For Professionals

Below is a list of just some of the advantages our network has for the professional community.

• Global Coverage: Since the network has members all over the globe we get the benefit of using an observatory not restricted by climate or time of day! When an alert is issued someone somewhere is well placed to image it.
• Free Workers! Free Data! This is a great resource for professionals. Since these are mostly amateurs who are doing this for enjoyment there is no need to request funds or fill out observing proposals. Also, false alarms are not discouraging since they do not use up valuable telescope time. All data collected is available to the public for free.
• Collaboration: We will gladly help you out with any special requests you may have. You may be surprised at how supportive and flexible the network can be to your needs. Contact us for more info.
• Outreach: Need to drum up support in the public? Members have given over 140 talks in 11 countries about GRBs and high energy phenomenon. We have also enjoyed coverage by CNN, Space.com, Sky & Telescope, PBS.org, and many other publications. All of this helps to spread the word and build grass-roots support for further research.

Observing Talent

AAVSO observers are among the highest qualified and experienced observers in the community. Cosponsored by NASA, the AAVSO has held two High Energy Astrophysics for Amateur Astronomers Workshops in Huntsville, AL in 2000 and Waikaloa, HI in 2002. We also have held numerous workshops on CCD photometry and data analysis.

AAVSO observers routinely get published in professional journals, bulletins, and circulars. The observing locations, detector equipment, and aperture size fall all across the spectrum. Some observers have access to dark-sky meter class telescopes via local universities or clubs and some observe with an 8 inch from the backyard. All have been trained in error determination and how to get the best out of their system without pushing it further than it can go.

Web Site Services

Variable Star Monitoring

Real-time monitoring of variable star data is available for professionals via e-mail. As observations on certain stars come in, they are relayed to you at a time interval of your choosing. This system is currently in beta testing with a late summer '03 public release expected. Professionals may sign up during the beta testing phase. contact us with the star(s) you want to monitor and how you plan to use the data.

GRB Resources

The GRB network automatically generates the following info on GCN alerts from Integral, HETE, and IPN:

• Alerts are sent out via e-mail, cell phone, and pager. The alerts can be filtered by DEC, distance to sun and moon, time of day, and spacecraft origin of alert
• Finder charts using DSS and USNO Pixel Maker Machine. For Integral and HETE, error patterns are overlayed.
• Photometry from USNOB2 and GSC2.2 is generated for the error field.
• Minor planet searches of the error field are done via MPC.

All this is done in just a few minutes after the alert is received at AAVSO HQ via GCN.

Observation Coordination

Through our CCD Views and Alert Notices we can quickly get word out to thousands of variable star observers. If you need monitoring of a star for a project just contact us. We have experience coordinating observations with just about every major satellite high energy observatory in orbit (HST, Chandra, XMM, RXTE, EUVE, HETE, etc.).