1. About yourself (please check as many as apply):
visual observer CCD observer PEP observer sunspot observer SID observer armchair astronomer supernova searcher active amateur astronomer nova searcher professional astronomer educator computer professional female male student college degree retired postgraduate degree

2. How long have you been an AAVSO member?
Non-member 2 years or less 2_5 years 6_10 years 10_20 years over 20 years

3. How many AAVSO meetings have you attended during the past decade? 

4. If you are a variable star or solar activity observer, please check the types of observations you make.
long-period variables dwarf novae novae supernovae R CrB stars RV Tau stars other irregular variables Cepheids eclipsing variables RR Lyrae stars sunspots sudden ionospheric disturbances symbiotic stars other

If other please specify:  

How many years have you been observing?  

Are you observing more now than in the past?
YesNo

Do you expect to observe more in the future than now?
YesNo

How long does it take you to reach your usual observing site?

How long does it take you to reach your preferred site?

How many times per month do you observe?

How do you observe? Check as many as apply.
unaided eye binoculars reflector under 10 inch aperture reflector over 10 inch aperture professional facility refractor other

If other please specify:  

If you use binoculars or a refractor please specify their apeture(s):  

What are the main problems you have in observing? Check as many as apply.
sky brightness terrain weather distance to site equipment charts daytime responsibilities health other (please specify)

If other please specify:  

Optional question: What could help you enjoy observing more?

5. Do you have a home computer? YesNo

If yes, do you:
have a network connection?
use your computer to plan observing?
use it at the telescope?
use it to analyze data?
use it to submit observations?
use it to learn more astronomy?

If you use a computer in connection with observing, which of the following apply?
Use AAVSO software
Use commercial software
Use freeware others have written
Use software you have written

6. To which of the following organizations do you belong? Please select all that apply. American Astronomical Society IAPPP Astronomical Soc. of the Pacific Assoc. Lunar Planetary Observers Amer. Assoc. of Physics Teachers BAV (Germany) Natl. Science Teachers Assoc. AFOEV (France) International Dark Sky Assoc. British Astron. Assoc. Royal Astron. Soc. of Canada RAS of New Zealand Astron. Soc. of South Australia VSO League of Japan Hungarian Astron. Association Unione Astrofili Italiani Astron. Soc. of Southern Africa VVSWVS (Belgium) NVVWS (The Netherlands)

Any local astronomy club/soc:

Any Others:

7. Please select your age group:
under 16 16 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to50 51 to 60 61 to 70 over 70

8. Have you ever published a paper on variable stars? YesNo

9. What topics in astronomy and variable stars would you like to learn more about?
10. Value of AAVSO to you: Please rate your satisfaction with the following (leave blank if you have no opinion):

AAVSO website ExcellentGoodBad

AAVSO software: KSOLO Excellent Good Bad

AAVSO software: KSOLOREP Excellent Good Bad

AAVSO software: ZAP (data plotting) Excellent Good Bad

AAVSO software: TS (time-series) Excellent Good Bad

Annual meetings (in Mass.) Excellent Good Bad

Spring meetings (various locales) Excellent Good Bad

Dues Excellent Good Bad

E-mail discussion group Excellent Good Bad

Hands-On Astrophysics Excellent Good Bad

Observer awards Excellent Good Bad

On-line charts Excellent Good Bad

On-line light curves Excellent Good Bad

Other observer materials Excellent Good Bad

Mentor program Excellent Good Bad

Standard charts Excellent Good Bad

Preliminary charts Excellent Good Bad

Sponsored memberships Excellent Good Bad >AAVSO publications

Alert Notices Excellent Good Bad

Bulletin Excellent Good Bad

Circular Excellent Good Bad

CCD Views (newsletter) Excellent Good Bad

Ephemeris for Eclipsing Binaries Excellent Good Bad

Ephemeris for RR Lyr Excellent Good Bad

Eclipsing Binary Bulletin Excellent Good Bad

Hands-On Astrophysics Excellent Good Bad

Journal Excellent Good Bad

Monographs Excellent Good Bad

Newsletter Excellent Good Bad

News Flash (e-mail) Excellent Good Bad

Obs. Min. Timings of Ecl. Binaries Excellent Good Bad

Observer's Manual Excellent Good Bad

PEP Newsletter Excellent Good Bad

SID Technical Bulletin Excellent Good Bad

Solar Bulletin Excellent Good Bad

Variable Star Atlas Excellent Good Bad

11. Please rate the following ideas for improving meetings and making them more accessible to all members:
Eliminate the fall meeting Yes Maybe No

Move the fall meeting out of Cambridge Yes Maybe No

Hold joint meetings with other groups Yes Maybe No

Scientific paper sessions held on both Fri. and Sat. afternoons Yes Maybe No

Shorten the meetings Yes Maybe No

If you don't normally attend AAVSO meetings, what would it take to get you to come to one? If you do attend them, what features, if any, could you do without?

12. Where should AAVSO target its resources? Please rate the following according to your assessment of value to the Association:

Assist observers with new technologies High Medium Low None

Automated telescopes High Medium Low None

Coordinate mentors High Medium Low None

Educational materials High Medium Low None

Help members link together High Medium Low None

On-line publications High Medium Low None

Improve charts High Medium Low None

International meetings High Medium Low None

Involve members in data analysis High Medium Low None

Maintain a software clearinghouse High Medium Low None

Make data available on-line High Medium Low None

On-line discussion group High Medium Low None

Provide feedback to observers High Medium Low None

Recommend stars to observe High Medium Low None

Recruit new members High Medium Low None

Recruit young members High Medium Low None

Scientific research at HQ High Medium Low None

Teach observers about variable star astronomy High Medium Low None

Update Observer's Manual High Medium Low None

Your comments and suggestions about the Association's priorities:

 

Thanks!!

Please note you will see a confirmation page when you submit the survey. The confirmation page only shows the last item you selected in multiple-selection questions. Rest assured, however, your entire selection was correctly submitted.