New Life for Old Data: Digitization of Data Published in the Harvard Annals (Abstract)

Volume 40 number 1 (2012)

Matthew R. Templeton

AAVSO Headquarters, 49 Bay State Road, Cambridge, MA 02138; matthewt@aavso.org

Michael Saladyga

AAVSO Headquarters, 49 Bay State Road, Cambridge, MA 02138; matthewt@aavso.org

Kevin B. Paxson

20219 Eden Pines, Spring, TX 77379; kbpaxson@aol.com

Robert J. Stine

address correspondence to R. J. Stine, 297 Eagle Ridge Street, Newbury Park, CA 91320; bobstine@verizon.net

C. Froschlin

address correspondence to R. J. Stine, 297 Eagle Ridge Street, Newbury Park, CA 91320; bobstine@verizon.net

Andrew Rupp

address correspondence to R. J. Stine, 297 Eagle Ridge Street, Newbury Park, CA 91320; bobstine@verizon.net

Abstract

(Abstract only) We describe the volunteer-driven project to digitize published visual observations found in the Annals of the Harvard College Observatory, the publication of record for Harvard’s variable star data archives prior to the founding of the AAVSO. The addition of published data from the 19th and early 20th centuries to the AAVSO International Database has the potential to enable significant new science by extending long term light curves farther back in time with high-quality visual and photographic data. AAVSO volunteers working on this project have together digitized over well over 10,000 observations from the Harvard Annals, adding decades to the light curves of some stars. We highlight the work done so far, and show the potential to expand the project by both AAVSO Headquarters and by the volunteers themselves.