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Amateur Support of HST Observations is a Success!
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| HST in orbit (Credit: NASA)
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The campaign described in AAVSO Alert
Notice #361 has now concluded, and the Hubble Space Telescope has
conducted all of the planned observations of SDSS091908. For
the third time this season, AAVSO observers world-wide have helped to
make HST observations possible by monitoring these enigmatic CVs and
ensuring they were in quiescence -- and thus safe to observe by HST's
powerful instrumentation. SDSS091908 was the third cataclysmic variable
with a pulsating white dwarf primary observed as part of a major
research effort by Dr.
Paula Szkody (U. Washington) and collaborators. This is the last of
these objects to be observed with HST in 2007; the remaining three (of
six total) will be observed in 2008, and more Alert Notices will be
forthcoming.
Paula Szkody and the AAVSO extend our thanks to all observers who helped
to make HST observations of SDSS091908 (and SDSS074545 and PQ Andromedae)
a success -- they couldn't have happened without you!
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| Artists' conception of a dwarf nova. (Image credit: A. Beardmore, University of Leicester, UK)
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This final campaign on SDSS091908 is particularly noteworthy as the
supporting observations were made almost entirely by amateur observers,
using telescopes world-wide. One particular observing program,
conducted by former AAVSO President Bill Dillon, really exemplifies the
enthusiasm of amateur astronomers for science. Bill
observed this object from the United States, Australia, and Israel --
all at the same time! He utilized the Global Rent-A-Scope (GRAS)
facility, one of a growing number of leased-access facilities designed
specifically for remote use by amateur observers. Remote observing is
itself a relatively new field, and the first professional remote
observatories only came online during the last 15 years. Now, these
facilities are a fast-growing and popular means of obtaining data
remotely for amateur and professional astronomers and students and
educators. Bill's use of this facility is (as far as I know) the first
time that remote telescopes of this kind have been used by an amateur
astronomer on this scale in support of a major space-based observing
program. (And I'll mention that this is work done by a past AAVSO
President in support of the current AAVSO President, too!) Way to go,
Bill!
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| Bill Dillon (DIL), AAVSO Observer and Former President (2003-05), is pictured here at his telescope in Texas, but his observations came from the United States, Australia, and Israel! |
The AAVSO is also participating in this new way of observing with its
Sonoita Research Observatory in southern Arizona. This telescope
is operating now, and although it is not yet interactive, AAVSO members
can request observing time on this facility as part of their member
benefits. We are also in the process of establishing new remote
facilities including a southern telescope in New Zealand. Stay tuned
for more information on this exciting new capability!
Finally, as 2007 begins to wind down, I would like to thank all of the
many visual and CCD observers who responded to calls for observations
worldwide, whether they originated from the AAVSO's Alert or Special
Notices, a newsgroup posting, or a private email. In many cases, the alerts
come from the observers themselves -- we often hear about interesting
things from you first! You are doing incredible work for science, and
many of the advances in this field are coming about through your
dedication and effort.
Here's to a successful and productive 2007, and to clear skies in 2008!
Matthew Templeton
Campaign Coordinator
AAVSO Headquarters
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