[Aavso-photometry] Color Photometry

[arne]

Jeff Hopkins wrote:
> Hello Chuck,
> 
> While I understand many astronomers make use of the AAVSO data, I 
> have had bad experience with it. My bad experiences have been both in 
> trying to submit large amounts of UBVJH data and in requesting data.
> 
> I have been trying since October 2006 to see some epsilon Aurigae 
> data that was submitted to the AAVSO. I recheck monthly and there is 
> always an excuse. I indicated I would be happy with the raw data, but 
> no go. This was important as I am preparing a paper for presentation 
> and publication at the SAS meeting in May and the deadline is about 
> closed so I won't be referencing the AAVSO data.
> 
what data are you missing?  All you have to do is ask me, especially
if you are having problems.  The buck stops here, as they say.

> As for submitting data, the format for submitting data is not 
> conducive of the form I have the data in. Except for time series 
> projects I use one UT date and HJD for three filters (UBV) and 
> specify the magnitude to 3 place, # of measurements, standard 
> deviations  (data spread of three sets) and air mass. I have similar 
> data for JH bands and also BVRI bands. It appears it would take a 
> great effort to put it in the accepted format. I even wrote a 
> database program to reformat it for the AAVSO format, but gave up.
> 
so, give us a format that you would prefer.  We are in the process
of creating a standard AAVSO CCD format, so your input is timely.
There are lots of Excel spreadsheets, as well as most image analysis
programs, that already output the current AAVSO format.

> As for "Who will see it in the future?," projects I work on end up in 
> published papers or given as presentations. Also, I submit projects 
> for IBVS publication of the data. You can also make a web page and 
> publish things yourself.
> 
Why not submit papers to the JAAVSO?

> Folks doing serious photometry put a great deal of effort into it and 
> need to think where they can best apply the efforts and what they 
> want from them. When asked, I always suggest picking a few 
> interesting projects, learn all you can about them, research other 
> data and then make your own observations. There is a learning curve 
> with each project. Each star is different. Sometimes projects go bust 
> and don;t produce anything of interest. Other times there are some 
> wonderful surprises.
> 
Yup, all good points.  We are here to both archive the data, coordinate
pro-am campaigns, educate observers, etc.  If you have problems, don't
just bad-mouth the organization - let us know the issues and work with
us to improve the AAVSO.
Arne