AAVSO: Observing Campaigns

An observing campaign is defined as a request for observations to achieve a specific goal, usually over a finite amount of time. Long-term monitoring campaigns for specific objects and research efforts may also be listed here.

For general information on how the AAVSO can assist with research programs, please visit our AAVSO Services and Impact on Science webpages.

If you have a research project that would benefit by an organized observing campaign or AAVSO participation, please contact aavso@aavso.org to request assistance or obtain more information on AAVSO support. If you are a professional astronomer who makes use of AAVSO Data or Campaign support, please consider becoming a member today!.

Current Campaigns

KT Eri	Open Ended	Optical time series photometry will be compared to X-ray photometry and spectroscopy obtained by the Swift and Chandra satellites	Special Notice 189
U Sco	Open Ended	Increased monitoring of U Sco to ensure prompt detection of the predicted upcoming outburst (2009.3 +/- 1 year). Both positive and fainter-than observations are as valuable, but positive detections may help to detect precursor activity.	Alert Notice 367 and Campaign page
Oscillations of TT Arietis	Open ended	Visual and CCD; CCD observers with multiple filters are requested to use them with V, Rc, Ic, and B having highest to lowest priority respectively.	Special Notice #172, and the campaign page
Long-term photometry of magnetically active variables	Through 2011	Observations once every few days of a small subset of targets; transformed, extinction-corrected standard photometry is required	Alert Notice #406, and the campaign page
Photometry of the eclipsing binary Epsilon Aurigae	Through 2011	Weekly observations; both visual estimates and instrumental photometry are desired -- all observers are encouraged to participate	Alert Notice #398, and the Citizen Sky website
Time-series photometry of N LMC 09	Open ended	Time-series capable of distinguishing between the shortest possible period of 0.063 days and P=1.19 days (V~16, delta=0.6m)	Special Notice #150
Long-term monitoring of the suspected white dwarf binary V1412 Aql	Open ended	Nightly monitoring, with intensive time series if an eclipse is detected	Special Notice #148 and Campaign Page
Photometry of the LBV P Cygni	Open ended	High-precision photometry to track behavior on long timescales	Special Notice #131 and the campaign page
QX PUP	Open Ended	Observing Project from Arne	QX Pup Observing Campaign
ASAS182612: A New Eclipsing Cepheid	Open Ended	time-series observations, with each observation having S/N of at least 100. Filtered observations are needed, preferably BVRI if you are able. If you know your transformation coefficients, please submit transformed magnitudes.	Alert Notice 351
Monitoring of Blazars for VERITAS/XMM observations	Open Ended	R-band (or V-band) CCD time-series and nightly BVRI observations (if possible) to detect large amplitude flares in any of the ten targeted blazars. Rapid (< 24 hours) reporting of any measurements above triggering R or V-band magnitudes.	Alert Notice 353
Photometry of HMXBs	open-ended	BVRI CCD time-series observations are urgently requested to search for periodic behavior and correlate with ongoing spectroscopy.	Alert Notice 348 and charts page

Completed Campaigns

Nightly B,V monitoring of AG Dra	Through mid-September 2009	Nightly observations, B preferred if available, then V, or any observations, including visual	Alert Notice #399
Monitoring of EX Hya and DQ Her	Through August 31, 2009	V-band time-series with S/N of at least 30 per observation	Alert Notice #401
Monitoring of SDSS J102347.68+003841.2 == FIRST J1023	Open ended	Nightly monitoring to detect outbursts brighter than V ~ 17.3, time-series of any outbursts	Special Notice #151
Observations of SDSS J212531.92-010745.9	Through late 2009	High signal-to-noise time series observations of a PG1159-type variable in a binary system.	Special Notice #113
Photometry of the high-mass X-ray binary V884 Sco	Through August 2009	High-precision B,V (preferred) photometry of this V=6.5 star	Alert Notice #397
Photometry of Beta Cephei	Through August 7, 2009	High-precision, calibrated photometry requested, preferably V filter, or B and V filters if 10 or more observations can be obtained in each filter during each 4.5-hour pulsation cycle	Special Notice #162
Monitoring of YZ Cnc, Z Cam, and EM Cyg for radio observations	Through late 2009	Monitoring with rapid (< 1 hour) reporting of outbursts	Alert Notice #390 and Campaign page(note: link is outside aavso.org)
Request to monitor the candidate high-mass X-ray binary BG Gem	2009 February 4 through 2009 May 1	High S/N photometry in Rc, V, and Ic	Special Notice #146 and Campaign Page (note: link is outside aavso.org)
Monitoring for a planetary transit of HD 80606	2009 February 12 through February 16	Very high S/N photometry, preferably fully transformed and extinction corrected	Alert Notice #393 and recent background (note: link is outside aavso.org)
Tremendous Outburst Amplitude Dwarf Novae (TOADs)	Through early 2009	Nightly monitoring of any and all candidate TOADs, with an emphasis on detecting high-amplitude superoutbursts rather than normal outbursts.	Alert Notice 379 and Campaign page
U Gem and SS Cyg	Open Ended	Nightly monitoring of U Gem and SS Cyg in support of radio observations with VLA (NRAO, US) and MERLIN (UK). Rapid -- immediate if possible -- reporting of outbursts to AAVSO HQ via WebObs is requested.	Alert Notice 360 and Campaign page(link is outside AAVSO)
GJ 436	Through end of observing season (June 2008)	B (preferred) or V-band time series photometry of transit eclipses. Depth of eclipse is less than 10 mmag, so high S/N is required. Observe close to meridian crossing, and obtain the highest possible signal to noise in all flat field images.	Alert Notice 370
RE J1255+266	Now through the third week in May 2008	Nightly monitoring of RE J1255+266 through May 12 2008 UT, with a short, intensive campaign centered on the HST observing window (2008 May 13 15:00 UT through 2008 May 14 09:30 UT). Detection of either RE J1255+266 itself (V<19.0) or the comparison star at V=16.998 at least. Filtered V-band observations are preferred: please integrate to reach S/N=10 at least if imaging.	Alert Notice 378 and Campaign page
SDSS J151413.72+454911.9	Now through mid-May 2008	Nightly monitoring of SDSS J151413.72+454911.9 through mid-May 2008, with a short, intensive campaign centered on the HST observing window (TBA). Detection of either SDSS J1514 itself (V=19.5) or the comparison star at V=15.0 at least. Filtered V-band observations are preferred: please integrate to reach S/N=10 at least if imaging.	Alert Notice 376 and Campaign page
SDSS133948	Now through January 25, 2008 UT	Nightly monitoring of SDSS133948 through January 22, 2008, followed by intensive monitoring through January 25 UT -- HST observations are currently scheduled for ten hours beginning 2008 January 25 06:15 UT. Detection of either SDSS133948 itself or the comparison star at V=15.0. Filtered V-band observations are preferred: please integrate to reach S/N=10 at least if imaging.	Alert Notice 366 and Campaign page
EF Eri	Through January 17, 2008	Nightly monitoring of EF Eri through January 15, 2008, followed by intensive monitoring through then evening of January 17 UT -- HST observations are currently scheduled for ten hours beginning 2008 January 17 06:00 UT. Detection of either EF Eri itself or the comparison star at V=14.5. Filtered V-band observations are preferred: please integrate to reach S/N=10 at least if imaging.	Alert Notice 365 and campaign page
BZ UMa	Through January 17, 2008	Monitoring of BZ UMa for outbursts through January 16, 2008, followed by intensive monitoring through January 17, 16:00 UT.	Special Notice 91
SDSS091908	Through November 17, 2007	Nightly monitoring of SDSS091908 through November 12, 2007, followed by intensive monitoring through November 17 UT -- HST observations are currently scheduled for ten hours beginning 2007 November 14 18:25 UT. Detection of either SDSS091908 itself or the comparison star at V=14.5. Filtered V-band observations are preferred: please integrate to reach S/N=10 at least if imaging.	Alert Notice 361 and campaign page
TT Ari	Through November 4, 2007	Visual and instrumental monitoring of TT Ari. Instrumental photometry using V and Ic filters is preferred. Please obtain S/N=50 in any time series photometry.	Special Notice 75
SDSS074545	Through November 3, 2007	Nightly monitoring of SDSS074545 through October 29, 2007, followed by intensive monitoring through the end of the observing window on November 3, 2007 UT. Detection of either SDSS074545 itself or the comparison star at V=15.8. Filtered V-band observations are preferred: please integrate to reach S/N=10 at least if imaging.	Alert Notice 359 and campaign page
omi Cet	September 9 -- October 5, 2007	Nightly monitoring of omi Cet with both visual observing and instrumental filtered photometry, preferably in the bluest band available. Intensive photometric observations requested on September 23 UT during HST observations.	Alert Notice 358 and Special Notice #69
PQ Andromedae	August 27, 2007 -- September 16, 2007	Nightly monitoring of PQ And during the two weeks prior to September 10, followed by intensive monitoring through the end of the observing window on September 16 UT. Detection of either PQ And itself or one or both of the comparison stars at V=14.5 and V=17.0. Filtered V-band observations are preferred: please integrate to reach S/N=10 at least if imaging.	Alert Notice 356 and campaign page
GJ 436	open-ended	photometric guidelines	Alert Notice 350 and campaign page
AR UMa	Now through the end of May	B- and V-band CCD time-series observations are most urgently requested, but any and all observations will be useful.	Alert Notice 348 and campaign page
Request to Monitor CVs for Radio Observations	began February 21, 2007 (completed)	Rapid (within one hour) reporting of all photometry and visual magnitude estimates, including quiescent and fainter-than observations	Alert Notice 345
V1316 Cyg	until Jan. 2007	Nightly visual and CCD monitoring for both brief, normal and superoutbursts is requested.	Special Notice #15
FUSE Cataclysmic Variable Survey		CCD and Visual	Alert Notice 339
NGC 6811	Sep 1 - Oct 31, 2006	TBA	"Campaign Web Page
BP Hyi	Jan 14 - unknown	CCD observations in V for as long as possible and for as many contiguous days as possible until we get enough data to determine its light curve.	Alert Notice 322
HD Exoplanet Transit Project	April 26-27	CCD Observations with a B or V filter for as long as possible	photometry discussion group msg
W Vir	Now through June 12	CCD, PEP and Visual Observations needed	Discussion group msg
V426 Oph	Jan 17 - Feb 26 Feb 26 - Mar 6 Mar 7 - Apr 6	CCD and Visual Observations needed.	Campaign web page
W Vir	Now through end of March 2006	CCD, PEP and Visual Observations needed	Alert Notice 331
HT Cas	Jan. 7, 2006 - Apr 2, 2006	Monitor for outbursts, help with XMM-Newton X-ray multi-mirror telescope observations	Alert Notice 317
ASAS102515	Until decline	CCD and Visual Observations needed.	Alert Notice 334
Beta Gem	Now through April 5th	PEP observations in optical and near-infrared	Campaign web page
Z Cha	April 5, 2005 through April 20, 2006	Monitor for outbursts, help with XMM-Newton X-ray multi-mirror telescope observations	Alert Notice 317
OY Car	May 31, 2005 through October 24, 2005 and Dec 2, 2005 through April 20, 2006	Monitor for outbursts, help with XMM-Newton X-ray multi-mirror telescope observations	Alert Notice 317
ASAS023322	Now through end of February	CCD and Visual Observations needed.	Alert Notice 333
TU Cas	Now through February 2006	Experienced visual observers, PEP observers, and CCD observers.	Alert Notice 318, 319
AS 325	July 13 - December 1	Nightly BVRI CCD observations to support Spitzer Observations	Alert Notice 321
Var Her 04	July - end of October	CCD observations with an Ic filter every week or two	Photometry Discussion Group
AE Aqr	Aug 28/29 - Sep 1/2	All observers but particularly CCD in B Filter, details in Alert Notice	Observing campaign web page
V2291 Oph	July 4 - 18	PEP observers make at least one observation per night in B and V.	Alert Notice 318
AM Her	July 14 - July 28	CCD Observerations once per night in BVR to support XMM Newton Observations	Alert Notice 322
SDSS161033	June 24 - June 30	V filtered observations of this field each night from June 24th-July 1st (UT).	Alert Notice 319
Blazar 4C 29.45	Now through July 1	Monitor the Blazar 4C 29.45 for Spitzer Observations	CCD Views #338
LS Peg	Now through July 8	Monitor LS Peg for XMM Newton Observations	CCD Views #337
SDSS013132	June 11-18	V filtered observations of this field each morning	Alert Notice 318
SDSS2205	May 21-22	Monitor dwarf novae in CCDV for HST observations	CCD Views #336
CI Gem	April 11 through decline	CCDV observations are requested through the decline	CI Gem Campaign page
Var Her 04	May 4-6	Photometry to coincide with Spitzer observations	Photometry Discussion Group message
N Cyg 05/ V2361 Cyg	Feb. 22 through decline	CCDV observations are requested through the decline	V2361 Cyg campaign page
N Pup 04	Nov. 22, 2004 - As long as possible	Visually monitor nova through decline	Alert Notice #312
Exoplanet Radio Correlation	March 5-8 and March 14-17	High precision optical observations needed to correlate with GMRT Radio data	GMRT Radio Exoplanet Host page
HD 80606 Exoplanet Transit	Feb. 24	Intense photometric monitoring of the star during the four-day window centered on 2005 Feb 25 19:39 UT.	HD 80606 campaign page
U Gem	Nov. 22, 2004 - Until Outburst	Visual + CCD monitoring for outburst triggering RXTE satellite obs	Alert Notice #312
VV Pup	Feb. 15 - 17	Time series observations for as long as possible in BVRI	CCD Views #330
BZ UMa	Jan. 16 - end of outburst	Outburst! CCD V time series needed for as long as possible	AAVSO Special MyNewsFlash
BZ UMa	Dec. 2004 - Indefinite	Daily CCD monitoring for flare activity, time series if flares detected	CCD Views #328
HD 74156 and HD 37605	Dec. 26, 2004 - Jan. 3, 2005	CCD Monitoring for Exoplanet Transits	Dec. 2004 Exoplanet Transit Campaign Page
IL Aqr	Oct. 2004 - Jan. 1, 2005	Daily CCD monitoring and weekly time series for flares	IL Aqr Campaign Page
Mark 421	Dec. 15 - Jan. 1, 2005	CCD observations (preferably time series) in V and I	CCD Views #329
VV Pup	Dec. 28 - Dec. 29, 2004	CCD BVRI time series	AAVSO-Photometry Announcement
BL Lac	Nov. 12 - 14, 2004	Intensive CCD Time Series in V-Ic looking for short-term fading events in support of GTN	CCD Views #327
IL Aqr/GJ 876	Oct. 20 - 23, 2004	CCD monitoring for exoplanet transit window	IL Aqr Campaign Page

search engine | site map | links | contact us