[vsnet-chat 7236] AAVSO Visual Workshop 2005

[Mike Simonsen]

The time is drawing near, and I am getting geeked about our 2005 AAVSO
Visual Workshop, October 14-15.

The Friday session on advanced topics will feature Mike Linnolt talking
about the eyeball as photometer. I suggested this topic to Mike, knowing his
background on the subject, and he was eager to contribute his knowledge and
opinions for the workshop. I haven't seen Mike since the Hawaii meeting and
look forward to hearing his presentation and spending some time with him.

AAVSO has also arranged for one of the premier visual observers on the
planet to present a talk on his techniques and methodology. Sebastian Otero
will be making his first trip to the USA to give a talk on Friday. I hope
all of you who are interested in visual techniques and using online
resources like ASAS will get a chance to meet and pick the brain of a true
variable star fanatic, and a legendary visual observer.

Chaz Scovil will be talking about the (in)famous Clinton Ford and his
contributions to AAVSO and the chart making process. Chaz, a former
president of AAVSO, recipient of the AAVSO Director's Award and the AL's
Leslie Peltier Award, has been the most enduring and positive influence in
defining the format, content and style of AAVSO charts for some 30 years.

Another historical perspective will be given on Saturday, when David Levy
discusses Leslie Peltier and his contributions to astronomy and variable
star observing. David will be available to sign copies of his new book on
VSOing before his talk. Typical of the 'rock star of astronomy' status he
has achieved, David has to jet out of Boston immediately after his AAVSO
presentation to fulfill other obligations. Don't miss your chance to get a
signed copy of his new book!

Friday morning, another AAVSO first will occur, when Gary Poyner gives a
talk, via teleconference, on observing faint objects from the heart of
England. Gary is a member of the 100k+ observations club, a recipient of the
AAVSO Director's Award, and England's most prolific observer. Learn about
his techniques for observing faint objects from one of the most
light-polluted cities in England!

Glenn Chapel, who is a monthly contributor to Astronomy Magazine, will be
giving a talk that is open to the public, as are all the presentations on
Saturday, about the tips and tricks of observing variable stars and the
online resources AAVSO has to offer the beginner and advanced observers.

Gene Hanson, another Director's Award recipient and member of the 100k+
observers club, will be defining the rules of observing variables "according
to Gene". Gene was my AAVSO mentor when I began observing variable stars,
and I can tell you from personal experience that he is not only very wise
and scientifically correct, but totally humorous and entertaining. I can't
think of a better personality to show the way to those amateur astronomy
enthusiasts who might be ready to take the leap and actually 'contribute to
science'.

The best part of meetings like this is the chance to ask questions of the
experts in the field, and we will be _stacked_ with them. I expect we will
have extended Q&A sessions following both Visual Workshops, and encourage
all in attendance to "ask a stupid question". There are no real stupid
questions, so fire away! We will be ready for them all.

If you have a question you would like answered regarding the visual
observation of variable stars, and cannot attend the meeting next week,
please send it to me off-list at mikesimonsen at mindspring.com and I will do
my best to see it is answered at the workshop.

The workshop should be available in its entirety online at www.aavso.org
sometime this winter.

Regards,

Mike Simonsen


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C. E. Scovil Observatory
http://home.mindspring.com/~mikesimonsen/
AAVSO Chart Team
charts at aavso.org
CVnet Administrator
http://cvnet.aavso.org

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