AAVSO: Membership

The dying central star of the Ring Nebula floats in a blue haze of hot gas. The gas glows because it is bathed in ultraviolet radiation from the remnant central star, whose surface temperature is a white-hot 216,000 degrees Fahrenheit (120,000 degrees Celsius).

Image taken by HST (STScI/AURA)

Anyone who is interested in variable stars and in contributing to the support of valuable research may become a member of the AAVSO.

Members of the AAVSO include professional astronomers, amateur astronomers, researchers, educators, students, and those who love variable star astronomy. We currently have over 1000 members in over 45 countries. Check out the Frappr Map (friend mapper) to see where our observers are located around the globe!

Why become a member?

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Membership in the AAVSO is unique in that the variable star observations you make and report to AAVSO Headquarters are computerized, processed, published, and made available to the astronomical community for use in variable star research. You, through your simultaneous optical monitoring of variable stars, participate actively and contribute valuably in research on variable stars with ground-based and space satellites. The vital services you provide are very much appreciated by the astronomical community and are acknowledged in major astronomical publications.

Immediately after you join the AAVSO, you will receive a new member packet, which provides you with all the information that you need to establish your own variable star observing program. The AAVSO individualizes attention to new members by focusing on what type of telescope or binoculars, if any, you will use, which stars you are able to observe from your location, and which type of variable stars hold your interest. We hope that your observing experiences are successful and rewarding. By continuing to submit observations to the AAVSO, members constitute the most important element of success in the organization and to the astronomical community.

If you are already a member, you may renew your membership here.

Benefits

Upon joining the AAVSO, members are granted access to the Journal of the AAVSO, the AAVSO Newsletter, and the AAVSO Bulletin. In addition, members receive notices of the two yearly meetings of the AAVSO, which they are encouraged to attend. Observers who submit observations to the AAVSO International Database are also eligible to receive an email report telling them how often and why their data have been downloaded for use from the AAVSO website. More information on that may be found here.

Included in your new member packet that is sent to you when you join, is the new AAVSO Manual for Visual Observing of Variable Stars. This is the only manual on this subject available for the new observer and is an excellent observing tool. If you are already a member and would like to receive your one free copy order it now. AAVSO members and active observers are also now elgible to purchase the AAVSO Variable Star Atlas for the low low price of $20.00! Click here to order the Variable Star Atlas.

All AAVSO members automatically receive special access to the following publications:

Journal of the AAVSO: The Journal contains papers relevant to variable star research; reports of the AAVSO Committees, Director, and Treasurer; table of AAVSO observers' totals; Minutes of AAVSO Meetings by the Secretary, book reviews; letters to the Editor. Published twice a year.
The AAVSO Newsletter: The AAVSO newsletter is issued by Headquarters, shares news, information, and observing hints between Headquarters and the membership. Published twice a year.
The AAVSO Bulletin:The AAVSO bulletin contains predictions of maxima and minima of long period variable stars to assist in planning an observing program. Published once a year.

Benefits Available to Members Upon Request

AAVSO Photoelectric Photometry Newsletter: The PEP newsletter, issued by the PEP committee, contains brief reports on the behavior of small-amplitude variables, requests for photoelectric observations on some stars, and helpful information on photoelectric photometry hardware and software.
AAVSO RR Lyrae Bulletin and Eclipsing Binary Bulletin: These bulletins, issued by the RR Lyrae and Eclipsing Binary committees, inform observers of unusual activity of stars in these programs and list stars that need special observing.
AAVSO RR Lyrae Variable Star Ephemeris: The RR Lyrae ephemeris, issued by the RR Lyrae Committee, contains dates and times of maxima of program stars.
AAVSO Eclipsing Binary Ephemeris: The EB ephemeris, issued by the Eclipsing Binary Committee, contains dates and times of minima of program stars.
NewStar, AAVSO Nova Search Newsletter: The Nova Search Newsletter, issued by the Nova Search Committee, contains news on the discovery of novae and other helpful information on Nova searching.

Benefits Available to AAVSO Members Upon Subscription

AAVSO Solar Bulletin: The Solar Bulletin, issued by the Solar Division, provides monthly information on sunspot activity and solar flares, as supplied by AAVSO solar observers. 12 issues/year. Sent to active solar observers free of charge. $20.00 USA; $24.00 non-U.S., airmail.

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