[Aavso-photometry] Merging of the nova and supernova search programs

[arne]

Bob Evans told me a few months ago that he wished to step
down as chair of the supernova search program.  I took this
as an opportunity to broaden the scope of such searches,
as the original concept was developed a few decades ago
and technology and science have advanced considerably in
the past years.  I've also been in touch with Ken Beckmann,
the chair of the nova search committee.

It seems to me that the best approach is to merge both of
these programs, since the purpose is to search for transient
objects.  The original programs were exclusively visual,
and I see no reason why anyone interested in continuing
their visual searches should not be allowed to do so.
Towards that end, I've asked both Ken and Bob to remain
available to help guide those searches.

However, it is pretty obvious to me that the outside groups
leading the nova/supernova surveys are using CCD cameras, either
tied to telephoto lenses (such as the Japanese nova searches
or Bill Liller in Chile) or goto telescopes (such as KAIT
in California, or the ROTSE3 network).  We need to advance
with the times and support these newer, more efficient
techniques as well.

Therefore, I've asked Tim Puckett to take the overall
chair of the combined committee.  Tim is well known to
both the professional and amateur community, running an
extremely successful CCD supernova survey from his Ellijay
Observatory in Georgia.  Tim has enlisted the aid of many
amateurs to study his images and find SNe with good success,
so it does not need to be a totally robotic, software intensive
proposition to be effective.

We haven't decided what this new committee will be called;
perhaps Transient Search Committee?  Anyway, both Tim and
I would be interested in hearing your ideas as to how to
make the new committee effective, while retaining as much
of the previous effort as possible.  We'll also be recognizing
the pioneering effort of the visual search observers at an
upcoming meeting.
Arne