Author: Richard Tenney Date: To: Utah-Astronomy, uvaa Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Fw: Citizen Sky Workshop on epsilon Aurigae
FYI
--- On Thu, 5/21/09, aavso@??? <aavso@???> wrote:
> From: aavso@??? <aavso@???>
> Subject: Citizen Sky Workshop on epsilon Aurigae
> To: retenney@???
> Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009, 10:55 AM
>
> We would like to invite you (or anyone you would like to
> forward this information on to) to apply for the first
> Citizen Sky workshop on epsilon Aurigae.
>
> Citizen Sky is a new citizen science project spearheaded by
> the American Association of Variable Star Observers
> (AAVSO.) For the next 3 years the project will focus
> on the very interesting, very bright variable star, epsilon
> Aurigae. This eclipsing variable is not very well
> understood. It has an eclipse every 27.1 years and is
> due for one to begin this summer - just in time for the
> second half of the International Year of Astronomy! We
> will be holding a workshop on epsilon Aurigae and the
> Citizen Sky project in early August at the Adler Planetarium
> in Chicago. It is very likely that we will have travel
> grants available for workshop participants. The first
> round of participant selection will take place in early
> June.
>
> For more information or to apply for the workshop, please
> visit: www.citizensky.org > Please send any questions to: aavso@???
>
> We hope to see you at the workshop!
>
> =========================================
> A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AAVSO
> AND THE CITIZEN SKY PROJECT...
> ==============================
> The American Association of Variable Star Observers
> (AAVSO)
> www.aavso.org >
> The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
> is a non-profit worldwide scientific and educational
> organization of amateur and professional astronomers who are
> interested in stars that change in brightness Ñ variable
> stars. The AAVSOÕs mission is: to observe and analyze
> variable stars; to collect and archive observations for
> worldwide access; to forge strong collaborations between
> amateur and professional astronomers; and to promote
> scientific research and education using variable star
> data. Please visit our website to learn more about
> variable stars, the AAVSO, and how you can get involved.
>
> Read on to learn about the new citizen science project that
> the AAVSO is spearheadingÉ
> =============================
> The Citizen Sky Project
> www.citizensky.org >
> Who are citizen scientists? Volunteers, many of whom have
> no prior scientific training, who work with trained
> scientific researchers to answer real-world questions.
> This means YOU!
>
> About the Citizen Sky Project on epsilon Aurigae:
> Epsilon Aurigae (eps Aur) is a bright star located in the
> constellation Aurigae, the charioteer. At 3rd magnitude the
> star is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye even
> in the most light polluted cities. It is well placed for
> observing in the fall, winter, and spring skies (in the
> early summer it is hidden by the Sun's glare).
>
> Every 27.1 years the star goes into an eclipse that lasts
> approximately one and a half years. Then, near the
> very end of the eclipse, it suddenly gains most of its
> brightness back in a matter of weeks. Even after over 175
> years of scrutiny, no one knows why this happens. The
> next eclipse of eps Aur is predicted to begin in August
> 2009. We need you to help us collect data so that we can
> better understand this star. Because the star is very
> bright, it can be observed by anyone regardless of
> background, training, or equipment: with just good eyesight
> and a finder chart, you can monitor this eclipse.
>
> The AAVSOÕs Citizen Sky project welcomes anyone who has an
> interest in participating! We will guide you through the
> process of how to observe eps Aur, how to send us your
> observations of the star, how to see your results, analyze
> them, and even publish them in a scientific journal!! No
> previous experience is required. We hope that this will be
> the largest citizen science project in modern history that
> involves real, active research!
>
> - Website: Our new web page will be launching in June
> 2009. This site will serve as the Òhome baseÓ for
> anyone interested in participating in this project.
> The new Citizen Sky website will include blogs, discussion
> forums, a place to submit and analyze data, training
> materials, plus much more, so come visit us in June!
> In the meanwhile, visit www.citizensky.org for project
> announcements and information.
>
> - Workshops: The first Citizen Sky Project Workshop will be
> held Wednesday-Friday, August 5-7, 2009 at the Adler
> Planetarium in Chicago. We will kick-off the 3-day workshop
> with an opening reception the evening of August 4. The
> ÒstarÓ of this workshop will be epsilon Aurigae. We are
> assembling an impressive group of experts to lead sessions
> on topics such as: an introduction to the Citizen Sky
> Project, the science of epsilon Aurigae, observing epsilon
> Aurigae (visual and photometric), public outreach using the
> Citizen Sky Project, using the Citizen Sky Project in the
> classroom, and an introduction to basic data analysis. We
> are also planning a planetarium show and possible closing
> star party.
>
> It is very likely that in the coming weeks we will have
> travel grants available for workshop participants. Travel
> grants/workshop slots are only available for those who
> commit to spread the word about this project in their local
> community.
>
> If you are interested in attending please complete the
> application no later than June 1, 2009 for consideration in
> the first round of participant selection. Individuals
> applying by June 1 will be contacted with results by June
> 5.
>
> Applications received after June 1, 2009 will be considered
> to fill any remaining slots or added to a waitlist. Those
> applying after June 1 will be contacted within 1 week of
> application.
>
> There will be a second workshop focusing on data analysis
> and scientific paper writing at the California Academy of
> Sciences in San Francisco during the spring of 2010.
>
> - Observations/Analysis: Epsilon Aurigae is an ideal target
> for those interested in learning how to observe variable
> stars. By following the Ten Star Tutorial available on our
> website, a new observer will be trained in the technique
> needed to make and report a visual variable star
> estimate. Information on taking digital observations
> of epsilon Aurigae will be available on the Citizen Sky
> website. The AAVSO is developing data analysis software,
> which will come with tutorials to help train participants in
> the basics of astronomical data analysis. A special edition
> of the peer-reviewed Journal of the AAVSO will be dedicated
> to papers written by project participants.
>
> - Education and Public Outreach: The brightness of the star
> provides a rare opportunity to engage the general public in
> citizen science. Participants are needed to help write
> newsletter and newspaper articles, prepare talks and slide
> shows, develop artwork, to give talks and participate in
> other forms of community outreach. Teams of interested
> participants with complementary skill sets are being
> assembled right now (ex: teaming up a science writer with an
> illustrator) and will continue to be assembled throughout
> the project.
>
> Everyone can play a role in the Citizen Sky Project!
> Get involved and discover yours.
