![AAVSO How to [Python! The basics] @AAVSOHQ](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7eMTgQuKGHA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Instructor: Lauren Herrington
This instruction is intended for people who have already installed Python: you can find a step-by-step guide to installing Python at the top of AAVSO's preparatory guide, Introduction to Basic Python: aavso.org/sites/default/files/AAVSO%20pdfs/AAVSO_Introduction_Python.pdf
2) We also recommend skimming through our preparatory guide (url is above).
Webinar description: An interactive session all about how to use Python for astronomy! We'll start by reviewing the very basics of Python, from variables to functions. Next, we'll cover simple usage of a few of the most popular packages for doing astronomy with Python, including live demonstrations of how to manipulate data using Astropy, make beautiful graphs using Matplotlib, and data mine massive remote datasets using Astroquery. This How to Python! session will feature even more interactivity than a typical How to Session, as our instructor, Lauren Herrington, will be taking questions throughout. As the first of three webinars in the AAVSO's How to Python! webinar series, this webinar will set the stage for broadcasts to follow on the topics of asteroseismology and stellar evolution models. Don't miss it!
Interested in participating in the live How-to sessions? aavso.org/2022-how-to-hours
Instructor: Lauren Herrington
This instruction is intended for people who have already installed Python: you can find a step-by-step guide to installing Python at the top of AAVSO's preparatory guide, Introduction to Basic Python: aavso.org/sites/default/files/AAVSO%20pdfs/AAVSO_Introduction_Python.pdf
2) We also recommend skimming through our preparatory guide (url is above).
Webinar description: An interactive session all about how to use Python for astronomy! We'll start by reviewing the very basics of Python, from variables to functions. Next, we'll cover simple usage of a few of the most popular packages for doing astronomy with Python, including live demonstrations of how to manipulate data using Astropy, make beautiful graphs using Matplotlib, and data mine massive remote datasets using Astroquery. This How to Python! session will feature even more interactivity than a typical How to Session, as our instructor, Lauren Herrington, will be taking questions throughout. As the first of three webinars in the AAVSO's How to Python! webinar series, this webinar will set the stage for broadcasts to follow on the topics of asteroseismology and stellar evolution models. Don't miss it!
Interested in participating in the live How-to sessions? aavso.org/2022-how-to-hours
![AAVSO How to [Python! The basics]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7eMTgQuKGHA/mqdefault.jpg "AAVSO How to [Python! The basics]
Instructor: Lauren Herrington
This instruction is intended for people who have already installed Python: you can find a step-by-step guide to installing Python at the top of AAVSOs preparatory guide, Introduction to Basic Python: https://www.aavso.org/sites/default/files/AAVSO%20pdfs/AAVSO_Introduction_Python.pdf
2) We also recommend skimming through our preparatory guide (url is above).
Webinar description: An interactive session all about how to use Python for astronomy! Well start by reviewing the very basics of Python, from variables to functions. Next, well cover simple usage of a few of the most popular packages for doing astronomy with Python, including live demonstrations of how to manipulate data using Astropy, make beautiful graphs using Matplotlib, and data mine massive remote datasets using Astroquery. This How to Python! session will feature even more interactivity than a typical How to Session, as our instructor, Lauren Herrington, will be taking questions throughout. As the first of three webinars in the AAVSOs How to Python! webinar series, this webinar will set the stage for broadcasts to follow on the topics of asteroseismology and stellar evolution models. Dont miss it!
Interested in participating in the live How-to sessions? aavso.org/2022-how-to-hours")
![AAVSO How to [Observe Variable Stars with Binoculars]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9fyFoeMIEX8/mqdefault.jpg "AAVSO How to [Observe Variable Stars with Binoculars]
AAVSO webinar originally broadcast Jan. 13, 2023
Instructor: Dr. Sherrill Shaffer
Webinar description: Visual observing is an easy way to make a valuable contribution to science, even if you dont have much time or cant afford a telescope. There are hundreds of variable stars visible to the naked eye, and tens of thousands visible with binoculars, meaning that youll 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
- Whats the best observing cadence?
- Equipment for observing
- Tips & tricks for better observing
Meet 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. Shaffers 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. Shaffers further reading document: https://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: https://www.aavso.org/10-star-training
- https://www.aavso.org/programs-events")
