Serious Astronomy

[TrevorW]

Apart from general observing and imaging what serious astronomy can an amatuer do with modest equipment and a limited budget.

:help:

[Ric]

Off the top of my head.

Variable star observations and Supernova searches, which is what I do.

Cheers

[ngcles]

HI Trevor,

The first thing that springs to mind is variable star observing. With only a little practice, an hour or so a week and equipment as humble as a pair of 80mm binoculars, you can be making a valuable contribution to the collection of scientific data on dozens of stars which is then in turn used by professional astronomers to plot light-curves and work out what is making the star tick.

With an 6" telescope there are probably several hundred stars you can monitor, or if you want to, as few as you like -- its up to you. There are never enough observers and they are always looking for more -- particularly in the southern hemisphere. There are lots and lots of stars that are being either neglected or only infrequently observed.

The training is simple, the materials cheap (almost free in the context of amateur astronomy), you'll learn the sky better than you could believe possible and you can do it all from the backyard!

For more info, get in contact with the AAVSO or the Variable Star Section in NZ

http://www.aavso.org/

http://www.rasnz.org.nz/vss/vss.htm


Best,

Les D

[renormalised]

Photometry, Spectroscopy (limited), Planet hunting using the transit method, NEA hunting, Lunar transient phenomenon observations, K-E belt observations...the sky's the limit.

[Outbackmanyep]

Lunar and asteroidal occultations, either can be done visually, you don't need fancy equipment except for a suitable accurate time signal.

[Starkler]

Theres also meteor observing which entails no more equipment than a pair of eyeballs and a pencil and notebook to make a scientific contribution.

[TrevorW]

Been in contact with the Royal Astronomical Society of NZ there variable star observation group produce a CD for newbies interested in VSO for $5 plus p&h and you can pay via CC. So I'll await it's arrival and then hope to see if I too can contribute.

Thanks for the feedback :thumbsup:

[rogerg]

I've got great satisfaction from recording occultations of Pluto, even though my results, while useful apparently, have been fairly average.

[higginsdj]

Depends what you mean by modest equipment and budget - and - more importantly, how much time and effort you are willing to put into it (top notch, expensive equipment is not going to make you a 'serious' observer.)

Cheers

David

[ving]

NEO tracking?

[NQLD_Newby]

So Trevor, I'm interested to know how you got on with the CD? Does it have recomendations as to how much time is required to put into it? Did you find it useful, and have you done any obs etc as a result for the purpose of submitting the data? Am very interested as this is something I would like to contribute to, my biggest problem at the moment is time.

[jjjnettie]

There is a book called
"Real Astronomy with Small Telescopes".
You would find it very interesting.

You can download a .pdf copy from here
http://www.freebookspot.com/TopTen.aspx?Category_ID=96

[TrevorW]

Have the disk includes instructions and charts of variables implies as you get better at locating the task takes less time per star and more stars can be observed. Although due to iffy weather and full moons haven't had a chance to get into it

:thumbsup:

[AstroJunk]

http://www.youtube.com/user/astrojunk

http://occsec.wellington.net.nz/

You will have to join us doing occultation timing. It's very rewarding and scientifically valuable, but expect a lot of failures before you get to see one of these events. Video timing equipment helps, but there are plenty of observers who make great contributions with their superb visual observations.