Quote:
Originally Posted by Suzy
Hi all,
I am seriously looking into getting into variable star observing. I see that my favourite and my most observed star, Eta Carina is on the watch list for volunteers. It has been at the back of my mind for a while now due in part to an Astronomer at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium trying to convince me to do so, not so long back. Then last week I ordered David Levy's book "Observing Variable Stars", to learn more, as I am clueless! Then, on the weekend, I picked this months copy of AS&T- and there it was - a big feature on the same subject. The article makes it very clear that there is a demand for variable star observers and how important this job is. The article even concludes with a list of links to contact. Seems this path is trying to attract me! I have a burning desire to contribute to Astronomy, as so many of you do so magnificiently already- through important works of astrophotography, visual observing, and knowledge alike. I'm forever blown away and amazed at how much amateurs contribute!
I have read the VSS website, but I don't know what I'm getting into really, so am looking to find out more. Does anyone here do this? How difficult is it? Have you had some great moments, or maybe not so great ones. I would love to hear it all, please!
Many thanks for taking the time to help me, 
Regards,
Suzy. |
I worked with a guy here at he Bureau of Meteorology, Bruce Sumner, who was heavily into it, and he introduced me to trying it out. I found it extraordinarily difficult estimating magnitudes visually. One of those things where you really have to love it, and practice.