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High Resolution IN THIS ISSUE: H NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS INTRODUCING AAVSO COMMUNICATIONS . 3 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF LIGHT . 6 THOMAS CRAGG AND THE AAVSO AMERICAN RELATIVE SUNSPOT NUMBER . 16 REDUCING SYSTEMATIC ERRORS IN PEP . 17 AA TAU . 18 NORTHERN HEMISPHERE PEP TUNE-UP . 19 ISSUE NO. 64 APRIL 2015 WWW.AAVSO.ORG H ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE AAVSO . 5 IN MEMORIAM . 10 SCIENCE SUMMARY: AAVSO IN PRINT . 12 PEP PROGRAM UPDATE . 19 OBSERVING CAMPAIGNS UPDATE . 22 Complete table of contents on page 2 AAVSONewsletter SINCE 1911... The AAVSO is an international non-profit organization of variable star observers whose mission is: to observe and analyze variable stars; to collect and archive observations for FROM THE worldwide access; and to forge strong collaborations and mentoring between amateurs and professionals that promote both scientific research DIRECTOR’S DESK and education on variable sources. STELLA KAFKA he mission of the their first steps through the AAVSO. And, because “TAAVSO is to of the AAVSO, many non-professional astronomers PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE enable anyone, anywhere, are involved in high-profile projects. JENO SOKOLOSKI to participate in scientific discovery through variable I started my tenure as the AAVSO’s new Director hen the recurrent nova star astronomy.” As we start in February, moving to beautiful (and cold!) WRS Oph erupted in our journey together, I took Boston a couple of weeks prior. After receiving 2006, I watched a fleeting a small step back to examine a warm welcome from Arne and the HQ staff, stellar explosion turn a what the AAVSO represents: we are all hard at work to continue the work of scattered collection of collaboration between the AAVSO. Our focus for the future will be to individualistic, sometimes professional and amateur astronomers, knowledge strengthen our community and keep catering to competitive astronomers, sharing, equal opportunities for all, an Association its needs, while focusing on our core values and with full schedules and a that brings people together through astronomy. In improving our services to the community. This is wide range of interests, into principle, the AAVSO is a community of astro- a challenging task, as we live in a fast-paced era, the proverbial well-oiled enthusiasts who strive to study and to understand in which technology and means of communication machine. We shared ideas, distributed tasks, and some of the most dynamic, unpredictable, and fun and information-sharing are rapidly evolving. We communicated rapidly to make sure we didn’t miss phenomena in the night sky. start this year by participating in the International the secrets that RS Oph had to tell. But how can a Year of Light—IYL 2015. This is a high-profile group of friends and colleagues work effectively The AAVSO data are everywhere: in science papers, initiative by the United Nations aiming “to together without the impetus of a rare and exciting in press releases, in observing alert responses, and raise awareness of how optical technologies recurrent nova eruption, for a long-term goal such in citizen science projects. The data processing tools promote sustainable development and provide as good governance of the AAVSO? In my first that accompany the database allow for everyone to solutions to worldwide challenges in areas such Newsletter column, in 2014 January, I introduced get their hands dirty with light curve analysis and as energy, education, communications, health, the 10 basic responsibilities of a governing council, interpretation, and publish their results in JAAVSO. and sustainability” (http://www.light2015.org/). which I repeat below. In the rest of this column, I Courses and seminars provide the necessary background It is also quite an appropriate occasion for us describe how Council attempts to carry out these for everyone, especially new observers. Meetings and to celebrate the AAVSO’s multiple facets. We responsibilities. online forums are another great opportunity to learn, honor more than a century of hard work of 1. Determine mission and purpose. as well as to meet each other and brainstorm with thousands of members and observers, hundreds seasoned observers. The AAVSO is beyond borders—it 2. Select the chief executive. of thousands of stars observed, millions of is an international multi-cultural collaboration, as data points in our database, billions of photons 3. Support and evaluate the chief executive. science is. Many professional astronomers took collected. We celebrate scientific collaborations, 4. Ensure effective planning. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 1 The AAVSO Newsletter Number 64 April 2015 THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF VARIABLE STAR OBSERVERS DIRECTOR Arne A. Henden PRESIDENT Jennifer Sokoloski PAST PRESIDENT Mario Motta DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Kristine M. Larsen CONTINUED... CONTINUED... 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Roger S. Kolman fun discoveries, our favorite objects that never 5. Monitor, and strengthen programs and services. SECRETARY Gary Walker cease to surprise us, and our collective work 6. Ensure adequate financial resources. striving to understand them, using light as our TREASURER Bill Goff only tool. We cherish and recognize our past, we 7. Protect assets and provide proper financial oversight. COUNCILORS embrace our present, and we look forward to an 8. Build a competent board. Barbara G. Harris Joseph Patterson exciting future. Please sign up for our monthly 9. Ensure legal and ethical integrity. email AAVSO Communications, which is aiming Rodney H. Howe Richard Sabo to provide quick updates on current projects and 10. Enhance the organization’s public standing. Katrien Kolenberg David G. Turner events. And please join me in our activities this Many of you who attend membership meetings John C. Martin Doug Welch year and our journey for the years to come. H are probably aware that Council meets face-to- face twice a year, typically before each general NEWSLETTER Ed. note: the Spanish language version of Stella’s membership meeting. Much of Council’s work, EDITOR Elizabeth O. Waagen message can be found on page 13. however, gets accomplished outside of these face- PRODUCTION EDITOR Michael Saladyga to-face meetings. In 2012, to bring the AAVSO more DEVELOPMENT Mike Simonsen into line with accepted best practices for non-profit organizations, we formed several standing committees: CONTENTS The AAVSO Newsletter is published in January, a Governance Committee, a Programs Committee, a April, July, and October. Items of general interest From the Director’s Desk 1 Budget Committee, and an Investment Committee. to be considered for the Newsletter should be sent The rosters below show the current composition to [email protected]. President’s Message 1 of the standing committees, with the names of the Introducing “AAVSO Communications” 3 chairs marked with an asterisk. The Director and the 104th Spring Meeting of the AAVSO 4 President are ex officio members of all committees. Membership in the AAVSO is open to anyone who is interested in variable stars and in contributing to A Special Invitation to Regional Astronomy Clubs 5 Governance the support of valuable research. Members include Talking About the AAVSO 5 *Roger Kolman (ex officio [2nd Vice President]) professional astronomers, amateur astronomers, Kristine Larsen researchers, educators, students, and those who International Year of Light (IYL 2015) 6 love variable star astronomy. Barbara Harris March Solar Eclipse 6 Doug Welch AAVSO Dedicated Astronomers Given Canada’s 49 Bay State Road Largest Telescope 7 Budget Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA 617-354-0484 / 1-888-802-STAR(7827) Your 2015 Annual Campaign 8 *Bill Goff www.aavso.org AAVSO Meetings About 1930–1940 9 Richard Sabo Rodney Howe In Memoriam 10 Science Summary: AAVSO in Print 12 Programs Mensaje del Director 14 *John Martin since these standing committees were established, Mensaje del Presidente 14 Roger Kolman the Governance Committee has undertaken one Dave Turner Thomas Cragg and the AAVSO American Relative Council self-evaluation and negotiated goals and Katrien Kolenberg Sunspot Number Index 1947–2010 16 an evaluation process for the new Director. The Arlo Landolt (JAAVSO-related issues) Governance Committee is also currently reviewing Reducing Systematic Errors in PEP Observations: the Bylaws and the Policies & Procedures Manual. Part 1. Transformations 17 Investment/Finance It additionally oversees such activities as making AA Tau 18 *Gary Walker sure clear instructions exist to guide the chair of Bill Goff the Nominating Committee in selecting the best Northern Hemisphere PEP Tune-Up 19 Doug Welch possible candidates for Council. Given its purview, Photoelectric Photometry Program Update 19 Joe Patterson the Governance Committee helps Council with its Looking at Legacy Stars 20 responsibilities of evaluating the chief executive (#3), AAVSO Observing Campaigns Update 22 But what exactly do these committees do? effective planning (#4), and building a competent board (#8). Julian Date/Moon Phase Calendars 27 The Governance Committee is responsible for working with the Director and the rest of Council The primary goal of the Programs Committee is to establish concrete goals for both the Director and to regularly assess existing programs. In 2013, Council. It should also regularly assess the Director this committee produced a comprehensive report and Council itself. In the relatively short time on AAVSO’s programs (based in large part on CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 2 The AAVSO Newsletter Number 64 April 2015
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