AAVSO Membership Meeting 2024 AAVSO HQ 2024-11-11 | This is a recording of our 113th Membership Meeting, which was a hybrid meeting held on the morning of November 10th at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.Every year during our Annual Meeting, we hold a public Membership Meeting, where the activities of the organization over the past year are discussed, as well as its financial status, vital statistics, and more. An award ceremony also takes place.Agenda:00:00 Opening02:45 Opening Remarks and in memoriam04:40 Reading and Approval of 2023 Minutes & Secretary’s Report10:00 Treasurer’s Report22:00 JAAVSO Report32:40 Announcement of Board Election Results40:44 Membership Report56:54 Director's Report1:14:02 Awards1:32:32 [Break]1:38:10 [Testimonials] Celebrating Elizabeth Waagen2:20:00 [Break]2:27:21 Strategic Plan
Mapping Wide Binaries using Pulsation Timing Variations AAVSO HQ 2024-10-28 | Shishir Dholakia has been doing something exciting: using TESS light curves to accurately map the orbits of widely separated binaries. His secret? Pulsation Timing Variations, caused by the speed-of-light delay as each component swings through space. Join us on the cutting edge of research as Shishir offers an inside view into this novel project!*Timestamps:*00:00 Opening announcements00:00 Introducing Shishir Dholakia00:00 Presentation - Mapping Wide Binaries00:00 Q&A00:00 Closing announcements
Introduction to Exoplanet Observing AAVSO HQ 2024-10-24 | Interested in learning how to detect a planet orbiting a distant star? And doing so from your own backyard telescope? In this webinar, Dennis Conti provides an overview of the instrumentation, software, and processes required to detect exoplanets using the transit method. For astro-imagers in particular, the transition to exoplanet observing offers an opportunity to use your acquired skills and equipment to advance exoplanet research, while adding new excitement to your observing experiences.*Timestamps:*00:00 Opening announcements05:15 Introducing Dennis Conti07:06 Presentation - Exoplanet Observing01:25:55 Q&A with Dr. Conti01:35:21 Closing announcements
2024 Meet the Candidates Webinar AAVSO HQ 2024-10-07 | If you're an AAVSO member, this webinar is a must-watch! It's time for our annual elections, and we want you to know who you're voting for.This webinar is jointly hosted by Dr. Brian Kloppenborg (AAVSO Executive Director), Dr. Clay Sherrod (2024 Nominating Committee Chair), and Teja Begari (2024 Nominating Committee Member). In it, we share an introduction to the AAVSO's Board and its annual election process, pose a series of questions for the candidates, and relay your questions to the candidates.The list of candidates includes:James Bruce McMathMark HardakerMolly WakelingPrajval ShastriThomas J. MaccaroneDiogo TeixeiraReady to vote?On September 30, 2024, all AAVSO Members in good standing were emailed a link to vote in the election. Check your inbox! Voting ends on November 9 at 09:00 A.M. CST (15:00 UT).
Observe Exoplanets with Exoplanet Watch — Rob Zellem AAVSO HQ 2024-09-12 | Originally broadcast on August 10, 2024.In this webinar, Dr. Rob Zellem, an astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, first presented an overview of Exoplanet Watch. Exoplanet Watch is a citizen science project which allows people (even those without telescopes) to help researchers observe transiting exoplanets, ensuring that NASA resources such as Hubble and JWST are used efficiently. After introducing the project, Dr. Zellem then led a workshop demonstration of Exoplanet Watch's data reduction code, EXOTIC, before answering questions from the audience.*Timestamps:*00:00 Opening announcements03:24 Introducing Rob Zellem04:32 Presentation - Exoplanet Watch28:38 Questions35:20 Demonstration - EXOTIC54:10 Q&A with Dr. Zellem01:00:55 Closing announcements*Rob Zellem's* research focuses on the characterization of the atmospheres of exoplanets using both the transit and direct imaging methods. Rob is the Deputy Project Scientist for Communications for NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope where he is the primary liaison between the Roman Project Science team and Goddard's Office of Communications. He is also a member of the Roman Coronagraph Project Science team where he led the development of the science calibration plan.He is the Project Scientist and Lead for Exoplanet Watch, a citizen science project to observe transiting exoplanets to update their ephemerides to ensure the efficiency use of large telescope time. He is the Ground-Based Sub-working Group co-lead for Pandora, whereby he is coordinating ground-based observations to support both the operations and scientific interpretation of Pandora data. He is also a co-lead for NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) and a science team member for the NASA’s CASE contribution to ESA’s Ariel mission.*✩ Interested in attending a live AAVSO webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/webinars to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
Special webinar: The AAVSO-SNEWS campaign (ft. Alec Habig & Bert Pablo) AAVSO HQ 2024-08-20 | Originally broadcast on July 13, 2024.The AAVSO and the SuperNova Early Warning System team (SNEWS) are collaborating to monitor potential supernova progenitors. Because our targets are bright, broadly distributed across the sky, and accessible to many different methods of observing, this campaign offers an exciting opportunity to any interested observer.This webinar looks at the AAVSO-SNEWS campaign's progress to date, featuring talks from both Prof. Alec Habig (Co-Principal Investigator of SNEWS) and Dr. Bert Pablo (AAVSO's Staff Astronomer).*Alec Habig* is a professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota Duluth. As a PhD student at Indiana University, he volunteered to do some cool work in a fun place on a cosmic ray experiment at the Gran Sasso lab in Italy. Ever since then he's been doing particle astrophysics using experiments designed for particle physics, usually from underneath the mountains instead of on top of them like a proper astronomer.*Bert Pablo's* science interests are, unsurprisingly, in the realm of stellar variability in all its various forms. He has worked on spots, wind variability, oscillations, and even a possible planetary transit. However, his main passion has always been binary stars. He believes that binaries are crucial to our understanding of stellar evolution and believes every star should have one. For the most massive stars this is most likely the case, and as such he has brought his focus to these stars in more recent years.*View more information about the AAVSO-SNEWS campaign here:*aavso.org/snews-campaign
Meet the AAVSOs Spectroscopy, HEN, and PEP Sections AAVSO HQ 2024-08-19 | Originally broadcast on June 29, 2024.In this webinar, we began with a brief introduction to the AAVSO and its Section system.We next featured short talks from three different AAVSO Sections:- Spectroscopy- High Energy Network- Photoelectric PhotometryIf you enjoy stellar spectroscopy, you won't want to miss this introduction to the *Spectroscopy Section* (one of the AAVSO's most popular Sections). And, if the next galactic supernova has captured your imagination, you'll love to hear all about the *High Energy Network Section's* ongoing pro-am collaborations. Finally, those who are interested in unravelling the mysteries of the bright sky with unparalleled precision will be glad for the introduction from the *Photoelectric Photometry Section.*After all of the presentations, our talented Section Leaders stayed online for an extended Q&A session, answering many interesting questions from the audience.Timestamps:00:00 Opening announcements03:51 Introduction to the AAVSO & its Sections - Lauren Herrington11:55 High-Energy Network - Heinz-Bernd Eggenstein26:25 Photoelectric Photometry - Tom Calderwood42:29 Spectroscopy - Scott Donnell & Steve Shore58:48 Q&A with HB, Tom, Scott, and Steve01:23:38 How to get involved - Lauren Herrington01:25:40 Closing announcements*✩ Interested in attending a live AAVSO webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/webinars to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
Meet the AAVSOs CV, SPP, and AAVSOnet Sections AAVSO HQ 2024-08-14 | Originally broadcast on June 22, 2024.In this webinar, we began with a brief introduction to the AAVSO and its Section system.We next featured short talks from three different AAVSO Sections:- Cataclysmic Variables- AAVSOnet- Short Period PulsatorsIf recurrent novae make your heart beat fast, you'll find a place among friends in the *Cataclysmic Variables Section,* one of the AAVSO's most popular Sections. Meanwhile, those who prefer learning about cluster variables and High-Amplitude Delta Scutis will very interested in the *Short Period Pulsators Section's* ongoing research projects. And, if you like the sound of collecting unlimited data with 24" remote telescopes, you won't want to miss the presentation by the *AAVSOnet Section.*After all of the presentations, our talented Section Leaders stayed online for an extended Q&A session, answering many interesting questions from the audience.Timestamps:00:00 Opening announcements04:25 Introduction to the AAVSO & its Sections - Lauren Herrington11:20 AAVSOnet - Arne Henden23:48 Q&A with Arne33:25 Short Period Pulsators - Eric Hintz44:39 Cataclysmic Variables - Walt Cooney01:01:47 Q&A with Eric and Walt01:18:20 How to get involved - Lauren Herrington01:21:10 Closing announcements*✩ Interested in attending a live AAVSO webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/webinars to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
Meet the AAVSOs Exoplanet, YSO, and I&E Sections AAVSO HQ 2024-06-11 | Originally broadcast on June 8, 2024.In this webinar, we began with a brief introduction to the AAVSO and its Section system.We next featured short talks from three different AAVSO Sections:- Exoplanets- Young Stellar Objects- Instrumentation & EquipmentIf you enjoy observing exoplanets or monitoring protostars, you'll be very interested to hear about the ongoing studies conducted by the Exoplanet Section and Young Stellar Objects Section. And, if you're curious about smart telescopes, or looking to swap DIY equipment plans, the Instrumentation & Equipment Section is just the group for you.After all of the presentations, our talented Section Leaders stayed online for an extended Q&A session, answering many interesting questions from the audience.Timestamps:00:00 Opening announcements03:08 Introduction to the AAVSO & its Sections - Lauren Herrington12:09 Instrumentation & Equipment Section - Peter Bealo18:09 Young Stellar Objects Section - Mike Poxon28:07 Exoplanet Section - Dennis Conti40:17 Q&A01:00:00 T CrB - an aside01:03:43 How to get involved - Lauren Herrington01:04:55 Closing announcements✩ Interested in attending a live AAVSO webinar on Zoom? Visit aavso.org/webinars to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
Meet the AAVSOs Solar, EB, and LPV Sections AAVSO HQ 2024-06-02 | Originally broadcast on June 1, 2024.In this webinar, we began with a brief introduction to the AAVSO and its Section system.We next featured short talks from three different AAVSO Sections:- Solar Observing- Eclipsing Binaries- Long Period VariablesIf you enjoy learning about the Sun, eclipsing binaries, or long period variables, you'll be very interested to hear about how these AAVSO Sections are working to study these targets.After all of the presentations, our talented Section Leaders stayed online for an extended Q&A session, answering many interesting questions from the audience.*Timestamps:*00:00 Brian's Special Announcement01:28 Opening announcements04:25 Introduction to the AAVSO & its Sections - Lauren Herrington11:47 Long Period Variables Section - Mike Soukup31:36 Eclipsing Binaries Section - Kevin Alton48:45 Solar Section - Kris Larsen58:35 Q&A01:31:00 How to get involved - Lauren Herrington01:32:09 Closing announcementsHere is the link which Brian shared during his special announcement at the beginning:aavso.org/113*✩ Interested in attending a live AAVSO webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/webinars to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
Understand photometric transforms & filters with Brian Kloppenborg AAVSO HQ 2024-05-29 | Originally broadcast on May 11, 2024.Join our Executive Director, Dr. Brian Kloppenborg, as he traces the journey of light from the stars to our sensors.Brian's presentation explored the impacts which atmospheric transmission, telescope optics, and sensor technologies have on stellar photometric data, as well as how photometric filters and transformation processes serve to *standardize measurements* across observers.Brian also discussed the most common photometric systems used by amateur astronomers, presented transmission curves of a variety of commercially available filters, and shared how you can use transformation to *improve the quality of your photometry.*In true "How-To" fashion, we wrapped up with an extended Q&A session, diving into the nitty-gritty of photometry while answering questions from the audience.If you want to improve your photometric accuracy by transforming your observations, this video is a must-see!*Dr. Brian Kloppenborg* (Ph.D. Physics - Astrophysics Specialization) is an astrophysicist and entrepreneur. He earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Denver, and a B.A. in Physics from Hastings College. Prior to joining the AAVSO, Brian worked as a Research Scientist at Georgia Tech Research Institute, where he served as a subject matter expert, lead engineer, product owner, and project director on a variety of government programs. He also ran a small business that provided data science, machine learning, and GPU accelerated computing services. Brian's research interests include photometry, spectroscopy, astrometry, and long-baseline optical interferometry of eclipsing binaries, novae, and young stellar objects. His work is published in Nature, ApJ, JAAVSO, and similar scholarly journals.He became AAVSO Executive Director on September 16, 2022.*✩ Interested in attending a live AAVSO webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/webinars to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
Paula Szkody on Cataclysmic Variables — an overview AAVSO HQ 2024-05-14 | Originally broadcast on April 13, 2024.While all cataclysmic variables contain the same basic component stars (a white dwarf and a close companion), they vary widely depending on individual properties like magnetic fields, accretion state, evolution state and companion type.In this webinar, Prof. Paula Szkody described the photometric and spectroscopic behavior of various types of cataclysmic variables, detailing those which are well understood, and describing the observations which are still needed to complete our understanding of these fascinating systems.After her presentation, Prof. Szkody stayed online for an extended Q&A session, answering many thought-provoking questions from the audience.*Timestamps:*00:00 Opening announcements02:23 Introducing Prof. Paula Szkody03:58 Presentation - A Grand Tour of Capricious Cataclysmic Variables50:28 Q&A with Prof. Szkody01:22:46 Closing announcements*Prof. Paula Szkody* uses a multiwavelength approach to study close binary stars with active mass transfer (Cataclysmic Variables). Her current research involves ultraviolet observations with the Hubble Space Telescope as well as APO and ground-based optical facilities around the world. She is currently finding the faintest, lowest mass transfer CVs leading to insights into the nature of mass transfer and accretion onto magnetic and non-magnetic white dwarfs, accretion disks and their X-ray-emitting boundary layers, stellar coronae, and the effects of irradiation on the upper atmospheres of late-type secondary stars.Her work involves observations of all types of close binary systems involving mass transfer onto a white dwarf. This includes novae, dwarf novae, and novalikes which are all termed Cataclysmic Variables (CVs). The magnetism of the white dwarf determines if the mass flow from the low mass companion will be through an accretion disk, a curtain or a funnel onto the magnetic poles. The structure of the accretion flow as well as the underlying stars is determined from multiwavelength observations from X-ray through ultraviolet and optical to the infrared. Many of these objects are being discovered through ground-based surveys (SDSS, CRTS, iPTF) and followup takes place from space and ground to determine their specific types and how they fit into population models of close binary formation.*✩ Interested in attending a live AAVSO webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/webinars to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
Backyard astronomical spectroscopy with Bob Buchheim & Scott Donnell AAVSO HQ 2024-03-14 | Originally broadcast on March 9, 2024.In this interactive workshop, experienced spectroscopists Bob Buchheim and Scott Donnell provided an *overview of the field of amateur spectroscopy of variable stars.*Scott began with a general introduction, targeted at those that have been contemplating getting into spectroscopy, but want to know more before diving in. Bob then covered some of the basic terminology, providing a solid foundation for a general understanding of the field. Finally, Bob and Scott together addressed the question of whether amateur spectroscopy is scientifically valuable, and the types of investigations which an amateur spectroscopist can engage in.In true "How-To" fashion, we wrapped up with an extended Q&A session, answering many thought-provoking questions from the audience.If you're interested in astronomical spectroscopy, this video is a great place to start!*Timestamps:*00:00 Opening announcements03:02 Introducing Bob Buchheim & Scott Donnell06:02 Part 1 - Overview12:44 Break for questions18:17 Part 2 - Concepts & Terminology42:22 Break for questions48:47 Part 3 - The Value of Amateur Spectroscopy1:07:56 Q&A with Bob & Scott2:07:22 Closing announcements*Scott Donnell* began his journey in astronomy in elementary school and built his first telescope while in high school. He is an active member of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society, having served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Trustee. He currently serves as Co-Director for the Rocky Mountain Star Star and Deputy Director for the CSASTRO Long Range Planning Committee. Scott is also actively involved with the AAVSO, serving as the Lead for the Spectroscopy Observing Section.Scott received his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin and his M.S.in Astrophysics from the Pennsylvania State University. His astronomical interests include the application of scientific imaging techniques, including both photometry and spectroscopy, in understanding the physics of variable stars and gaseous nebulae.Scott also enjoys casual visual observing and still uses that telescope he built over a half-century ago!*Bob Buchheim* spent his daytime career as an aerospace engineer and program manager. In the evenings he has been the Secretary of the Orange County Astronomers, the President of the Society for Astronomical Sciences, and was a Board member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers. He was awarded the Western Amateur Astronomers’ G. Bruce Blair award in 2010. He spends most clear nights in his “Lost Gold Observatory”.He has published papers on engineering management, asteroid lightcurves, double stars, and other astronomical topics. He wrote The Sky Is Your Laboratory as a way of helping other amateur astronomers get started with small-telescope research; and a compilation of historically-important observing projects in Astronomical Discoveries You Can Make Too!*✩ Interested in attending a live AAVSO webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/webinars to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
Conny Aerts on asteroseismology — gravito-inertial, tidally tilted, & more AAVSO HQ 2024-02-16 | Originally broadcast on February 10, 2024.In this webinar, 2024 Crafoord laureate Prof. Conny Aerts began with the *basic principles of asteroseismology,* explaining its capacity to probe stellar interiors, as well as how its applications to sun-like stars and red giants support exoplanetary and galactic science.The second part of her talk focused on recent applications to stars rotating much faster than the Sun, including a discussion of how the new technique of *gravito-inertial asteroseismology* promises to estimate the internal rotation and chemical mixing deep inside stars, with major implications for stellar evolution.Finally, Prof. Aerts offered a peek at the frontier field of *tidal asteroseismology,* as well as the exciting future opportunities offered to this booming research field by the upcoming ESA PLATO space mission.After her presentation, Conny stayed online for an extended Q&A session, answering many thought-provoking questions from the audience.*Timestamps:*00:00 Opening announcements02:08 Introducing Conny Aerts04:18 Presentation - Asteroseismology55:20 Q&A with Conny01:31:20 Closing announcements*Conny Aerts* earned her PhD in astrophysics in 1993 from KU Leuven, where today she holds the title of Full Professor. She also leads the Chair in Asteroseismology at the Radboud University Nijmegen, and is External Scientific Member of the Max Planck Society.Conny's research covers stellar astrophysics, including stellar structure, stellar evolution, and variable stars. She is a pioneer of the field of asteroseismology, and in the days before precision space photometry was available, she developed rigorous mathematical methods to detect and identify non-radial stellar oscillations in high-resolution time-series spectroscopy. As Chair in Asteroseismology at the Radboud University Nijmegen, Conny has expanded into the topic of subdwarf stars, especially their binarity and pulsations, with her current focus on the development and exploitation of BlackGEM in tandem with gravitational wave studies. She is also heavily involved in the ESA space mission PLATO (2026+), as Belgian PI.10 days before this webinar, Conny was awarded the 2024 Crafoord Prize in Astronomy for her foundational contributions to the field of asteroseismology. Her pioneering work in asteroseismology also earned her the 2022 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics. Two of her many other accolades are the 2012 Francqui Prize and the 2020 5-year FWO Excellence Award; Conny was the first woman to receive either of these prestigious awards in Science & Technology since their creation in 1933 and 1960, respectively.*✩ Interested in attending a live AAVSO webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Ciencia Ciudadana AAVSO HQ 2024-01-26 | 20 de enero de 2024, con la Dra. Dra. Liliana Rivera Sandoval (Universidad de Texas Valle del Río Grande (UTRGV)Descripción de la charla: Si te interesa la fotometría de estrellas, la observación planetaria, la espectroscopía, y contribuir con la astronomía en general, sin necesidad de contar con equipamiento costoso, puedes hacerlo a través de projectos como Zooniverse, Gaia, y, por supuesto, la AAVSO. Descubre cómo.Biografía de la astrónoma invitadaLiliana Rivera Sandoval es profesora en el Departamento de Física y Astronomía de la Universidad de Texas Valle del Río Grande (UTRGV) en Brownsville, Texas. Estudió física en la BUAP, en Puebla, Mexico. La maestría en astronomía en la UNAM, y el doctorado en la Universidad de Amsterdam, en los Países Bajos. Posteriormente realizó postdoctorados en la Universidad Texas Tech y en la Universidad de Alberta en Canadá, donde fue la primer mujer Latinoamericana en recibir la beca postdoctoral Avadh Bhatia. Ha obtenido diversos premios en México y en el extranjero. En 2021 fue recipiente de la prestigiosa Beca Postdoctoral Gruber que otorga la Unión Astronómica Internacional. Sus áreas de investigación son las observaciones multifrecuencia de remanentes estelares (u objetos compactos) y eventos transitorios. Es investigadora principal de varios proyectos con telescopios espaciales de la NASA. Ha sido parte de comités de asignación de tiempo de observación en telescopios espaciales y terrestres. También está muy interesada en impulsar y promocionar el trabajo de las mujeres latinoamericanas y otras minorías en la ciencia a través de diferentes medios.aavso.org/cielo
How To: Introductory Photometry AAVSO HQ 2024-01-19 | Originally broadcast on January 13, 2024.We started the new year strong with a webinar on one of our most popular topics—photometry! From brand new beginners to old-timers looking for ways to improve their photometric precision, this session has something for everyone.During the broadcast, Walt Cooney walked through the process of photometric reduction, discussed important topics such as binning and choice of filters, and shared how you can maximize your photometric accuracy. He was then joined by Ken Menzies, and together they ran an extended Q&A session, providing expert advice on a wide range of questions about photometry.*Timestamps:*00:00 Opening Announcements03:25 Introducing Walt Cooney04:48 Introducing Ken Menzies06:01 Introductory Photometry presentation01:16:20 Q&A with Walt & Ken02:38:12 Closing announcements*Walt Cooney* is a newly-elected member of the Board, as well as the Co-Leader of the Cataclysmic Variables Section, and an experienced photometrist. As a longtime member of the Center for Backyard Astrophysics, he’s intimately familiar with matters of photometric precision. He helped found the Sonoita Research Observatory, and introduced the Madrona Peak Observatory into AAVSOnet, providing the network with two of its largest telescopes. You can read more about his accomplishments on our website: aavso.org/aavso-board-officers-and-members-walt-cooney*✩ Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.***SLIDE DECK:*** Walt has kindly provided a separate copy of his slide deck, for quick reference. You can view and download his slides here:aavso.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/WaltCooney_IntroductoryPhotometry_AAVSOWebinar_2024-01-13.pdf
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Exoplanetas AAVSO HQ 2023-12-21 | 16 de diciembre de 2023, con el Dr. Augusto Carballido (Baylor University/NSF/NASA)Descripción de la charla: Hasta hace unos 30 años no teníamos la certeza de que existieran planetas fuera de nuestro sistema solar. Sin embargo, hoy podemos confirmar que existen más de 5 mil planetas alrededor de otras estrellas. Estos planetas, llamados planetas extrasolares o exoplanetas, son asombrosamente diferentes a los ocho (nueve si contamos a Plutón) que conocemos desde la escuela primaria. Hay exoplanetas más grandes que Júpiter; algunos que le dan la vuelta a su estrella en unos cuantos días; y otros que incluso orbitan alrededor de dos estrellas. Los hay muy calientes y también muy fríos. Hay incluso exoplanetas que no tienen ninguna estrella alrededor de la cual girar y vagan solos a través de la oscuridad del espacio. Los astrónomos piensan que es posible que existan tantos exoplanetas en nuestra galaxia como el número de estrellas (miles de millones), o incluso más.Biografía del astrónomo invitado:Augusto Carballido estudió física en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), y un doctorado en astronomía en la Universidad de Cambridge, en Reino Unido. Ha trabajado como investigador postdoctoral en el Laboratorio de Propulsión a Chorro (JPL) de la NASA, en el Instituto de Astronomía de la UNAM, y en la Universidad de Texas en Austin. Actualmente es Profesor Investigador Asistente en la Universidad de Baylor, en Texas. Es Investigador Principal del Programa de Astronomía y Astrofísica de la Fundación Nacional de la Ciencia de Estados Unidos (NSF). Es Co-Investigador del Programa Mundos Emergentes (Emerging Worlds) de la NASA. Ha sido panelista de la NASA para la selección de proyectos de investigación y miembro del Sistema Nacional de Investigadores del Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de México. Tiene experiencia como comunicador de la ciencia en eventos públicos (Asociación Americana para el Avance de la Ciencia, Sociedad Astronómica de Texas en Dallas, Universidad Internacional de Texas A&M, Noche de las Estrellas en México, Astronomy on Tap ATX).aavso.org/cielo
How to observe in the city AAVSO HQ 2023-12-05 | Originally broadcast on December 2, 2023.Not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to dark skies and secure observatories. With light pollution on the rise and nosey neighbors around every corner, what's an aspiring citizen scientist to do? Answer: *Science!* With a little ingenuity, it's possible to observe even in the brightest inner-city environment: a fact which our Executive Director, Dr. Brian Kloppenborg, knows only too well. As practiced as he is at doing science from his balcony, it's only fitting that he joined us to share his experience with observing from urban environments, and provide advice and techniques for making the experience more productive. Highlights of his talk included:- The impact of light pollution, and science you can do in spite of it- Finding a safe place to observe—legally!- Observing with extremely limited horizons- Convincing your HOA to allow you to do astronomy- The rapidly changing landscape of smart telescopes- The possibility of a mobile observatory setupAfterwards, in true How-To fashion, we hosted an extended interactive Q&A, answering a wide variety of questions about all things urban observing.Don't miss this special, series-end webinar!*✩ Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Exploración Planetaria - Misiones Espaciales AAVSO HQ 2023-11-24 | 18 de noviembre de 2023 con el Dr. Edgard G. Rivera-Valentín (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory)Descripción de la charla:El cielo nocturno ha inspirado y motivado a muchas personas a soñar con las infinitas posibilidades que se encuentran más allá de nuestras fronteras globales. Esta pasión llevó a la humanidad a alcanzar las estrellas sólo 60 años después de aprender a volar por primera vez. Ahora acabamos de comenzar a desentrañar los misterios de nuestro propio vecindario planetario y hemos aprendido que debemos desafiar nuestras nociones preconcebidas del universo. En esta charla vamos a explorar esta evolución del pensamiento científico tal como ha sido navegado con misiones espaciales y soñaremos juntos sobre lo que nos espera en el futuro.Biografía del astrónomo invitado:Edgard Rivera-Valentín es científico de ciencias planetarias en el Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Sus investigaciones se centran en aplicaciones para la defensa planetaria mediante la caracterización de objetos cercanos a la Tierra con observaciones de radar, y para la protección del planeta mediante la caracterización de la habitabilidad planetaria a través de estudios de salmueras. Ed es miembro del equipo del instrumento de radar a bordo del Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, y miembro de las misiones Near-Earth Object Surveyor Mission y OSIRIS-APEX.aavso.org/cielo
Special webinar: AB Aur AAVSO HQ 2023-11-21 | Originally broadcast on November 19, 2023.In our recent AAVSO Alert Notice #842, we announced the continuation of an ambitious, year-long effort to investigate what appears to be an actively accreting protoplanet within AB Aur's circumstellar disk. By combining observations from the Hubble Space Telescope with ground-based photometry and spectroscopy, Dr. Lauren Biddle hopes to use accretion light echoes to confirm or refute the existence of the protoplanet. To do this, she needs the support of the AAVSO, and our talented photometrists and spectroscopists.During this special webinar, Dr. Lauren Biddle and Walt Cooney presented their initial findings of AB Aur's variability from the first observing season, pitched their requests for photometry and spectroscopy, and answered a large number of practical questions, such as "What bandwidth of filter is best for H-alpha photometry?" and "Which comp stars should I use, and why?".If you are at all interested in observing AB Aur, we encourage you to watch this video to ensure that your observations are effective in achieving the goals of the campaign.You can view the associated AAVSO Alert Notice #842 here:aavso.org/aavso-alert-notice-842
112th Membership Meeting AAVSO HQ 2023-11-14 | This is a recording of our 112th Membership Meeting, which was a hybrid meeting held on the morning of November 5th at the Row Hotel in Somerville, Massachusetts.Every year during our Annual Meeting, we hold a public Membership Meeting, where the activities of the organization over the past year are discussed, as well as its financial status, vital statistics, and more. An award ceremony also takes place.Agenda:00:00 Opening01:35 Welcome and in memoriam03:53 Reading and Approval of 2022 Minutes & Secretary’s Report08:54 Treasurer’s Report20:30 JAAVSO Report30:19 About the AAVSO Board32:11 Announcement of Board Election Results34:15 Membership Report53:00 Director's Report1:32:52 Awards
How to DIY your own astronomy equipment AAVSO HQ 2023-10-29 | Originally broadcast on October 28, 2023.If you’ve ever built something, you know the sense of satisfaction that comes from using something you made with your own two hands. Whether you’re working with a kit or designing from scratch, building your own astronomy equipment can be a means to save money, a way to fully customize your gear to your specific needs, and an enjoyable pursuit in its own right. In this webinar, we sought to promote the ingenuity of our community of DIYers, and maybe even inspire your next project.*Meet the instructors:*- *Michael Rapp* is a visual observer. He shared his homemade binocular mount which he uses for easy weeknight variable star observing.- *Tim Stone* is a spectroscopist. He shared his driveway observatory made from repurposed wood.- *Tony Rodda* is a spectroscopist. He shared his experiences with various 3D-printed spectrograph designs.- *Dr. Brian Kloppenborg* is Executive Director of the AAVSO. He shared his design for a DIY all-sky camera.*✩ Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: ISS y Artemis AAVSO HQ 2023-10-27 | 21 de octubre de 2023 con el Dr. José Miguel Hurtado, Jr. (UTEP)Descripción de la charla: Han pasado más de 50 años desde que la última misión Apollo llevó humanos a la Luna. La NASA ahora está avanzando con el programa Artemis que pondrá a los próximos humanos en la superficie lunar, incluídas la primera mujer y la primera persona de color. La misión Artemis I, un vuelo de prueba sin tripulación del cohete Space Launch System, voló con éxito a fines de 2022. Impulsada por esa exitosa misión, la misión Artemis II llevará a los próximos humanos a la Luna en 2024. Aunque esa tripulación no aterrizará, allanarán el camino para el alunizaje de Artemis III en 2025, una misión que iniciará un programa sostenido de exploración humana y, eventualmente, el asentamiento de la superficie lunar en la década de 2030 y más allá. En esta presentación, el Dr. Hurtado hablará sobre los fundamentos científicos para regresar a la Luna, lo que dejamos sin aprender de Apollo y qué nuevas oportunidades existen ahora para profundizar nuestra comprensión de la Luna. También hablará sobre cómo la NASA se está preparando para enviar humanos a pisar la Luna con Artemis III y dará una visión general de cómo podría ser esa misión.Biografía del astrónomo invitado: José Hurtado es profesor en el Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas de la Universidad de Texas en El Paso (UTEP), al que se unió en 2002 después de completar una beca posdoctoral en el NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. El Dr. Hurtado obtuvo su Ph.D. en geología en Massachusetts Institute of Technology y su M.S./B.S. en geología en California Institute of Technology. Sus intereses de investigación incluyen la geología terrestre y la teledetección, centrándose en el oeste de los EE. UU. y el Himalaya, así como en la ciencia planetaria. Su trabajo en ciencias planetarias incluye estudios de detección remota de la Luna, así como trabajos en entornos analógicos que investigan las herramientas y técnicas para la exploración de la superficie planetaria con humanos y robots. Desde 2008, el Dr. Hurtado se ha desempeñado como instructor en varias actividades de capacitación de la NASA, incluida la capacitación de campo en Ciencias Planetarias y de la Tierra para astronautas de la NASA. Durante 2014-2015 se unió al equipo de operaciones de Virgin Galactic como instructor de astronautas y también trabajó en los sistemas de cabina SpaceShipTwo y en tareas de ingeniería de soporte vital. Actualmente es miembro de los comités ejecutivos del Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) y el Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC) y está involucrado en varios esfuerzos relacionados con el programa Artemis, incluidos los estudios de campo analógico, la capacitación de la tripulación de Artemis y el potencial objetivos científicos para las misiones Artemis.aavso.org/cielo
How to use Astropy & Astroquery AAVSO HQ 2023-10-17 | Originally broadcast on October 7, 2023.In this How-To webinar, Dr. Matt Craig showed how you can leverage the power of Astropy to perform fundamental astronomy tasks in Python.Astropy is both a Python package and an ecosystem of related packages meant to provide the nuts and bolts for doing astronomy with Python. It includes tools for representing times and coordinates, and for representing FITS filter and data tables, along with tools to process those things. Astroquery is a part of the Astropy ecosystem which provides a consistent interface to a very wide range of data sources — things like Gaia, TESS, and Kepler data, as well as any data table in the Vizier system (including APASS DR9!). After a little bit about installation, we’ll do some short examples using both Astropy and Astroquery. All of the Python will be in Jupyter notebooks.*Matt Craig* is a professor of Physics and Astronomy at Minnesota State University Moorhead, a small state university in western Minnesota. He has been a contributor to Astropy since 2013, and is one of the primary authors of the ccdproc package for calibrating data. He spends way too much time working in Jupyter notebooks, but does enjoy turning every problem into a Python problem.*✩ Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.***SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS:*** Dr. Craig has kindly provided copies of the Jupyter notebooks which he demonstrated during the webinar. You can view these useful code references at the following link: github.com/mwcraig/aavso-astropy-howto-2023
Meet the candidates for our 2023 Board election AAVSO HQ 2023-09-25 | Originally broadcast on September 23, 2023.*If you're an AAVSO member, this webinar is a must-watch!* It's time for elections, and we want you to know who you're voting for.In this webinar, hosted by Dr. Brian Kloppenborg (AAVSO Executive Director) & Dr. Joyce Guzik, we shared an introduction to the AAVSO's Board and its annual election process. Dr. Guzik then interviewed the full slate of candidates for the upcoming FY24 election:- Walt Cooney [Texas, USA]- Matt Craig [Minnesota, USA]- Eric Hintz [Utah, USA]- Mark Munkacsy [Rhode Island, USA]- Diogo Teixeira [Massachusetts, USA]Finally, the candidates answered questions submitted by the audience.*Ready to vote?*On September 1, 2023, all AAVSO members in good standing were emailed a link to vote in the election. _Check your inbox!_ Voting ends on November 5 at 09:00 A.M. EST (14:00 UT).For more information on this year's candidates, the election process, and how to cast your vote, please visit our webpage: aavso.org/2023-board-candidates
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Ciencia Espacial - Parte 2 AAVSO HQ 2023-09-20 | 16 de septiembre de 2023, con la Dra. Yari Collado-Vega (NASA)Descripción de la charla: En esta presentación, mostraremos los objetivos de la Oficina de Análisis de Meteorología Espacial de la Luna a Marte (Moon to Mars-M2M) de la NASA, localizada en Goddard Space Flight Center, que ofrece apoyo al Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG) de la NASA con actividades de exploración humana en apoyo al programa Artemis. Hablaremos de la importancia del análisis de la meteorología espacial, el trabajo desarrollado durante este tiempo, y pasos futuros para las próximas misiones.Biografía de la astrónoma invitada: La Dra. Yaireska (Yari) Collado-Vega nació en Ponce, Puerto Rico. Se doctoró con honores en Física del Espacio en la Universidad Católica de América, en Washington DC, en enero de 2013. Recibió su Licenciatura y su Maestría en Física de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, en Mayagüez, en 2004 y 2007 respectivamente, y una segunda Maestría de la Universidad Católica de América en mayo de 2010. Es directora de la Oficina de Análisis de Meteorología Espacial de la Luna a Marte (Moon to Mars-M2M) de la NASA, y ex-líder del Equipo de Pronósticos de Meteorología Espacial del Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC). Las investigaciones de Collado-Vega se enfocan en la interacción del viento solar con el campo magnético de la Tierra, eventos de partículas solares energéticas y análisis en tiempo real de la meteorología espacial. También trabaja en la validación de modelos solares y magnetosféricos y en los desarrollos actuales en las capacidades del aprendizaje automático para mejorar el análisis y los pronósticos de la meteorología espacial. Además, lleva a cabo educación y divulgación al público para la NASA y la División de Ciencia Heliofísica, incluyendo eventos en redes sociales y entrevistas en vivo en radio y televisión para aumentar el conocimiento de la ciencia heliofísica y de la meteorología espacial en inglés y español. Ha dado muchas charlas en conferencias nacionales e internacionales. Ha sido parte de la familia de la NASA por 19 años.aavso.org/cielo
Special webinar: Recurrent Nova T CrB Coming Soon to a Sky Near You! AAVSO HQ 2023-09-11 | Originally broadcast on September 9, 2023.In this special broadcast by the AAVSO Cataclysmic Variables Section, Dr. Brad Schaefer discussed the history of the famous recurrent nova T CrB, the latest research into its unusual behavior, and the expected details of its imminent eruption. He also detailed specific ways for amateurs to contribute to the study of this historic event, before answering a wide assortment of audience questions.*Dr. Brad Schaefer,* Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at LSU, is a renowned astronomer who contributes across many areas including supernova cosmology, novae, recurrent novae, gamma ray bursts, solar system astronomy, and the history of astronomy. He is also a long-time friend and supporter of both the amateur astronomer community and the AAVSO. You can learn more about Dr. Shaefer's work on his LSU faculty page: https://www.lsu.edu/physics/people/faculty/schaefer.php*✩ Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
How to do variable star outreach AAVSO HQ 2023-09-11 | Originally broadcast on May 6, 2023, this webinar featured two presentations:*"Demonstrating Real-time Photometry"* by Gary Hawkins — "The demonstration of real-time photometry to astronomers and the public offers a powerful and seldom-seen outreach opportunity. This talk describes the equipment and software used to provide such demonstrations at the Julian StarFest, Julian CA in August 2022. Real-time light curve plots were provided on a large screen monitor of the W UMa variable, V796 Cep. With a period of 9.43119 hours, it was possible to see the divergence between the V796 Cep and the comparison star light curves in relatively short order. Members of the public were fascinated by the thought of two stars orbiting each other in such close proximity, and that amateur astronomers could make meaningful contributions to the scientific world."*"Spectroscopy Outreach in Astronomy Club"* by Patrick Kavanagh — "My hands-on introductory course in Astronomical Spectroscopy covered the history of spectroscopy from Fraunhofer on, and took a look at each Spectral Class, O, B, A, F, G, K, and M, with sample easy-to-find stars. I covered techniques for using a Diffraction Grating with a Canon DSLR camera, and ran a data reduction workshop using the RSpec software."_*Meet the instructors:*_*Gary Hawkins* spent most of his career in the telecommunications industry, facilitating the design and build of mobile phone networks worldwide. However, Gary loves to experiment with new projects; most notably, he’s run a fitness company, written two books, participates in HAM Radio competitions, and since retirement, is an avid astronomer. About four years ago, he became a visual observer using a secondhand Orion XT8 dob, quickly moved to Electronically Assisted Astronomy, and then, after taking an exoplanet course, now focuses on photometry. Gary is a CMOS photometry mentor for the AAVSO, a Member of the San Diego Astronomy Association, and holds a Ph.D. In Satellite Communications from the University of Bristol, England.*Patrick Kavanagh* was born in Philadelphia, and has been a Mexican resident since 1972. He’s an active member in the Centro Astronómico Clavius, and he took a course in astrophotography at Iberoamericana University in 2018. In June 2020, he began practicing low resolution diffraction grating spectroscopy. He assisted with the 2020 AAVSO Spectroscopy Workshop, and joined the AAVSO, through which he received training in photometry. In June 2022, he founded the Copernicus Club, where he offers weekly talks. From October to December 2022, he gave a spectroscopy course to the Copernicus Club.*✩ Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
How to model isochrones using images of star clusters AAVSO HQ 2023-09-11 | Originally broadcast on April 29, 2023.Star clusters have been described as ideal astrophysical "laboratories" because differences between the stars within them can be attributed completely to variations in initial mass. Students are drawn in by the alluringly beautiful images of the clusters, and are excited to construct lovely color images of them. This in turn motivates them to learn about some of the (equally stunning!) physics which can be revealed by the colors in their image. It is a rewarding marriage of art and science!*Kalée Tock* earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Harvard University, and an M.S. from the Stanford University Department of Chemistry. She then earned a second Master's degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from the Stanford School of Education. She has been a science instructor at Stanford Online High School for 11 years, teaching Astronomy for the most recent 6 of those years. She now teaches three different Astronomy courses there: Astrophysics, Astrobiology, and an Astronomy Research Seminar.*✩ Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
How to use the AAVSO Target Tool AAVSO HQ 2023-09-04 | Do you know which stars most urgently need to be monitored right now? It’s a tricky question, but the AAVSO Target Tool (now hosted by the AAVSO and greatly revised) is here to help. In this webinar, Mark Sproul leads a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of the Target Tool. After a general introduction to the Target Tool and how to use it, we take a closer look at its various interfaces, the data which it contains, and how you can access that data, both manually and programmatically.
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Ciencia Espacial - Parte 1 AAVSO HQ 2023-09-01 | 19 de agosto de 2023, con la Dra. Marialis Rosario-Franco (CU Boulder)Descripción de la charla: El sistema solar es nuestro hogar en la galaxia que habitamos, La Vía Láctea. Sostenido por la gravedad del Sol (nuestra estrella anfitriona), el sistema solar se compone de objetos espaciales que poseen una diversidad de estructuras y propiedades físicas.En esta charla, haremos un recorrido por el sistema solar, comenzando con la estrella que nos mantiene en órbita, el Sol, y continuando en un viaje a través de los planetas, sus lunas, el cinturón de asteroides y los cometas, hasta la nube de Oort. Exploraremos cada componente en el contexto de su formación y evolución. También discutiremos estudios que han sido clave para lograr importantes descubrimientos sobre cuerpos del sistema solar a través de la aplicación del método científico.Biografía de la astrónoma invitada: La Dra. Marialis Rosario-Franco completó su doctorado en Física con la Universidad de Texas en Arlington. Simultáneamente, realizó un internado en el National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), donde fue becada pre-doctoral Gröte Reber. Actualmente es profesora en la Universidad de Colorado Boulder donde imparte clases de astrofísica, dirige programas de divulgación científica para la comunidad hispana y realiza investigación en ciencias planetarias y educación. Su investigación planetaria se centra en el estudio de la dinámica orbital de sistemas planetarios con enfoque en interacciones electromagnéticas entre lunas y planetas, tanto en el Sistema Solar como en sistemas extrasolares. Sus investigaciones en educación han sido dedicadas a visibilizar el trabajo de estudiantes de Física de comunidades subrepresentadas, mostrando cómo el aislamiento racial o étnico en sus departamentos puede impactar sus carreras. La Dr. Rosario Franco es apasionada con respecto a la divulgación y la comunicación científica, ya que provee acceso a audiencias que tradicionalmente han sido excluidas del proceso de la ciencia, fomentando la igualdad de oportunidades en el campo.aavso.org/cielo
2023 Summer Section Webinar - AAVSOnet, HEN, I&E, and LPVs AAVSO HQ 2023-08-09 | In this special webinar, we will spotlight the leaders of four of our Sections. If you’re interested in any of these topics: AAVSOnetHigh-Energy NetworkInstrumentation & EquipmentLong Period Variablesthen this webinar is for you!Dr. Brian Kloppenborg, the AAVSO’s Executive Director, will be our host. Joining him will be four of our talented volunteer Section Leaders: Arne Henden, Heinz-Bernd Eggenstein, Peter Bealo, and Mike Soukup.This is a perfect opportunity to learn about Sections: what are they, and what benefits can you get from joining one?
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Agujeros Negros y Ondas Gravitacionales AAVSO HQ 2023-07-29 | 22 de julio de 2023, con el Dr. Sebastián Gómez (Space Telescope Science Institute)Descripción de la charla: Los agujeros negros son unos de los objetos más misteriosos del universo. Existen dos tipos de agujeros negros: los relativamente pequeños que pesan lo mismo que varios soles y se forman en una supernova, la explosión final que termina la vida de una estrella, y los agujeros negros super-masivos, que pueden ser millones o billones de veces más pesados que el Sol y existen en el centro de las galaxias. Por décadas los científicos se preguntaron si estos misteriosos objetos podrían ser reales, o si simplemente eran producto de una teoría matemática. Hoy en día sabemos que son reales, gracias a varios métodos que los astrónomos usamos para observar agujeros negros y sus efectos. Hace más de 50 años se detectó la primera evidencia de un agujero negro, cuando los astrónomos observaron un sistema binario llamado Cygnus X-1, en el que un agujero negro se veía consumiendo poco a poco a su estrella compañera. No fue hasta 2016 cuando el Observatorio de Ondas Gravitatorias por Interferometría, o LIGO por sus siglas en inglés, detectó la colisión de dos agujeros negros. Y finalmente, en 2019, el Telescopio del Horizonte de Sucesos (EHT) logró tomar la primera imagen de un agujero negro. A pesar de todo lo que hemos aprendido acerca de ellos, todavía nos falta mucho para entender su estructura, cómo se forman y cómo acaban.Biografía del astrónomo invitado: Soy un becario postdoctoral en el Space Telescope Science Institute, donde divido mi tiempo entre trabajar con objetos transitorios exóticos y el Roman Space Telescope. Hace poco me gradué con un doctorado en Astronomía de la Universidad de Harvard, donde trabajé en el descubrimiento y clasificación de supernovas exóticas, particularmente en el estudio óptico de supernovas superluminosas y eventos de disrupción de marea, como así también en técnicas de aprendizaje automático para encontrar estos objetos más eficientemente. Soy nacido en Ciudad Juárez, México. Fui a un colegio de la zona y me gradué de la Universidad de Texas en El Paso, con una Licenciatura en Física en 2015. Cuando estaba en la UTEP, me focalicé en el estudio de binarias de rayos X, especialmente en el descubrimiento de nuevas binarias de rayos X con agujeros negros en la galaxia. En mi tiempo libre me gusta dedicarme al tiro con arco y a la fotografía.aavso.org/cielo
2023 Summer Section Webinar - EBs, SPPs, Solar, and Spectroscopy AAVSO HQ 2023-07-18 | In this video Dr. Brian Kloppenborg, Executive Director of the AAVSO, holds a discussion with the leaders of the Eclipsing Binary (EB), Short Period Pulsator (SPP), Solar, and Spectroscopy Section leaders. They discuss what their sections do, how to get involved, and answer some of the audience's questions.
2023 Summer Section Webinar - CVs, Exoplanets, PEP, and YSOs AAVSO HQ 2023-07-10 | In this video Dr. Brian Kloppenborg, Executive Director of the AAVSO, holds a discussion with the leaders of the Cataclysmic Variables (CVs), Exoplanet, Photoelectric Photometry (PEP), and Young Stellar Object (YSOs) section leaders. They discuss what their sections do, how to get involved, and answer some of the audience's questions.
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Física Galáctica AAVSO HQ 2023-06-30 | 17 de junio de 2023, con la Dra. Aida Wofford (Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)Descripción de la charla: Mi charla incluirá los siguientes temas: un resumen acerca de lo que son las galaxias; una breve historia de su estudio; una descripción de las características de los diferentes tipos de galaxias; información acerca de nuestra propia galaxia, la Vía Láctea; algo de lo que sabemos acerca de la formación y evolución de las galaxias; y razones por las cuales son importantes para entender el universo y nuestro lugar en él.Biografía de la astrónoma invitada: Obtuve mi doctorado en Astrofísica en la Universidad de Oklahoma (Estados Unidos) en 2008. Después de eso hice dos postdoctorados, uno en el Space Telescope Science Institute (EEUU, 2009) y otro en el Instituto de Astrofísica de París (Francia, 2013). Ahora soy Profesora Titular de Astrofísica en la universidad pública más importante de México (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, 2016-presente). También soy miembro del consejo directivo de la división de Galaxias y Cosmología de la Unión Astronómica Internacional. Mi trabajo de investigación en este momento se centra en estrellas masivas, poblaciones de estrellas masivas y galaxias con formación estelar (en especial las cercanas).aavso.org/cielo
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Física Extragaláctica - Cosmología AAVSO HQ 2023-06-06 | 20 de mayo de 2023, con el Dr. Ezequiel Treister (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile)Descripción de la charla: En esta charla haremos un breve recorrido por la cosmología, desde las primeras ideas pre-científicas hasta nuestros modelos más avanzados, que incluyen tanto materia como energía oscura. Revisaremos las observaciones y datos que dan sustento y desafían nuestro conocimiento actual, en particular deteniéndonos en el descubrimiento de la expansión del Universo, y por lo tanto del Big Bang, la Radiación de fondo, expansión acelerada, etc. Para finalizar, veremos un resumen de todo lo que hemos aprendido y conocemos hasta ahora respecto a nuestro lugar en el Universo, su pasado, presente y futuro, para concluir revisando todo lo que nos falta aún por conocer, y como esperamos lograr significativos avances en los próximos años.Biografía del astrónomo invitado: El Dr. Ezequiel Treister es Profesor Asociado en el Instituto de Astrofísica de la Facultad de Física de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Obtuvo su doctorado en Astronomía en el programa conjunto de las Universidades de Chile y Yale en 2005, trabajando bajo la supervisión de la Profesora Meg Urry. Más tarde fue becario postdoctoral en el ESO, con tareas en el VLT entre 2006 y 2008, y becario postdoctoral de Chandra/Einstein en el Instituto de Astrofísica de la Universidad de Hawaii entre 2008 y 2011. Luego fue designado Profesor Asociado en la Universidad de Concepción en Chile, hasta marzo de 2016, cuando comenzó a trabajar en la Universidad Católica. El trabajo de investigación del Prof. Treister se focaliza en la formación y el crecimiento de los agujeros negros supermasivos, sus mecanismos desencadenantes, y su conexión con la evolución de las galaxias. A lo largo de su carrera, al Prof. Treister se le han otorgado cientos de horas de tiempo de observación, combinando datos de rayos-X, ópticos, infrarrojos, y de ondas submilimétricas, entre otros. El Prof. Treister ha sido co-autor de más de 180 publicaciones revisadas por pares, y citado más de 12.000 veces, con un índice H de 62. Fue Presidente de la Sociedad Astrónomica Chilena entre 2015 y 2017 y es actualmente el sub-Director del Centro de Excelencia en Astrofísica y Tecnologías Afines, CATA, el centro de investigación astronómica con fondos gubernamentales más grande de Chile, con ~60 investigadores principales y asociados entre sus miembros, ~30 becarios postdoctorales y más de 100 estudiantes graduados.aavso.org/cielo
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Física Estelar AAVSO HQ 2023-06-06 | 15 de abril de 2023, con la Dra. Olga Inés Pintado (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán - CONICET)Descripción de la charla: En esta charla hablaremos acerca de dónde y cómo nacen las estrellas, y mencionaremos a las casi estrellas y estrellas con planetas. Aprenderemos acerca de la estructura de las estrellas, su interior y sus atmósferas. Veremos cómo es su evolución y su muerte. Finalmente veremos cómo se las observa.Biografía de la astrónoma invitada: La Dra. Olga Inés Pintado es Dra. en física por la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. Investigadora del CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas). Directora del Centro Interdisciplinario de Astronomía, Ciencias Espaciales y Ciencias Básicas de la Universidad de San Pablo Tucumán. Investigador Visitante en diferentes observatorios y universidades de Argentina y del exterior, entre ellos, el Departamento de Astronomía y Ciencias Espaciales de la Universidad de Ankara, Turquía; Ingatianum University de Cracovia, Polonia; Observatorio Vaticano, Castelgandolfo, Italia; Observatorio de Moletei, Lituania; Observatorio Astronómico de Viena, Austria; Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; Mount Graham International Observatory, Arizona, USA, y otros. También ha sido Investigador Invitado del Max Planck Institut für Astronomie, Heidelberg, Alemania, y Profesor Titular de la Universidad Nacional de San Juan entre 1986 y 1997. Ha publicado más de 80 trabajos en temas de Astrofísica Estelar, Física Ionosférica y Enseñanza de la Física. Y ha presentado más de 200 trabajos e informes invitados en congresos en el país y en el exterior. Olga ha dirigido numerosos proyectos de investigación focalizados en el estudio de estrellas químicamente peculiares.aavso.org/cielo
How to use AAVSOnet to remotely observe variable stars AAVSO HQ 2023-04-11 | Originally broadcast April 1, 2023AAVSOnet is a global network of remote telescopes which any AAVSO member can use! With observatories in every hemisphere, and telescopes ranging from 4" to 24" in size, AAVSOnet gives AAVSO members the ability to collect precision photometry of almost any star brighter than 18th magnitude. This webinar begins with a tutorial showing you how to use AAVSOnet to get data of your own targets, presented by AAVSO Board Member Dr. Arne Henden. Following are three top users of AAVSOnet, each with an example of an exciting project you can tackle using AAVSOnet. We wrap up with a Q&A session from the live Zoom webinar audience. If you're not familiar with AAVSOnet, and want to learn a bit about it before the webinar, visit aavso.org/aavsonetThe presenters:Dr. Arne Henden has been the driving force behind AAVSOnet since its founding in 2005, and personally oversaw the commissioning of many of its telescopes. There's no better person to ask about the ins and outs of AAVSOnet!Enrique Boeneker has spent three years using AAVSOnet to study AS Cas, a multimode classical Cepheid.Frank Schorr continually uses AAVSOnet to monitor a wide selection of long period variables, including W Cas and T Cep.Phil Sullivan has spent several years using AAVSOnet to study a number of variable stars close to NGC 7790.Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom? Visit aavso.org/2023-how-to-webinarsTo find out more about AAVSO or get involved, visit us at aavso.org
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Introducción a la Astronomía, Parte 2 AAVSO HQ 2023-03-25 | 18 de marzo de 2023, con el Dr. Ricardo Salinas (CONICET)Descripción de la charla: Lejos están los días de solitarios astrónomos en montañas remotas. El día a día de un observatorio moderno implica el trabajo de mucha gente con diversas capacidades y especialidades, muchos de ellos incluso trabajando muy lejos de los telescopios! En esta charla cubriremos los siguientes temas: ¿Cómo operan los observatorios modernos? ¿Qué tipo de instrumentación usan? ¿Qué tipos de objetos observan?Biografía del astrónomo invitado: Ricardo Salinas es astrónomo y trabaja como Científico Asociado en el Observatorio Gemini Sur en Chile, luego de posiciones postdoctorales en Finlandia y USA. Actualmente es el científico encargado del interferometro speckle Zorro, así como del espectrógrafo infrarrojo de alta resolución, IGRINS. Sus intereses científicos deambulan entre dinámica de galaxias, multiplicidad estelar, cúmulos globulares y variabilidad estelar.aavso.org/cielo
La Ciencia del Cielo para Principiantes: Introducción a la Astronomía, Parte 1 AAVSO HQ 2023-03-25 | 11 de marzo de 2023, con la Dra. Mayra E. Lebrón Santos (Universidad de Puerto Rico – Recinto de Río Piedras)Descripción de la charla: En esta charla se presentarán conceptos básicos de cómo observar el cielo nocturno a simple vista. Se hablará de las constelaciones, mapas celestes, brillo de las estrellas. Además se mostrarán algunas estrellas y objetos interesantes y las mejores maneras de identificarlos en el cielo nocturno. Se debatirá también sobre el problema de la contaminación lumínica y las maneras en las que todos podemos contribuir para minimizarlo.Biografía de la astrónoma invitada: La Dra. Mayra Lebrón es astrónoma puertorriqueña y profesora de ciencias físicas en la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras. Allí imparte cursos de educación general en ciencias para estudiantes de todas las carreras. Sus áreas de investigación se centran en el estudio de las regiones de formación estelar y el impacto que tienen sobre su nube materna, y colabora en estudios sobre las galaxias en el universo cercano y las estructuras a gran escala que forman. A demás de la enseñanza y la investigación, tiene un gran compromiso con el servicio a la comunidad. Para ello coordina las actividades de divulgación de la ciencia del Proyecto Universitario de Comunicación de la Ciencia en su universdad. Es miembro de la Unión Astronómica Internacional, y la Coordinadora Nacional para la divulgación de la astronomía en Puerto Rico (IAU-NOC-Puerto Rico). aavso.org/cielo
How to Automate Your Rig: A panel discussion AAVSO HQ 2023-03-11 | Originally broadcast March 4, 2023.Webinar description: Are you tired of babysitting your telescope? This webinar is for you! In this hour-long panel discussion, we will discuss both the big picture (“What do I need to set up a remote observatory?”) and the minutiae (“Will X software support Y camera?”). Conversation will center on the question at the forefront of everyone’s minds: “How can I set my telescope up for automatic photometry?” This will be a highly interactive event, with lots of opportunities to ask questions. Come prepared by thinking up your best questions ahead of time!Our panel includes four leading experts on observatory automation:Peter Bealo, leader of the AAVSO Instrumentation & Equipment Section, and an experienced amateur astronomer.Stefan Berg, creator of N.I.N.A., a free and open-source software for automating telescopes, observatories, and accessories. Bob Denny, originator of the ASCOM Initiative, and developer of the automation software ACP Expert, whose AI scheduler is used by the AAVSO Photometric All-Sky Survey (APASS) to automatically observe a thousand square degrees per night.Alan Sliski, an inventor who consults for advanced amateur astronomers, conducting observatory design and automation.Participate in the next one: aavso.org/2023-how-to-webinarsGet involved in AAVSO: aavso.org
AAVSO How to [compare DSLR, CCD, and CMOS cameras for photometry] AAVSO HQ 2023-03-03 | Originally broadcast Feb. 4, 2023. Webinar description: The discussion is catered to an audience who is familiar with acquiring images and the basics of image calibration using bias, dark and flat frames. MaximDL is used for analysis of the images that are used in this session, and VPHOT for the photometry.In this webinar, Mark compares the basic characteristics of DSLR, CCD and CMOS cameras for stellar photometry by analyzing a set of images of T Cep taken with each type of camera on the same telescope. The emphasis is on the practical consequences of the different characteristics: noise, resolution, sensitivity, etc.The T Cep images were taken over several years, as Mark moved from one camera to the next. He also mentions some quirks and challenges he has encountered over the years while learning to use these cameras.Meet your instructor: Mark de Jong (AAVSO observer DJX) took his first, and only, astronomy course at university more than 50 years ago. However, he did not start actively observing until 2006, with variable stars as his main interest. After contributing over 1,000 visual observations on Long-period variables (LPVs), he moved on to DSLR, CCD, and then CMOS cameras for photometry, while continuing to primarily observe LPVs. Recently, he has served as an AAVSO Mentor for new DSLR and CMOS observers. He has a background in the physics of particle accelerators and has worked in government laboratories, universities, and the private industry.- Want to attend a How-to live on Zoom with us? aavso.org/2023-how-to-webinars- Visit us at aavso.org
AAVSO How to [Observe Variable Stars with Binoculars] AAVSO HQ 2023-01-14 | AAVSO webinar originally broadcast Jan. 13, 2023Instructor: Dr. Sherrill ShafferWebinar description: Visual observing is an easy way to make a valuable contribution to science, even if you don't have much time or can't afford a telescope. There are hundreds of variable stars visible to the naked eye, and tens of thousands visible with binoculars, meaning that you'll never run out of fascinating targets to keep an eye on.A few of the topics covered:- Why should you make visual observations of variable stars?- Which variable stars should you observe?- How to get and use charts- How to make an estimate of your target’s brightness- How to record and report your observations- What's the best observing cadence?- Equipment for observing- Tips & tricks for better observingMeet your instructor: Sherrill Shaffer has contributed more than 24,000 visual observations to the AAVSO’s database, most of them using binoculars. He also plays an important role in AAVSO’s data validation process and is an AAVSO Mentor to other visual observers. Shaffer's Ph.D. is from Stanford University, and he has held affiliations with the Federal Reserve, the University of Wyoming, and the Australian National University. He is a retired economist who has been an amateur astronomer for more than 30 years, and an active variable star observer since 2009. Useful links: - Dr. Shaffer's further reading document: docs.google.com/document/d/12NFLk15lSZD6-_b6kmCfDXzw5hH2N2ItXZ8R3ofDB_4/edit?usp=sharing- 11-star tutorial for southern hemisphere observers and 10-star tutorial for northern hemisphere observers: aavso.org/10-star-training- aavso.org/programs-events
AAVSO How to [Python! Visualizing MESA models with TULIPS] AAVSO HQ 2023-01-05 | AAVSo webinarInstructor: Eva Laplace (Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies--HITS)Please note: Dr. Laplace has provided links for you to download and install Tulips prior to her presentation: aavso.org/sites/default/files/education/presentations/How-toTulip_Instructions_12.22.pdfIn this third How to Python! broadcast, Dr. Eva Laplace will teach attendees how to use her Python package, TULIPS, to visualize MESA models. MESA models track the changing temperature, radius, composition, and structure of stars as they evolve, making them valuable tools for stellar researchers; but they are famously difficult to use. TULIPS makes it easy to visualize complex information, allowing you to create beautiful plots and animations showing the changes a star will undergo during its lifetime. Knowledge of basic Python is recommended. Attendees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with TULIPS ahead of time: pypi.org/project/astro-tulipsOur previous How to Python webinars will help you become familiar with Python:The basics: youtube.com/watch?v=7eMTgQuKGHA&list=PLnZ_rvnR35rfGTaq4g3kzVOfkna1JeDyX&index=7&t=2sFinding Frequency Solutions for Variable Star Light Curves: youtube.com/watch?v=ZhtHBkbTuWY&t=3sJoin us for our 2023 webinars!www.aavso.org/programs-events
Las Estrellas a tu Alcance: Binarias de Enanas Blancas AAVSO HQ 2023-01-03 | Seminario web de AAVSO, con el Dr. Manuel Pichardo-Marcano: Binarias de Enanas Blancas: Sirenas de Ondas Gravitacionales y Laboratorios EstelaresLas enanas blancas son el remanente estelar más común del universo. Estos fascinantes objetos, también llamados objetos compactos, tienen masas comparables a la masa de nuestro Sol, pero contenidas en el radio de la Tierra.En esta charla les contaré de estos fascinantes objetos compactos, cuando son parte de un sistema binario, es decir, un sistema estelar compuesto de dos estrellas que orbitan mutuamente alrededor de un centro de masa común. En particular, les hablaré de cómo observatorios espaciales como Kepler y TESS han revolucionado el estudio de las curvas de luz de estos objetos. También les contaré cómo podemos encontrar y estudiar estas binarias compactas entre millones de estrellas en cúmulos estelares.El Dr. Pichardo-Marcano es originario de Santo Domingo, República Dominicana, y actualmente está realizando un post-doctorado como investigador en el Museo Americano de Historia Natural de Nueva York. Antes estuvo en la Texas Tech University (TTU), donde completó su doctorado bajo la supervisión de Thomas Maccarone y Liliana Rivera Sandoval, trabajando en la Variabilidad de binarias enanas blancas y otros objetos compactos. Se unió a TTU después de terminar su maestría en astronomía en la Universidad Paul Sabatier III en Toulouse y su licenciatura en física de la Universidad Estatal de Utah.www.aavso.org
Las Estrellas a tu Alcance: Variabilidad en estrellas químicamente peculiares AAVSO HQ 2022-12-01 | Seminario de web AAVSO con la Dra. Olga Pintado.Cuando se habla de variabilidad en estrellas se piensa en la variación en el brillo que puede tener distintos orígenes. Sin embargo, pueden presentar variabilidades en otros parámetros físicos. Las estrellas químicamente peculiares pueden ser variables en su composición química superficial. Hace tiempo que se conocían estas variaciones, pero con la llegada de los grandes telescopios y de los detectores cada vez más sensibles, se descubrió que muchas de estas estrellas tienen variabilidades químicas. ¿Hay estrellas de este tipo que no tengan variabilidades? Analizaremos cómo se detecta una variabilidad en la composición química superficial, y cuáles son sus posibles causas y si estas estrellas son variables en brillo.La Dra. Pintado es Dra. en física por la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. Investigadora del CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas). Directora del Centro Interdisciplinario de Astronomía, Ciencias Espaciales y Ciencias Básicas de la Universidad de San Pablo Tucumán. Investigador Visitante en diferentes observatorios y universidades de Argentina y del exterior, entre ellos, el Departamento de Astronomía y Ciencias Espaciales de la Universidad de Ankara, Turquía; Ingatianum University de Cracovia, Polonia; Observatorio Vaticano, Castelgandolfo, Italia; Observatorio de Moletei, Lituania; Observatorio Astronómico de Viena, Austria; Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; Mount Graham International Observatory, Arizona, USA, y otros. También ha sido Investigador Invitado del Max Planck Institut für Astronomie, Heidelberg, Alemania, y Profesor Titular de la Universidad Nacional de San Juan entre 1986 y 1997. Ha publicado más de 80 trabajos en temas de Astrofísica Estelar, Física Ionosférica y Enseñanza de la Física. Y ha presentado más de 200 trabajos e informes invitados en congresos en el país y en el exterior. Olga ha dirigido numerosos proyectos de investigación focalizados en el estudio de estrellas químicamente peculiares.aavso.org/2022-seminarios-web
Las Estrellas a tu Alcance: Agujeros negros y estrellas de neutrones de binarias de rayos-X AAVSO HQ 2022-12-01 | Seminario de web AAVSOcon la Dra. Montserrat Armas Padilla: Agujeros negros y estrellas de neutrones habitando en binarias de rayos-XLas estrellas nacen, crecen, se reproducen y mueren. Sin embargo, los cadáveres que dejan tras de sí las estrellas masivas al morir, agujeros negros o estrellas de neutrones, mantienen una actividad de lo más intensa e interesante. En particular, aquellos que cohabitan con una estrella compañera, una estrella como nuestro Sol, pueden pasar un post-mortem bastante ajetreado. Estos sistemas, que llamamos Binarias de Rayos-X, nos permiten estudiar estos enigmáticos objetos compactos, así como investigar la Física de la acreción, la forma más eficiente de convertir masa en energía.La Dra. Arma Padilla: natural de las Islas Canarias, trabaja actualmente en el Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (España). Tras licenciarse en Física en la Universidad de La Laguna (Tenerife) y trabajar en el Departamento de Física Aplicada de la misma, se marchó a Holanda para llevar a cabo su tesis doctoral en la Universidad de Ámsterdam. Ha disfrutado de estancias postdoctorales en diferentes instituciones como la Universidad de Kioto (Japón), el Instituto Max Planck (Alemania) y la Universidad de Oxford (Reino Unido), siempre dedicada al estudio de estrellas de neutrones y agujeros negros mediante datos de rayos-X.aavso.org/2022-seminarios-web
111 MembershipMeeting AAVSO HQ 2022-11-16 | During AAVSO's Annual Meeting, we hold our Membership Meeting, where the activities of the organization over the past year, its financial status, statistics, and more, are discussed. In 2022, awards were also presented. aavso.org
AAVSO How to [Python! Finding Frequency Solutions for Variable Star Light Curves] AAVSO HQ 2022-10-12 | AAVSO webinar, originally broadcast Oct. 1, 2022.This is the second session in a three-part series. Basic knowledge of Python is assumed. If you've never used Python before, we recommend installing it and watching AAVSO's recording of the first session ("The Basics" youtube.com/watch?v=7eMTgQuKGHA) before watching this one.Many stars vary in brightness at one or many frequencies. Measuring these frequencies reveals valuable information about the physical properties of the observed systems. This tutorial demonstrates how to measure the frequencies (or periods) of variation in light curve data with the interactive Python package Pyriod. The tutorial will introduce periodograms, significance testing, and the iterative prewhitening algorithm for fitting signals to the data. Attendees will benefit from previous experience with light curves and Python, but this is not required to follow the presentation.Dr. Bell works with time series photometry from surveys like TESS, Kepler, and the Zwicky Transient Facility. Dr. Bell is the author of the Python package "Pyriod for prewhitening frequency analysis of time series astronomical data."
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