Hi, Greetings to all the experienced and the new explorers,
An idea has been proposed that October 2016 be dedicated as the Month of Spectroscopy, in raising the awareness and interest in this technique, from the basic level to Pro-Am contributions, for all amateur or field observers.
This can be in Australia and NZ, but it is applicable anywhere else and encouraged –especially in the southern hemisphere.
Is there something you or your organisation can do during October? Please share the news or ideas here.
Current examples are:
Astrofest Siding Spring Observatory starts the month, on the 1st, with two talks on Astronomical Spectroscopy by Prof Andy Sheinis (AAO). Snake Valley Astrocamp spectroscopy workshop would probably have preceded this, at the end of Sep.
A small local workshop is being planned, TBC, for interested members of the ASV, MPAS and Mt. Burnett (Vic) and any others who get in touch. Another at a planning stage is in NSW.
Following 2 introductory articles “Colour Codes from the Stars”, Part 3 will be submitted to Astronomy Societies in Australia and NZ as a shared resource for their newsletters.
10 ideas to please consider:
- Can you view and show other members and the public star spectra, visually? Perhaps supplement these with a poster or a real-time graphical display. Would you explain to them how spectra are used in astronomy (share the explanation on IIS perhaps like for wikipedia)? Will this very basic foundation to astronomy be a regular feature for members, outreach and group viewings?
- Would you include ‘Spectral Targets’ in your ‘Sky for the Month’ and in your sky tours?
- Would you give or organise a practical demonstration or workshop or a videoconference or a screening of videos? Can you advertise widely? Can you include neighbouring astronomy societies and non-members?
- Can you arrange for a speaker (-remember your skilled members)? Or can you give a talk? Would you post a link to your presentation slides? Can you write and submit an article?
- Will you make an instrument or accessory –for own use, for sale, or sharing how to?
- If you’re a supplier, an award giver, a philanthropist, or mass media can you support in some ways?
- If you have a venue, can you make it available for a workshop or a videoconference?
- Can you make some artistic form with spectra and submit for publication or competition?
(Example ideas in http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=147392)
- Can you create some sharable or purchasable resources e.g. posters, webpages, audio-visuals, a sorted list with short descriptions of southern sky targets?
- If not already, would you explore the technique? Can you take spectral images and share out for (trial) processing? Can you process and share results? This can be as a team’s joint effort for learning or for real.
Please start something. Any activity or availability please tell us about it, or suggest here what else could be considered.
(For why we should do this please see, as examples
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=148507
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=148692
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=148731
Pro-Am Spectroscopy in the Southern hemisphere http://nacaa.org.au/2016/event/1484 )
It is hoped that we as a community will enjoy
a colourful and scientific October!
Team Southskyscience
(field astronomer volunteers in Australia)
Anyone who can help or wish to enquire off-line please pm.