[ATM] So you want to get involved in the science side of astronomy....

[Tom Krajci]

So you want to get involved in the science side of astronomy....

...but you don't have the sophisticated CCD rig (end experience, and dark
sky site, etc.) to collect good data.

Opportunity knocks!  See the email below from Arne Henden, the director of
the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
http://www.aavso.org/

Arne is a professional astronomer that for years has used the 1-meter
telescope at Flagstaff, Arizona, and is recognized as one of the best
photometrists in the world.  The data he takes is second to none.

But he has a problem.  Now that he's taken the directorship of AAVSO...he
doesn't have much time to analyze the data he's taken and publish papers.
That's where you come in!

You can contact Arne at arne at aavso.org

Good luck on your scientific journey!

(Please feel free to pass this to schools, astronomy clubs, and interested
individuals.)

-------------------------------------------
Tom Krajci
Cloudcroft, New Mexico
http://overton2.tamu.edu/aset/krajci/

Center for Backyard Astrophysics (CBA)
http://cba.phys.columbia.edu CBA New Mexico

American Association of Variable Star
Observers (AAVSO): KTC http://www.aavso.org/
-------------------------------------------


====================================================

Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2006 09:25:00 -0400
From: arne <arne at aavso.org>
Subject: [AAVSO-DIS] Arne's Stars
To: AAVSO-DIS <aavso-discussion at mira.aavso.org>
Message-ID: <450BFB2C.9070809 at aavso.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I'm referring to people, not objects, in this case!

I've been accumulating data for over 30 years, some published,
but mostly not.  At last count, I had about 100 projects for
which I had at least started data collection; most have all
of the data in-hand, but need extensive data reduction, analysis
and literature searching before being ready for publication.
These are almost exclusively variable-star projects, but
there are a few galaxies and odd-ball projects that distracted
me at times.

Such a collection deserves more attention than I'm able to
provide, especially since I have to run some organization
described with a bunch of initials. :-)

At my current productivity rate, it will take me the rest
of my career just to clean up the current backlog, much less
handle new projects or even guarantee publication since new
surveys are coming online all of the time with the potential
to "scoop" me.

Therefore, I'm looking for volunteers.  Let's call them
graduate students, for the lack of a better term, though
I really prefer Arne's Stars.

The ideal candidate would be computer literate, have a broadband
connection, be willing to work with iraf (available Mac or
Linux computer), be willing to use the scientific method and
to use or learn statistics, know something about using ADS, VSX
and other resources, have access to a plotting package capable
of making publishable plots, background knowledge about
variable stars, and with a strong desire to learn more.
Academic credentials are not necessary.  I've been known
to make exceptions to the above desired qualifications.

For each such candidate, I'll pick a few projects that might
be of interest.  You get to choose; you will get personal
attention to start and complete each project.  However,
expect to work unsupervised as long as you are making
progress. For most, a refereed publication will result,
with the candidate as a coauthor.

Applicants: please apply privately.  AAVSO members will
be given priority (an incentive to become a member?).

Arne



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