Transcript Your - AAVSO

www.CitizenSky.org
What is Citizen Sky?
What is Citizen Sky?
3-year citizen science project
organized by the AAVSO focusing on
the variable star, epsilon Aurigae
What is the AAVSO?
What is the AAVSO?
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 —
variable stars.
The “star” of our project…
epsilon Aurigae
The “star” of our project…
epsilon Aurigae
• Variable Star
The “star” of our project…
epsilon Aurigae
• Variable Star
• Eclipsing Binary
The “star” of our project…
epsilon Aurigae
• Variable Star
• Eclipsing Binary
• Variability first noted in 1821
The “star” of our project…
epsilon Aurigae
• Variable Star
• Eclipsing Binary
• Variability first noted in 1821
• Period of 27.1 years
The “star” of our project…
epsilon Aurigae
• Variable Star
• Eclipsing Binary
• Variability first noted in 1821
• Period of 27.1 years
• Eclipse lasts over 600 days
The “star” of our project…
epsilon Aurigae
Dr. Bob Stencel
Lead Scientist
Why is this a good object for an
IYA citizen science project?
• Good Timing!
Why is this a good object for an
IYA citizen science project?
• Good Timing!
• Bright
Why is this a good object for an
IYA citizen science project?
• Good Timing!
• Bright
• Lots of questions to answer
What will participants be doing?
Citizen scientists will be recruited and:
• Trained to observe and report data on eps Aur’s
brightness
What will participants be doing?
Citizen scientists will be recruited and:
• Trained to observe and report data on eps Aur’s
brightness
• Trained in variable star data analysis techniques
What will participants be doing?
Citizen scientists will be recruited and:
• Trained to observe and report data on eps Aur’s
brightness
• Trained in variable star data analysis techniques
• Mentored during data analysis
What will participants be doing?
Citizen scientists will be recruited and:
• Trained to observe and report data on eps Aur’s
brightness
• Trained in variable star data analysis techniques
• Mentored during data analysis
• Guided to write papers for JAAVSO
Our Tools:
• Web Site: www.CitizenSky.org
Our Tools:
• Web Site
• Planetarium trailer/Visualizations
Our Tools:
• Web Site
• Planetarium trailer/Visualizations
• Workshops
Our Tools: Workshops
• Aug 4-7, 2009
• Adler Planetarium
• eps Aur background, observing, EPO
• Spring 2010
• California Academy of Sciences
• Data analysis, scientific paper writing
Our Biggest Resource?
Our Biggest Resource?
Our Participants!
Our Biggest Resource?
Our Participants!
• Data
• Ideas/input
• Outreach
• Your specific skills
Our Goals:
• Help to answer questions about the system
• New interest in variables, astronomy, science
• Experience teamwork – scientific collaboration
• Participate in full scientific method
Organizations Involved:
• AAVSO
• Adler Planetarium
• California Academy of Sciences
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Denver
www.CitizenSky.org