Uploaded December 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
AAVSO HQ
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Flagstaff Membership Meeting 2018
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![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")
![AAVSO How to [compare DSLR, CCD, and CMOS cameras for photometry]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CRsoWsDH5vA/mqdefault.jpg "AAVSO How to [compare DSLR, CCD, and CMOS cameras for photometry]
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? https://www.aavso.org/2023-how-to-webinars
- Visit us at aavso.org")
