into VSP.
My response ended with, "I guess the other way to answer your question is- because you haven't done it yet!"
The Story Behind the Photometrica Name Change
Some of you may have noticed that we changed the name of the Photometrica software and are wondering what happened. Others are asking, what is Photometrica software? No worries, I have all the answers for you. Continue Reading
The Italian Connection
Most people familiar with the history of the AAVSO know about our 'French Connection', the long friendship and history of cooperation between the AAVSO and the AFOEV. But we have even longer and deeper ties to our variable star observing friends in Italy. In fact, our 'Italian Connection' goes back to before the AAVSO was born. Continue Reading
Behind the Scenes with the Chart Team
It's been another year of incredible activity from the charts and sequences team. Together they have revised or created hundreds of new sequences for AAVSO charts in the past twelve months. I can't tell you enough about how much work these guys do for the AAVSO. I can tell you a little about who they are. Continue Reading
Happy Birthday, AAVSO!
Today is a very special day in AAVSO history. October 10, 2010 is our 99th birthday. Although there was no ceremony or parade to mark the occasion, the first published Monthly Report of the American Association of Variable Star Observers appeared in the December 1911 issue of Popular Astronomy, and contained observations from October 10, 1911 to November 10, 1911.
It was a very busy month last week
Some weeks just fly past you. Friday comes and you wonder, "What happened to Wednesday and Thursday?" This was another one of those weeks.
I arrived in Cambridge late Sunday night and slogged into headquarters Monday morning in what can only be described as a miserable, relentless, pouring rain. The precipitation pounding on the roof of HQ provided the backdrop to numerous meetings, brainstorming sessions, projects and activities. Continue Reading
