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

[Donn Starkey]

Gary Walker wrote:
> Anyone have other V word suggestions?? 

VTS:  "Variable Transient Search" group

>You always know when astronomers have too much cloudy weather in their
schedule.

Actually, I put a new mount on my scope last month.  So, I am responsible
for the poor Midwest weather over the last few weeks.

==============================================
Donn Starkey
starkey73 at mchsi.com
http://www.starkey.ws
AAVSO Observer SDB  -  CBA Indiana 
VSNET Observing Team  -  MPC Code H63
============================================== 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: aavso-discussion-bounces at mira.aavso.org [mailto:aavso-discussion-
> bounces at mira.aavso.org] On Behalf Of Gary Walker
> Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 9:51 AM
> To: arne at aavso.org; aavso-discussion at mira.aavso.org
> Cc: aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org
> Subject: Re: [AAVSO-DIS] Merging of the nova and supernova search programs
> 
> 
>  Perhaps to keep up with our moniker (sp?)? of VSX, VSP, Vxx; we should
> consider calling this the Valiant Search Committee?? (VSC), considering
> the hard work and long hours of nothingness that they go thru before
> getting a hit.
> 
> Anyone have other V word suggestions?? You always know when astronomers
> have too much cloudy weather in their schedule.
> 
> 
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> 
> Thanks
> 
> Clear Skies
> Gary Walker
> Maria Mitchell Observatory
> 4 Vestal Street
> Nantucket, Mass  02554
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: arne <arne at aavso.org>
> To: AAVSO-DIS <aavso-discussion at mira.aavso.org>
> Cc: Aavso-Photometry <aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org>
> Sent: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 9:31 am
> Subject: [AAVSO-DIS] Merging of the nova and supernova search programs
> 
> 
> 
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> 
> 
> 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
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