Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 20:49:45 +0100 From: Hubert Hautecler I wish someone would! > >As a very rank amateur, I wish someone was around to say, " Ok with this >setup you are using, try this star, and tell me what mag you get and >why.." > >After answering that, the seasoned observer would either say," That is >way off.. Try again " or "Very Good, let's submit that observation and >try this star that is a little bit tougher." > >I would also like to see "program" of 5 or 10 stars of each type or >class that are "easy" "moderate" "advanced" to observe.. > >I am such a newbie to Variables this email may not even make much sense. >Hopefully someone has an idea of what I mean.. > > >Derek > > >Simonsen >Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 6:22 AM > > >Hoping to further this discussion and answer public and private > >RE: ASAS >"Maybe the thing to say is that just because there are no AAVSO > >"Surely though they are being looked at by ASAS?" > >Yes, ASAS makes things different for southern observers for sure. Even >with ASAS ongoing I wouldn't discourage southern observers from >observing anything based on AAVSO data. There aren't enough observers >and there are lots of interesting stars. > >Whether or not it is useful to observe stars in the magnitude range and >skies covered by ASAS is up for debate in my mind. What happens when >ASAS finally goes silent. If everyone has stopped observing those stars >who and how will we pick them up again? Maybe there is some benefit to >continued observations of stars with long historical light curves to >maintain continuity? It is the long term behavior of these stars we are >particularly interested in, right? > >ASAS. > >RE: Charts >charts. Not all of them but the most have bad sequences en and don't go >faint enough." > >Yes, agreed. If you see the whole file you will note that the remarks >columns all pertain to the quality of the charts and sequences. This is >just part of the continued effort on Marc's part to evaluate the charts >most in need of updating, fixing, revising with new photometry, etc. >Marc is even more fanatical about charts and sequences than I am, and >since my efforts have been almost exclusively on cataclysmic variables, >he has been the champion of improved AAVSO charts for Miras. > >"Your list seems taking into account only those mirae which have an >official chart. A lot of mirae, some of them quite bright, don't have >such charts, and are observed using GSC mags." > >Yes, I know, but again this list was made (indirectly) as part of the >AAVSO chart process, so it is based on stars with AAVSO charts. > >RE: Direction from HQ based on scientific or other criteria > >"Just out of curiosity, when I joined the AAVSO many years ago (sorry, >no longer a member), I was assigned Chi CYG as a "check" star, i.e., to >see if my visual estimates were in line with more experienced observers. > >I wonder if that star is still used for that reason and, if so, if that > >To the best of my knowledge HQ doesn't assign anyone stars for any >purpose these days. In fact the only resources for suggested targets are >buried in the web pages under 'needs more observations' in the Bulletin, >'easy to observe stars' and the targets on the campaign page. I can't >think of any others. > >Again, maybe there is some scientific reason to keep observing 'legacy >stars' with long historical light curves, even at the expense of most or >all other Miras. I don't know, what do you think? > >Professional astronomers don't seem to be particularly well informed or >interested in a great number of Miras. From my "AAVSO usage reports" the >same stars come up again and again as the ones professionals are >interested in, R Leo, Chi Cyg, Omicron Ceti... > >RE: Bad advice > >"Maybe an appeal for observers to extend their programs and include some >urgently needed stars might be appropriate. But please don't tell an > >I didn't say observing any of these stars was a waste of time, nor was I >trying to imply it. Merely that there are other stars that may be of >interest that receive little or no attention, and "oh by the way, here >is a list for your convenience". > > >Mike Simonsen > >********************************* >C. E. Scovil Observatory http://home.mindspring.com/~mikesimonsen/ >AAVSO Chart Team >charts >CVnet Administrator >http://cvnet.aavso.org > >********************************** > >_______________________________________________ >