November 21, 2005

In Alert Notice #318 we announced an updated AAVSO Alert Notice Publication Policy. We would like to expand on that announcement and provide more detail.

1. Announcement of the launch of the AAVSO Special Notice
2. Policy on Announcement of New Variable Star Discoveries
3. Policy on New Supernova Observations and Announcements of Supernova Discoveries

These policy changes will take effect on December 1, 2005. Please note that we may further adjust these policies after they have been in place for a while and we have some results to analyze. We welcome any suggestions or comments at aavso@aavso.org.

—Arne Henden

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE LAUNCH OF THE "AAVSO SPECIAL NOTICE" ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION

The AAVSO Special Notice (ASN) will include announcements on interesting and/or rare stellar activity that do not involve new coordinated campaigns. The goal is for the ASN to be quick and brief. Should the announcement warrant further attention, it may be followed by an Alert Notice.

This publication will replace the "Special MyNewsFlash", which will no longer be issued.

** You are not automatically subscribed to this new service. You may subscribe to the new Special Notice by either replying to this e-mail with "subscribe" or by visiting this URL:

http://www.aavso.org/publications/email/

As a reminder, the Alert Notice will now be used to announce major events, major discoveries, requests for observations, and new campaigns coordinated by headquarters. Follow-up will be done through Eyepiece Views and CCD Views.

Below is a summarized description of the new AAVSO publication plan to alert you to stellar activity:

                                                  --> 3a. Eyepiece Views
                    --> 2. Alert Notice    \     |
 1. Special Notice |                         --> |
                    --> --> (if warranted) /     |
                                                  --> 3b. CCD Views

1. Special Notice: Quick and brief, covering interesting stellar activity.
2. Alert Notice: Formalized announcement with more detailed information and charts. It will include stellar activity which needs further observation, requests for observations and campaign announcements.
3a. Eyepiece Views: Follow up information and status reports on visual campaigns.
3b. CCD Views: Follow up information and status reports on CCD/PEP campaigns.

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW VARIABLE STAR DISCOVERIES

We are amending the new variable star announcement policy in AAVSO Alert Notice #318 to include only "all new variable stars with an identified need for urgent observations".

In the coming years many new variable stars will be discovered as the capabilities of both professional and amateur observatories increase. Those discoveries that are of interest, but not with an accompanied identified need for urgent observations, will be announced via the new Special Notice publication.

We are currently working on a new web tool to help keep track of *all* new and announced discoveries. We hope to have it online by early 2006. We realize all these classifications are somewhat of a grey area. We will do our best to remain consistent.

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AAVSO NEW POLICY ON SUPERNOVA OBSERVATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NEW SUPERNOVA DISCOVERIES

NEW SUPERNOVA OBSERVING STRATEGY
After consulting with numerous professionals in the field we have developed a new strategy for observing supernovae. These new guidelines will help insure that the work of AAVSO observers is of the utmost value to the supernova research community.

Alert & Notification Policy
* We will issue Alert Notices and make charts for Type-Ia SNe that reach V=15 and brighter and Type-Ib,Ic,II that reach V=11.5 and brighter and are in good locations for observing within their host galaxy.
* We will issue Special Notices, but not neccesarily with charts, for Type-Ib,Ic,II SNe that reach V=13.5.

Observing Policy
* CCD observations in BVIc bands are requested to 0.05 mag precision. We need an observation every 2-3 days until a month after maximum and then once every 4-6 days until it fades below SNR=20. Then we need monitoring once per month for 1-3 years in the Ic band, if possible, to look for rebrightening.
* We will attempt to acquire field calibration for those that meet the Alert Notice criteria.
* We request that observers reduce and submit the their data as usual. However, we also request that observers FTP their flat/dark/biased processed FITS images to this location:

host: ftp.aavso.org
username: ftp
password: your e-mail address
directory: upload/sn/
Filename: Your observer code and supernova (ex:PAH-sn2005ap.fits)

We will continue to increase our interaction with supernova researchers and with their help will monitor the progress of this new strategy. In a year we will revisit it and may adjust the program according to their feedback and advice.

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