Near the end of 2013 we plan to launch a fundraising program designed to encourage small donations to the AAVSO from a large number of donors each year. The concept is very simple and has been used by other non-profits to raise money for children, animals, and other good causes: “adopt” the variable star of your choice for one year for a donation to the AAVSO of $20.00 U.S. (tax-deductible in the U.S.). Our program will be called the Annual Adopt a Variable Star Program (AAVSP).
When you adopt a star for a year you will receive a pdf star chart of that variable star and at the end of your year you will receive a light curve of your star for that year. Whenever a light curve of your star is created on the Light Curve Generator during your year, your name as an “adopter” will appear in a list below the observer listing.
There is no limit to the number of variable stars a person can adopt (at $20.00 per star). There is also no limit to the number of people who can adopt a specific variable star.
We will provide a web page with instructions on how to “adopt” any variable star listed in VSX for $20.00. A simple web form will handle the adoptions and donations.
An associated web page will list all the adopted stars and the donors who have adopted them. The stars will be listed alphabetically by constellation. Stars with no GCVS designation will be listed at the end of the list in alphanumerical order.
To be perfectly clear, you are not buying a star, you are not becoming the owner of anything pertaining to that star (except bragging rights), we are not naming it after you or your cat or your dog—you are simply donating to the AAVSO in the name(s) of your favorite variable star(s).
Adopt a variable star as a gift to yourself! Adopt a variable star in celebration of a birthday/anniversary/wedding/adoption/graduation/promotion/retirement or other milestone!
If you have had a hard time finding a gift and time is running out, AAVSP adopted stars will make excellent last-minute stocking stuffers, New Year’s gifts....
Watch for the anticipated starting date in early December 2013!