From: "Tom Krajci" From: Michael Linnolt very advanced group of observers in the center of the technology capital of the world, and have >the most sophisticated and large telescopes and imaging equipment I have seen. I had attended >several of their star parties and posted numerous observations of variables to their mailing >list, to try and recruit observers. >In a nutshell, the results were a big fat ZERO. Was unable to recruit any new variable star >observers, over a years worth of time. In fact, there were some "old timers" who ran the list >who were outright hostile towards my attempts to suggest they take up "scientifically useful" >observing! And, I found myself essentially banned from there! It appears they(TAC) believe the >role of the amateur should consist of and be limited to:.... Think of it as fishing for new members, or mowing the grass: Just because If TAC is unreceptive, move on to other pastures. (Maybe their list 'personality' will change a bit in a couple years? Try again then.) Join other local groups if possible. If not, join groups via the Internet. Give talks about variable star observing at local events. Give lectures at schools, boy scouts, etc. (One idea with TAC and other groups like it: On nights of cirrus clouds, lousy seeing, full moon, high winds...how about taking some time series data of a cataclysmic variable? That won't cut into your dark moon imaging schedule...and you just might find the data you take interesting and puzzling.) I'm gonna give a talk at Imaging the Sky 2006. http://www.stargazing.net/david/its/ I'm the only one talking about amateur science in a convention full of CCD imagers that like to image cool stuff with cool equipment. I'll 'cast my fishing net' again...and see what comes of it. When I give talks like that I prefer to emphasize these points: - you can do photometry/data collection with the humblest of equipment...and it can be scientifically valuable - you can collaborate with folks from around the world, amateur and pro (most pretty picture takers don't do that)...and that can be a real source of inspiration and satisfaction. - there is a sense of permanence to your observing...it goes into databases, papers, archives, etc. And it may be used again and again, or at least referred to as a starting point for the next paper. (This year's 'hot' the wall...but next year it's old news and soon fades from memory and is discarded when the next 'hot' image comes around.) >There is an incredible amount of sophisticated visual and CCD equipment out there in the hands >of amateurs, but 99.9% of it appears to be used just for recreational astronomy, or sitting in a >garage waiting for a star party.... Human nature. Think of most folks that win the lottery big time...do they We are fishing/recruiting for a small percentage of the population. Keep advertising. And if you can't recruit new members...at least you can be ready to mentor when someone finds AAVSO all by themselves and comes to the door with lots of questions. Tom Krajci Cloudcroft, New Mexico http://overton2.tamu.edu/aset/krajci/ No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.2.3/281 - Release Date: 3/14/2006 _______________________________________________