The AAVSO Professional Astronomer Survey of 2013
Introduction
The AAVSO Professional Astronomer Survey of 2013 is the last of three surveys, which completes the
preliminary benchmarking for the AAVSO, where Total Quality Management (TQM) techniques could be used to
help assess the products, services and activities of the organization. Survey responses and opinions from
professional astronomers have provided insight into these aspects of the AAVSO, as well as an assessment of
Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT analysis) of the organization. The survey results and
comments have also identified problem areas of the organization and could be a source of agenda items and
problem solving topics for AAVSO Leadership and Council.
The Survey
The survey was largely written by AAVSO member Kevin Paxson (PKV) with input from AAVSO Staff (Arne
Henden, Matthew Templeton and Rebecca Turner). The survey was coded into Survey Monkey (Lauren
Rosenbaum) and a solicitation for professional astronomer participation was communicated on the AAVSO
Facebook page on February 11, 2013 and the AAVSO web site as a “News” item on Sunday, February 24, 2013.
The survey was also communicated by the websites of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific on February 6,
2013 and the American Astronomical Society (the AAS on February 15, 2013), as well as by email to members of
IAU Commission 27 (Variable Stars) via President Karen Pollard. The survey was closed on Monday afternoon,
April 15, 2013.
A total of 148 responses were received, but two of the 148 respondents were found to be amateur astronomers,
therefore, 146 is the “official number” of survey responses. These amateur responses of were deleted from the
survey and their input was not utilized in the subsequent survey analysis. No one respondent answered all of
the Survey Items due to the specific wording of questions (for example, “If you have used or are familiar with ‘X,’
please rate the following statement...”). However, the overall question response rate was good and there was
an abundance of submitted comments, which will allow for suggestions and improvements to be generated.
The survey is comprised of 28 Survey Items, some of which have a corresponding comments or suggestions
section. Some Survey Items were demographic in nature, while other were simple “Yes and No” questions or
numerically based quality questions, based on a scale of 10 to 0. Please note that some Survey Items had many
“no responses.” In those cases, “gross” (including the “no responses”) and “net” (excluding the “no responses”)
statistics were given. The raw responses for each of individual survey question and associated comments were
captured and are located in the Appendix. The survey results are present herein and each Survey Item is
reviewed individually.
Survey Item 1
“Which statement best describes you professionally?”
“I am currently: an academic professional, a government researcher, an industrial professional in an
astronomy-related field, a private researcher or other (please specify).”
There were 145 responses (99.32%) to this Survey Item and one individual (0.68%) did not reply. Academic
professionals were the major group of survey responders (net 70.06%), followed by Other (net 12.74%),
Government researchers (net 9.55%), Private researchers (net 5.10%) and Industrial professionals (net 2.55%).
Most individuals in the “Other” category were “retired” (10 of 18 or 55.55%), with the remainder serving as staff
or secondary educators. 20 comments are given in the Appendix.
Profession
Academic professional
Other
Government researcher
Private researcher
Industrial professional
No response
Totals
Count
102
18
14
8
4
1
146
Gross %
69.18
12.33
9.59
5.48
2.74
0.68
100.00
Net %
70.06
12.74
9.55
5.10
2.55
0.00
100.00
Figure 1. Profession of the survey respondents.
Survey Item 2
“Please indicate which term best describes you: an observer, a data miner or a theoretician.”
There were 145 responses (99.32%) to this Survey Item and one individual (0.68%) did not reply (“none of the
above”). Most of the respondents considered themselves to be “Observers” (net 75.86%), followed by “Data
Miners” (net 13.79%), and “Theoreticians (net 10.34%). No comments were solicited.
Classification
Observer
Data miner
Theoretician
None of the above
Totals
Count
110
20
15
1
146
Gross %
75.34
13.70
10.27
0.68
100.00
Figure 2. Classification of the survey respondents.
Net %
75.86
13.79
10.34
0.00
100.00
Survey Item 3
“The country where I work and reside is:”
There were 145 responses (99.32%) to this Survey Item and only one individual (0.68%) did not reply. 18
countries are represented. Nearly 75% of the responses became from the United States, most likely due greater
numbers of Americans belonging to the AAVSO, AAS and ASP. The distribution of responses were follows: USA
108, Canada 5, UK 5, Chile 4, Germany 4, Australia 3, France 2, Poland 2, Russia 2, Belgium 1, Bulgaria 1, England
1, Finland 1, Greece 1, Italy 1, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 1, Ukraine 1 and No response 1. No comments
were solicited.
Country
USA
Canada
UK
Chile
Germany
Australia
France
Poland
Russia
Belgium
Bulgaria
England
Finland
Greece
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Ukraine
No Response
Totals
Count
108
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
146
Gross %
73.97
3.42
3.42
2.74
2.74
2.05
1.37
1.37
1.37
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.68
100.00
Figure 3. Country of work and residence.
Net %
74.48
3.45
3.45
2.76
2.76
2.07
1.38
1.38
1.38
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.00
100.00
Survey Item 4
“Are you a current or past member of the AAVSO? Yes or No.”
There were 145 responses (99.32%) to this Survey Item and one individual (0.68%) did not reply. 103 of the
responses were “No” (net 71.03%), 42 were “Yes (net 28.97%). A table is shown below. Since non-AAVSO
members in this survey outnumber AAVSO members by a ratio of 2.45 to 1, there appears to be little pro-AAVSO
bias in the survey results. No comments were solicited.
Response
No
Yes
No response
Totals
Count
103
42
1
146
Gross %
70.55
28.77
0.68
100.00
Net %
71.03
28.97
0.00
100.00
Figure 4. Current or past member of the AAVSO.
Survey Item 5
“What are the main variable star types (up to 3) that you study and research?”
There were 121 responses (82.88%) to this survey item and 25 individuals (gross 17.12%) did not reply. A total
of 307 variable star types were noted and analyzed. The analysis of this Survey Item was problematic as
responses included a mixture of the main VSX variability groups, variable types within the VSX variable groups,
specific variable objects and non-VSX variable star types. Additionally, individuals may have listed only one, two
or all three variable star types. Each of the responses for first, second and third choices were treated with equal
weight and a combined distribution was created and is presented below. Responses for the most studied
variable star types were forced into six VSX variable star groups when possible. A more detailed analysis was
not possible due the mixture of the four variable star responses listed above.
VSX Variable Star Class
Pulsating
Eclipsing
Cataclysmic
Eruptive
Rotating
Other Objects
X-Ray
Outside of VXS classification scheme
Intrinsic undiff.
Extrinsic undiff.
Totals
Count
118
52
49
37
20
17
7
6
1
0
307
%
38.44
16.94
15.96
12.05
6.51
5.54
2.28
1.95
0.33
0.00
100.00
Figure 5. Most studied or researched variable star types.
In the distributions, “Pulsating variables” were most commonly studied group at 38.44%. Low amplitude
pulsating stars, dwarf and sub-dwarf variables slightly inflated the numbers of classical stars in this variable star
group. “Eclipsing variables” came in at 16.94%, with a surprising number of exoplanet researchers.
“Cataclysmic variables” comprised 15.96%, “Eruptive variables” 12.05%, “Rotating variables” 6.51%, the “Other
objects” (GRB, BL Lac, AGN, QSO, etc.) 5.54% and “X-ray variables” comprised 2.28% of the variable classes
studied. The remaining 0.33% was comprised of undifferentiated “intrinsic variables.” There were 23
comments which are listed on the Appendix. It appears that as many as 6 out of 146 respondents (4.11%) are
professional astronomers that do not specifically study variable stars.
Survey Item 6
“If you have visited the AAVSO website (www.aavso.org), please rate the following statement, otherwise do
not enter a response. The AAVSO Website has excellent variable star content and offers easy navigation.” (10
is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)”
There were 111 responses (76.03%) to this Survey Item and 35 individuals (gross 23.97%) did not reply. The
AAVSO Website Quality score was 7.86 (SD=1.79) and it ranked 4 out of 7 for the numerical based Survey Items.
19 individual comments were given and are cited in the Appendix. The comments were generally favorable.
Web site content was a common positive, but the navigation aspects of the web site were a very commonly
cited negative.
Survey Item 7
“Have you used AAVSO observational data in the past? Yes or No.”
There were 144 (98.63%) responses to this survey item and 2 individuals (1.37%) skipped this question. As
detailed in the table below and 103 respondents (net 71.53%) have used AAVSO observational data in the past
and 41 respondents (net 28.47%) had not. No comments were solicited.
Response
Yes
No
No response
Totals
Count
103
41
2
146
Gross %
70.55
28.08
1.37
100.00
Net %
71.53
28.47
0.00
100.00
Figure 7. Used AAVSO observational data in the past.
Survey Item 8
“If you have used AAVSO observational data in the past, what was the purpose? Leave blank if you have
never used AAVSO observational data. Personal use, Publication or Other (please specify).”
There were 102 responses (71.33%) to this Survey Item and 42 individuals (28.77%) skipped this question. As
detailed in the table below, 53 individuals (net 50.96%) used AAVSO observational data for publication, 27 (net
25.96%) for “Other purposes,” 24 (net 23.08%) for personal use. Most of the “other purposes” were for
observation planning, student training, data validation or future research or publication. 27specific comments
can be found in the Appendix.
Response
Publication
Other
Personal
No response
Totals
Count
53
27
24
42
146
Gross %
36.30
18.49
16.44
28.77
100.00
Figure 8. Use of AAVSO observational data.
Net %
50.96
25.96
23.08
0.00
100.00
Survey Item 9
“If you have used AAVSO observational data in the past, please rate the following statement. Otherwise do
not enter a response. The observational data of the AAVSO is of high quality.” (10 is strongly agree, 5 is
neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
There were 89 responses (60.96%) to this survey item and 57 individuals (39.04%) skipped this question. The
average quality score for the AAVSO observational data was 7.74 (SD=2.01), which ranked 5 out of 7 for the
numerically based Survey Items.
20 individual comments were given and are cited in the Appendix. The comments were of a mixed nature.
Many liked the coverage of many stars in the AID, but some had concerns about errors and quality of the visual
data.
Survey Item 10
“If you have used AAVSO Variable Star Charts generated by the Variable Star Plotter, known as ‘VSP’
(http://www.aavso.org/vsp), please rate the following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response. The
quality of the AAVSO’s VSP, charts, and sequences is excellent.” (10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is
strongly disagree)
There were 51 responses (34.93%) to this survey item and 97 individuals (66.44%) skipped this question. The
average quality score for the Variable Star Plotter was 8.08 (SD=2.13), which ranked 1 out of 7 for the
numerically based Survey Items. Nine individual comments are given and cited in the Appendix. Comments
were favorable overall.
Survey Item 11
“If you have not used the AAVSO VSP, what is the source of your sequence data or comparison stars?”
There were 43 responses (29.45%) to this Survey Item, but 13 responses (8.90%) cited no specific sequence of
comparison star sources. Specific sources of comparison star data, when given, are noted in the table below.
Professional astronomers seem to use a variety of sources for comparison star data. No comments were
solicited.
Comparison star source
Literature
Bright Star Catalog
Landolt Standards
Personally generated
APASS
2MASS
SDSS
SAO Catalog
Simbad
Vizier
Johnson-Morgan Standards
USNO
Palomar Sky Survey
Tycho
Planetarium program
Hubble GSC
Totals
Count
5
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
30
Net %
16.67
10.00
10.00
6.67
6.67
6.67
6.67
6.67
6.67
3.33
3.33
3.33
3.33
3.33
3.33
3.33
100.00
Figure 11. Professional sources for non-AAVSO comparison star data.
Survey Item 12
“If you have used the AAVSO’s Variable Star Index, known as ‘VSX’ (http://www.aavso.org/vsx/), please rate
the following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response. The quality of the content in the AAVSO’s VSX is
excellent.” (10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
There were 44 responses (30.14%) to this Survey Item and 102 individuals (69.86%) did not respond. The
average quality score the variable Star Index was 7.42 (SD=2.07), which ranked 6 out of 7 for numerically based
Survey Items. Seven individual comments were given and are cited in the Appendix. Comments were good and
varied from favorable to VSX needing a new interface and updated references.
Survey Item 13
If you are familiar with the Journal of the AAVSO, known as the ‘JAAVSO’ (http://www.aavso.org/journalaavso), please rate the following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response. The JAAVSO is an excellent
technical publication relative to major astronomical journals.” (10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is
strongly disagree)
There were 66 responses (45.21%) to this Survey Item and 80 individuals (54.79%) did not respond. The average
quality score for the JAAVSO was 6.11 (SD=2.54), which ranked the lowest, or 7 out of the 7 numerically based
Survey Items. 14 individual comments were given and are cited in the Appendix. While praising the JAAVSO for
highlighting variable stars and good data, many comments were critical of the JAAVSO content, page size and
format and not being up to the standards of other professional astronomical journals.
Survey Item 14
“APASS is the AAVSO Photometric All Sky Survey which covers the sky of hemispheres in Johnson B and V,
plus the Sloan g′, r′, i′ pass bands. It is valid from about 10th magnitude to about 17th magnitude. For more
information, please go to http://www.aavso.org/apass. Are you already familiar with APASS? Yes or No.”
There were 144 (98.63%) responses to this Survey Item and 2 individuals (1.37%) did not respond. As indicated
in the table below, 86 individuals (net 60.56%) were not familiar with APASS, while 66 individuals (39.44%) were.
No comments were solicited.
Response
Yes
No
No response
Totals
Count
56
86
4
146
Gross %
38.36
58.90
2.74
100.00
Figure 14. Familiarity with APASS.
Net %
39.44
60.56
0.00
100.00
Survey Item 15
“Do you plan to use APASS in the future? Yes or No.”
There were 133 (91.90%) responses to this Survey Item and 13 individuals (8.90%) did not respond. As indicated
in the table below, 105 individuals (net 78.95%) plan to use APASS in the future, while 28 individuals (21.05%)
will not. By virtue of this survey, professional interest and potential use of APASS has increased from 45.21%
(past familiarization) in the previous Survey Item to 78.95% (planned use) in this Survey Item. No comments
were solicited.
Response
Yes
No
No response
Totals
Count
105
28
13
146
Gross %
71.92
19.18
8.90
100.00
Net %
78.95
21.05
0.00
100.00
Figure 15. Planned future APASS use.
Survey Item 16
“AAVSOnet is the AAVSO’s worldwide network of robotic photometric telescopes. For more information,
please visit http://www.aavso.org/aavsonet. Have you ever used AAVSOnet? Yes or No. “
There were 141 responses (96.58%) to this survey item and 5 individuals (3.42%) did not respond. As indicated
in the table below, 15 individuals (net 10.64%) have used AAVSOnet, while 126 individuals (net 86.30%) have
not. AAVSOnet use by the professional community is low. No comments were solicited.
Response
Yes
No
No response
Totals
Count
15
126
5
146
Gross %
10.27
86.30
3.42
100.00
Figure 16. Professional AAVSOnet use.
Net %
10.64
89.36
0.00
100.00
Survey Item 17
“If you have used AAVSOnet, please rate the following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response. The
quality of the photometric data from AAVSOnet is excellent and the system is easy to use.” (10 is strongly
agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
There were only 14 responses (9.59%) to this Survey Item and 132 individuals (90.41%) did not respond. The
average quality score for AAVSOnet was 8.07 (SD=2.06), which ranked at 2 out of 7 numerically based Survey
Items. Five individual comments were given and are cited in the Appendix. Comments generally were neutral to
favorable.
Survey Item 18
“Are you familiar with the Outreach and Public Education efforts of the AAVSO, such as Hands on Astrophysics
(now Variable Star Astronomy), Citizen Sky, or courses offered through the Carolyn Hurless Online Institute
for Continuing Education in Astronomy (CHOICE in Astronomy)? Yes or No.”
There were 143 responses (97.95%) to this Survey Item and 3 individuals (2.05%) did not respond. As indicated
in the table below, 53 individuals (net 37.06%) were familiar with the Outreach and Public education efforts of
the AAVSO, while 90 individuals (net 62.94%) were not. These results seem to indicate a need for more
publicity for the efforts of the AAVSO in its Outreach and Public Education efforts. No comments were solicited.
Response
Yes
No
No response
Totals
Count
53
90
3
146
Gross %
36.3
61.64
2.05
100.00
Net %
37.06
62.94
0.00
100.00
Figure 18. Familiarity with AAVSO Outreach and Public Education.
Survey Item 19
“If you are familiar with the Outreach and Public Education efforts of the AAVSO, please rate the following
statement. Otherwise do not enter a response. The AAVSO has excellent Outreach and Public Education
efforts.” (10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
There were only 46 responses (31.51%) to this Survey Item and 100 individuals (68.49%) did not respond. The
average quality score for Outreach and Public Education was 7.87 (SD=2.32), which ranked at 3 out of 7
numerically based Survey Items. Nine individual comments were given and are cited in the Appendix.
Comments generally were favorable.
Survey Item 20
“Have you participated in past AAVSO campaigns or collaborated with amateur observers? Yes or No.”
There were 146 responses (100%) to this survey item. As indicated in the table below, 77 individuals (net
52.74%) have participated in AAVSO campaigns or collaborated with amateurs, while 69 individuals (net 47.26%)
have not. No comments were solicited.
Response
Yes
No
No response
Totals
Count
77
69
0
146
Gross %
52.74
47.26
0.00
100.00
Net %
52.74
47.26
0.00
100.00
Figure 20. Professional participation in AAVSO campaigns or amateur collaboration.
Survey Item 21
“Have you published with amateur observers as co-authors? Yes or No.”
There were 143 responses (97.95%) to this survey item and 3 individuals (2.05%) skipped this question. As
indicated in the table below, 53 individuals (net 37.06%) have published with amateurs as co-authors, while 90
individuals (62.94%) have not. These are respectable numbers for amateur involvement and the use of amateur
data. No comments were solicited.
Response
Yes
No
No response
Totals
Count
53
90
3
146
Gross %
36.30
61.64
2.05
100.00
Figure 21. Professionals publishing with amateurs as co-authors.
Net %
37.06
62.94
0.00
100.00
Survey Item 22
“Have you published in the Journal of the AAVSO (JAAVSO)? Yes or No.”
There were 142 responses (97.26%) to this Survey Item and 4 individuals (2.74%) skipped this question. As
indicated in the table below, 29 individuals (net 20.42%) have published in the JAAVSO, while 113 individuals
(net 79.58%) have not. There may be a correlation of low publication rates in the JAAVSO due to its lower
reputation as a scientific journal (see Survey Item 13). No comments were solicited.
Response
Yes
No
No response
Totals
Count
29
113
4
146
Gross %
19.86
77.40
2.74
100.00
Net %
20.42
79.58
0.00
100.00
Figure 22. Publication in the JAAVSO.
SWOT Analysis - Survey Items 23 to 26
The next four Survey Items dealt with the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT Analysis) of
the AAVSO. Respondents were asked to list three strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of/to the
organization. All responses were evaluated and placed into thematic categories. An unweighted sum of all the
responses were tallied for each thematic category and a distribution was created. Some responses to the SWOT
Survey Items were short, generic or ill-defined and had to be placed into categories based on the best
interpretation of respondent’s intention. Thus, the interpretation of SWOT factors and their analysis is in part
subjective.
Survey Item 23
“What are the three greatest strengths of the AAVSO?”
There were 94 responses (64.38%) and total of 228 individual responses were given for this Survey Item. These
responses were placed into 15 distinct categories shown in the figure below. Some responses listed more than
one answer and each separate answer was captured and categorized if possible (for a new total of 232
responses). A few (3) responses were vague and ill-defined and were placed into the “no specific comments”
category. Eight comments for AAVSO Strengths are given in the Appendix.
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Strengths
Data, the archive, observations and accessibility
Amateur members and observers
Collaboration, campaigns and amateurs in research
The organization, mission, enthusiasm and sense of community
Public Education, Outreach, member training, Citizen science
Online tools - LGC, VSP, VSX and others
Online publications, resources, information and materials
APASS
AAVSOnet and robotic systems
Tradition, name recognition and longevity
Administration, staff and volunteers
Website and infrastructure
Help, assistance, motivation and focus
News events and announcements
No specific comments
Totals
Count
87
32
20
20
19
13
9
8
5
5
4
3
3
1
3
232
Net %
37.50
13.79
8.62
8.62
8.19
5.60
3.88
3.45
2.16
2.16
1.72
1.29
1.29
0.43
1.29
100.00
Figure 23. Strengths of the AAVSO.
As expected, the data itself in the AID in the form of observations and its accessibility (1), the members and
observers (2), collaboration, campaigns and the involvement of amateurs in research (3), the organization,
mission enthusiasm and sense of community (4), Public Education and Outreach, member training and citizen
Science (5) and Online tools (6) were the highest ranking strengths (occurrence >5%). Online publications and
resources (7), APASS (8), AAVSOnet and robotic systems (9), AAVSO tradition, name recognition and longevity
(10), administration, Staff and volunteers (11), website and infrastructure (12), help, assistance, motivation and
focus (13) and news events and announcements (14) rounded out the remaining Strengths of the AAVSO.
Survey Item 24
“What are the three greatest weaknesses of the AAVSO?”
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Weaknesses
Poor marketing of the AAVSO resources and capabilities with other professional organizations
Poor data quality and accuracy (visual and CCD)
Poor age and gender demographics
Poor funding
Abundance of visual data
Uneven coverage of variables
Poor AAVSO / amateur reputation by professional astronomers
Perception as US based, not international
Weak link / service to members and observers
Limited data / observers in southern hemisphere
Slow server
Data extraction issues
Observers go for "numbers and awards" versus doing good science
Difficulty in organizing amateurs for projects
Count
11
9
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
Figure 24. Weaknesses of the AAVSO with survey responses greater than 2%.
There were 62 responses (42.47%) and total of 86 individual responses were given for this Survey Item. These
responses were placed into 27 distinct categories. The top 14 categories greater than 2% are shown in the
figure above. The complete SWOT Weaknesses Table and comments (12) for the AAVSO Weaknesses are given
in the Appendix.
The Weaknesses of the AAVSO are revealing. Surprisingly, poor marketing of the AAVSO ranked first in the
listing. Poor data quality (2), poor age and gender demographics (3), and poor funding (4) rounded out the
issues greater than 5%. The abundance of visual data (5), uneven coverage of variables (6), Poor AAVSO and
amateur reputation (7), the AAVSO being seen as US based and not international (8), weak link and service to
members and observers (9), limited data and observers in the southern hemisphere (10), slow server (11), data
extraction issues (12), observers going for "numbers and awards" versus doing good science (13) and difficulty
in organizing amateurs from projects (14) rounded out the weaknesses greater than 2%.
Net %
12.79
10.47
6.98
5.81
4.65
4.65
3.49
3.49
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
Survey Item 25.
“What are the three greatest opportunities for the AAVSO?”
There were 59 responses (40.41%) and total of 102 individual responses were given for this Survey Item. These
responses were placed into 48 distinct categories. The top 16 categories greater than 1% are shown in the
figure below. The complete SWOT Opportunities Table and comments (11) for AAVSO Opportunities are given
in the Appendix.
The Opportunities of the AAVSO are interesting and varied. Professional co-operation, collaboration and
campaigns (1), more amateurs with CCD’s and reduction software (2), Outreach and Education for new
observers and members (3), increased coverage, long term monitoring and time domain observations of variable
stars (4), spectroscopy (5) and the APASS survey (6)were the responses greater than 5%. Continued expansion
and more photometric data (7), more all sky bright star photometry (8), lobby and increase variable star efforts
in the community (9), AAVSOnet and/or remote observing (10), DSLR Photometry (11), Outreach and education
(12), follow ups for new discoveries and transients (13), robotic telescopes (14), automated surveys (15) and
new equipment and technology (16) rounded out the opportunities greater than 1%.
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Opportunities
Professional co-operation, collaboration and campaigns
More amateurs with CCD's and reduction software
Outreach and Education for new members and observers
Increased coverage, LT monitoring and time domain observations of variable stars
Spectroscopy
APASS
Continued expansion and more photometric data
More all sky bright star photometry
Lobby and increase variable star efforts in the community
AAVSOnet and or remote observing
DSLR photometry
Outreach and Education
Follow ups for new discoveries and transients
Robotic telescopes
Automated surveys
New equipment and technology
Figure 25. Opportunities for the AAVSO with survey responses greater than 1 %.
Count
12
7
7
7
6
6
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Net %
11.88
6.93
6.93
6.93
5.94
5.94
3.96
2.97
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
Survey Item 26
“What are the three greatest threats to the AAVSO?”
There were 56 responses (38.56%) and total of 88 individual responses were given for this Survey Item. These
responses were placed into 38 distinct categories. Many of the responses supplied were very specific and could
not be easily combined into larger or broader categories. The top six categories greater than 2% are shown in
the figure below. The complete SWOT Threats Table and comments (8) for the AAVSO Threats are given in the
Appendix.
The Threats of the AAVSO are similar to those conveyed in the AAVSO Strategic and Operations Survey of 2012
and are well known. Funding and cuts in grants (1), all sky surveys (2), light pollution (3), older age demographic
(4), variable star subject matter (5) and observer interest, motivation and relevancy (6) rounded out the
opportunities greater than 2%.
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
Threats
Funding and cuts in grants
All sky surveys
Light pollution
Age demographic
Variable star subject matter
Observer interest, motivation and relevancy
Count
18
16
7
6
3
2
Figure 26. Threats to the AAVSO with survey responses greater than 2 %.
Net %
20.93
18.60
8.14
6.98
3.49
2.33
Survey Item 27
“What suggestions do you have for how the AAVSO can better serve the professional variable star
community?”
There were 40 responses (27.40%) were given for this Survey Item. These responses were placed into 21 distinct
categories which are shown below. Comments for Suggestions for Improvement are given in the Appendix.
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Suggestions for Improvement
More PR on AAVSO resources and capability at professional meetings
Doing fine, serving professional community well and keep up good work
Better relationships with professional community through personal contact and emails
Better data quality (CCD and visual)
Merge data from professional and amateur sources from around the world
Better means for collaboration and campaigns
Make VS astronomy more exciting and significant
Address and fix APASS issues
Increase member education for research and quality science
Focus on a limited number of bright stars not covered by very large surveys
Get APASS magnitudes deeper
“Fainter than” alerts
Get members and observers to do IR photometry and high resolution spectroscopy
Expand AAVSOnet for time series work
Continue strong leadership for professional co-operation
Sponsor regional meetings of VS research
Make APASS light curves available
Make APASS queries easier
Do spectroscopy correctly to ensure high quality
Find better ways to highlight news and discoveries to pros and public
No specific suggestions
Totals
Count
8
5
4
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
40
Net %
20.00
12.50
10.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
5.00
100.00
Figure 27. Suggestions for the AAVSO to better serve the professional community
The Suggestions for Improvement for the AAVSO in this survey included many good ideas which were not
conveyed in the Amateur Survey (The AAVSO Strategic and Operations Survey of 2012). Most of the suggestions
are self-describing and no explanation is required.
Survey Item 28
“If you would like to receive feedback about this survey once it is complete, please enter your email address.”
41 individuals (28.08%) left their email addresses for survey feedback. These respondents most likely will be
sent an email thanking them for their participation in this survey along with an electronic copy of this report.
Review of the Numerical Survey Items
There seven Survey Items which were rated for quality on a scale of 10 to 0. Going from the highest to the
lowest, those Items were: the Variable star Plotter (8.08), AAVSOnet (8.07), AAVSO Public Education and
Outreach (7.87), AAVSO Web Site (7.86), AAVSO observational Data (7.74), Variable Star Index (7.42) and the
JAAVSO (6.11). A bar chart for comparison is presented below. Individual Survey Items were previously
presented and discussed. All of these items had respectable quality scores except the JAAVSO publication.
10
9
8.08
8
8.07
7.87
7.86
7.74
7.42
7
6.11
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Variable Star
AAVSOnet
AAVSO Public AAVSO Website
AAVSO
Variable Star JAAVSO Quality
Plotter Quality
Quality
Education and
Quality
Observational Index Quality (Survey Item 13)
(Survey Item 10) (Survey Item 17) Outreach Quality (Survey Item 6) Data Quality (Survey Item 12)
(Survey Item 19)
(Survey Item 9)
Figure 28. A bar graph showing the numerically based Survey Items.
Professional Astronomer Survey Take Away – Six Problem Areas for Potential Improvement
The author has identified six potential problem areas for the AAVSO as revealed by the results of this survey.
While these problems areas are not severe, nevertheless, they indicate opportunities where the AAVSO can
improve it activities, products and services as expressed by the professional astronomer survey participants. A
quick review of these problem areas are given below.
Increased public relations for AAVSO resources and capability at professional meetings
Increased public relations for AAVSO products, resources and capability ranked first on the Improvement
suggestions list and it was the highest ranked Weakness on the SWOT analysis. It appears that professional
awareness and knowledge of AAVSO and its products, resources and capabilities are not commonly known.
Suggestions included having an increased presence, presentations and/or booths at professional meetings.
Many professionals overall liked and ranked many products and services highly, yet many expressed poor
knowledge, familiarity or low use of many of the products and services that the AAVSO provides.
Poor data quality/abundance of visual data
Poor data quality ranked second on the Weakness of the SWOT and ranked fourth on the Improvement
suggestion list. The abundance of visual data ranked fifth on the Weakness of the SWOT analysis. Professional
astronomers believe that both visual and CCD data quality needs to be improved. There is too great of an
abundance of visual data relative to CCD.
More and improved networking with the professional community
More and improved networking with the professional community ranked third on the Improvements suggestion
list. Suggestions included more personal contact, creating professional email lists and sponsoring an annual
Variable Star Conference for professionals. It appears that the professional community desires more contact,
cooperation and a better relationship with the AAVSO. Perhaps a “Professional Astronomer Only Forum” could
be established to fulfill these needs.
Quality of the JAAVSO
The quality of the JAAVSO had the lowest quality score (7 out of 7) out of all the numerically based Survey Items.
Suggestions included an improved, larger and standardized page size and format, the inclusion of figures within
the text and improved technical content. It is recommended that Council form a committee to improve the
quality and content of the JAAVSO.
Better means for collaboration and campaigns
Better means for collaboration and campaigns ranked first on the Opportunity list of the SWOT analysis and it
ranked sixth on the Improvement suggestions list. Some astronomers found the process for initiating campaigns
and collaboration lacking, difficult and/or poorly defined. It is believed that the AAVSO improve and formalize
its campaign and collaboration process on the AAVSO website.
Increased coverage/less uneven coverage of variable stars
Increased coverage of variable stars ranked fourth on the Opportunity list of the SWOT analysis, while uneven
coverage of certain variable stars ranked sixth on the Weakness list of the SWOT analysis. Data gaps and
cadence or sampling interval were commonly cited as problem areas. Many professionals desired better
coverage (long monitoring and more time domain data) for more variable stars of all types.
Finis.
Kevin B. Paxson – PKV
May, 2013
Appendix
The AAVSO Professional Astronomer Survey of 2013
Thank you for your participation in this survey about the AAVSO and its products, services, and activities relating
to professional astronomers. All questions are optional. No identifying information is kept from this survey, with
the exception of your email address, if you choose to provide it in order to receive feedback after the survey is
completed. Results of this survey will be presented to the AAVSO Council and a summary will be published on
the AAVSO web site.
These 28 survey items will take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete, depending on the level of detail in your
responses. Please be generous with comments and suggestions for improvement whenever possible.
Remember, all questions are optional. Skip any question you do not feel like answering.
Thank you again for your participation.
1. Which statement best describes you professionally?
I am currently:
an academic professional
a government researcher
an industrial professional in an astronomy-related field
a private researcher
Other (please specify)
2. Please indicate which term best describes you:
an observer
a data miner
a theoretician
Comments:
3. The country where I work and reside is:
4. Are you a current or past member of the AAVSO?
Yes
No
5. What are the main variable star types (up to 3) that you study and research?
Please refer to the AAVSO VSX master list of variable star types at
http://www.aavso.org/vsx/index.php?view=about.vartypes
1)
2)
3)
Comments:
6. If you have visited the AAVSO website (www.aavso.org), please rate the following statement, otherwise do
not enter a response.
“The AAVSO Website has excellent variable star content and offers easy navigation.”
(10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Comments or suggestions:
7. Have you used AAVSO observational data in the past?
Yes
No
8. If you have used AAVSO observational data in the past, what was the purpose? Leave blank if you have
never used AAVSO observational data.
Personal use
Publication
Other (please specify)
9. If you have used AAVSO observational data in the past, please rate the following statement. Otherwise do
not enter a response.
“The observational data of the AAVSO is of high quality.”
(10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Comments or suggestions:
10. If you have used AAVSO Variable Star Charts generated by the Variable Star Plotter, known as "VSP"
(http://www.aavso.org/vsp), please rate the following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response.
“The quality of the AAVSO’s VSP, charts, and sequences is excellent.”
(10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Comments or suggestions:
11. If you have not used the AAVSO VSP, what is the source of your sequence data or comparison stars?
12. If you have used the AAVSO’s Variable Star Index, known as “VSX” (http://www.aavso.org/vsx/), please
rate the following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response.
“The quality of the content in the AAVSO’s VSX is excellent.”
(10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Comments or suggestions:
13. If you are familiar with the Journal of the AAVSO, known as the "JAAVSO"
(http://www.aavso.org/journal-aavso), please rate the following statement. Otherwise do not enter a
response.
“The JAAVSO is an excellent technical publication relative to major astronomical journals.”
(10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Comments or suggestions:
14. APASS is the AAVSO Photometric All Sky Survey which covers the sky of both hemispheres in Johnson B
and V, plus the Sloan g′, r′, i′ pass bands. It is valid from about 10th magnitude to about 17th magnitude. For
more information, please go to http://www.aavso.org/apass.
Are you already familiar with APASS?
Yes
No
15. Do you plan to use APASS in the future?
Yes
No
16. AAVSOnet is the AAVSO’s worldwide network of robotic photometric telescopes. For more information,
please visit http://www.aavso.org/aavsonet.
Have you ever used AAVSOnet?
Yes
No
17. If you have used AAVSOnet, please rate the following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response.
“The quality of the photometric data from AAVSOnet is excellent and the system is easy to use.”
(10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Comments or suggestions:
18. Are you familiar with the Outreach and Public Education efforts of the AAVSO, such as Hands on
Astrophysics (now Variable Star Astronomy), Citizen Sky, or courses offered through the Carolyn Hurless
Online Institute for Continuing Education in Astronomy (CHOICE in Astronomy)?
Yes
No
19. If you are familiar with the Outreach and Public Education efforts of the AAVSO, please rate the following
statement. Otherwise do not enter a response.
“The AAVSO has excellent Outreach and Public Education efforts.”
(10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Comments or suggestions:
20. Have you participated in past AAVSO campaigns or collaborated with amateur observers?
Yes
No
21. Have you published with amateur observers as co-authors?
Yes
No
22. Have you published in the Journal of the AAVSO (JAAVSO)?
Yes
No
23. What are the three greatest strengths of the AAVSO?
Comments:
24. What are the three greatest weaknesses of the AAVSO?
Comments:
25. What are the three greatest opportunities for the AAVSO?
Comments:
26. What are the three greatest threats to the AAVSO?
Comments:
27. What suggestions do you have for how the AAVSO can better serve the professional variable star
community?
28. If you would like to receive feedback about this survey once it is complete, please enter your email
address. If not, please leave this space blank.
Thank you for your participation in the AAVSO Professional Astronomer Survey of 2013. Results will be published
on the AAVSO website (http://www.aavso.org) in May 2013. In the meantime, if the AAVSO can be of service to
you relative to any research or collaboration efforts, please do not hesitate to contact us at aavso@aavso.org.
Thank you again for your support and cooperation.
Best wishes,
Arne A. Henden – Director of the AAVSO
Comments to Survey Item 1 – Which statement best describes you professionally?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Most observers are also data miners these days.
There was some evolution from observer to data miner in recent years.
Actually I do a bit of all three.
I also reduce and analyze all my own data for my research.
Retired observer.
I am also an observer and an instrument builder.
I also have some limited experience in data mining.
All three apply, but I suppose "observer" is the best one.
Solar physics observations.
Use observational data in computational modeling, in the middle between observer and theoretical.
I am slowly transitioning to a data miner.
I could claim part membership in all these classifications.
Will also analyze data.
You should also include instrumentalist as an option.
None of the above.
All of the above.
Manager (observer in early years).
Also an observer and sometimes a data miner.
I am both an observer and data miner. I do both equally.
All three categories describe me (plus instrumentalist) but I started as an observer and remain none at
heart.
Raw Data for Survey Item 5 – Main variable star types for study or research
First choices
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
Hot stars
solar-like oscillators
N
Main sequence pulsators
eclipsing stars
Eclipsing
Miras
Long period variables
Extrinsic (B1, SB2, SB3)
ACV
UxOrs
CEP
Supernovae
Semiregulars
BE
CEP
Cepheids
Long period variables (Miras, semi-regulars, irregulars)
Globular cluster variables
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
ACYG
Cepheids
Classical Cepheids
AM
Eclipsing binaries.
M
Cataclysmic Variables
Nova
Miras
Pulsating sdB stars
Supernovae
CW
HMXB
L, LA, LB
N
SN
RS CVn
R CrB
MIRA
M
Eclipsing binary stars
T Tauri Stars
RV
Eclipsing
EA
ESD/WD
Cataclysmic variables
Symbiotic stars
Young stars
Eclipsing Binaries
M
Dwarf novae
T Tauri
FUOR
Cataclysmic variables
RR
Mkn 501
EP
Delta scuti
RR-Lyra
Intrinsic
Z Cam
Eclipsing binaries
CTTS
SN
Eclipsing binaries
Recurrent Novae
T Tauri
68. E
69. DSCT
70. CVs
71. Quasars
72. ZZ
73. DBV
74. AGN
75. AGN
76. RR Lyrae
77. Eclipsing binaries
78. EBs
79. RR Lyr
80. Be
81. SR
82. Eclipsing
83. L
84. Be
85. Cepheids
86. Supernova
87. EA
88. Eclipsing
89. Pulsating
90. Eclipsing
91. UGZ
92. Cepheids
93. RR Lyrae
94. Microlensing Events
95. BY
96. Pulsating
97. Cataclysmic variables
98. Cepheids
99. Transiting Exoplanets
100.
HMXB
101.
V361 Hya
102.
RRab
103.
Eclipsing
104.
RR Lyrae
105.
RR Lyrae
106.
EP
107.
RR Lyrae
108.
X-ray binaries
109.
DCEP
110.
EP
111.
M
112.
UXOR
113.
R Coronae Borealis
114.
Gamma-ray bursts
115.
Eclipsing Binary Stars
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
Novae
Pulsating: roAp, DSCT, BCEP, GDOR
RCB
CVs
Extrasolar
Pulsating
CEP
Second Choices
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
Beta Cephei
CV
Eclipsing variables
Cataclysmic stars
CVs
Semiregular Variables
Eclipsing binaries
Eclipsing
BY
Emission Line Stars
E
Recurrent Novae
Miras
SDOR
RR
RR Lyr
Cepheids
IA
RR Lyrae
Type II Cepheids
Cataclysmic
Cepheids.
PPN
Supernova
Red variables
Pulsating extreme helium stars
Novae
DCEP
BE
NR
QSO
BY Dra
YSO
SRB
Stars with spots
SR
Eruptive
NL
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
RR
Mira variables
BY Draconis
Long-period cool giants/supergiants
SR
Cepheids
Mira
CTTS/ROT
White dwarfs
LPV
Mkn 421
EB
RS Cvn
Cepheids
WTTS
N
AGN
Classical Novae
FU Orionis
TTS/ROT
EB
Eclisping binaries
AM
DAV
BLLAC
Extrasolar planets
CVs
XSPs
Cepheid
OB supergiant
M
Pulsating
SR
Mira
Miras
Eclipsing Binaries
EP
Pulsating
Rotating
NL/VY
Supernovae
Cepheids
AGN
UV
Eruptive
Carbon stars
RR Lyra
Eclipsing Binaries
87. Be
88. V1093 Her
89. RRc
90. SX Phoenicis
91. Cepheid
92. E
93. RRc
94. EW
95. SR
96. FUOR
97. LMXB
98. Pulsating Stars
99. Rotating: FKCOM, CTTS/ROT, TTS/ROT
100.
Brown Dwarfs
101.
Minor planets
102.
Eclipsing
103.
EA
Third choices
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
SPB
HMXB
Long period variables
Double stars
RR, DSCT
Irregular Variables
Cataclysmic variables
Rotating
FKCOM
CV's
GCAS
RV
Miras
Be stars
IB
HADS
Eclipsing
Gamma Ray Bursts
Pulsating white dwarfs
RR
LERI
DQ
GRB
Eclipsing and transiting variables
SR
UGSS
LPV
RCB
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
Variable central stars of planetary nebulae
UV Ceti
RV
Polars
M stars
ACEP
BL Lac
Mira
YSO
CV
RS Cvn
Type Ia Supernovae
FUOR
LPV
DOV
QSO
RS CVn
Pulsating stars
AGB
L
Cataclysmic
M
Binary
Type II Cepheids
Planet Transit
EW
Cataclysmic
Pulsating
N
LPVs
Supernovae
QSO
ROT
Delta Sct
LMXB
SN
EW
Eclipsing Binaries
Mira
DCEPS
RCB
TTS
AGN
Exoplanets
Transiting exoplanet systems
Eclipsing binaries
CV
EB
Comments to Survey Item 5 - The main variable star types (up to 3) that you study and research
1. Mostly RR Lyrae and other instability stars.
2. I've been looking for photometry of M dwarf stars in APASS.
3. "Stars" are not the only variable phenomena under investigation - I do some work on variable galactic
nuclei.
4. These are the types of targets for which I consult the AAVSO site.
5. I model their stellar atmospheres.
6. I have worked on most types of variables.
7. It would identify me.
8. The variable solar activity.
9. None.
10. Also a few UG and M.
11. None.
12. Near earth objects.
13. I don't study variable stars.
14. All kinds of variables over the years.
15. I'm not actually a variable star researcher; but I do study star formation, so these types come up
frequently
16. I don't study variable stars.
17. Microlensed stars.
18. Cataclysmic variables of all kinds, including dwarf novae, nova-likes, and classical novae.
19. Also M dwarf pulsations (predicted but not yet discovered).
20. Exoplanet transit survey.
21. I do not study variable stars.
22. Plus solar-type pulsators (Sun-like and red giant).
23. I just enjoy looking.
Comments to Survey Item 6 - Quality of the AAVSO Website
1. It's pretty good.
2. The database is sometimes the only useful resource.
3. Content is awesome and vital for my professional work. Navigability is of variable quality, and it keeps
changing.
4. Content is excellent, VSX, VSP, LCG are brilliant! Navigation is often confusing.
5. Some of my favorites are not in the AAVSO database.
6. Excellent content, hard to navigate
7. I'm not always so happy with the navigation aspect.
8. I have only downloaded APASS data from the AAVSO.
9. Sometimes the star id I use to search for observations comes back without data. Maybe having a
SIMBAD like "decoder" would help?
10. Excellent variable star content = 10. Easy navigation = 2 (It's often hard to find things, and it is *very*
slow).
11. Have visited only twice, briefly.
12. Need to spend more time at the site.
13. It'd be nice to access the data a bit more directly in bulk. I find the AFOEV database less 'user-friendly,'
but more tractable in this regard.
14. Worked easily for me.
15. This should be two separate questions 10 for content 8 for navigation
16. I mainly use the variable star index, which I think should be more obviously displayed. At least collapse
VSX and the rest of the observing data into one menu, and have data access closer to the top of the
drop-down menu.
17. I have never visited the AAVSO website.
18. Knowledge is alway's good.
19. I had trouble finding stars in the APASS interface. The objects were not listed by distance (like in VIZIER,
for example) so it was hard to find high-proper motion stars.
Comments to Survey Item 8 - Purpose of the used AAVSO observational data
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
To help validate photometry obtained with Kepler.
Planning observations and instrument modes for the Swift UV-Optical Telescope.
Partly for publication but also for checking objects out.
Educational activity, data processing together with AFOEV data with futher publication.
Preparation of observations with large telescopes.
Exploratory analysis.
Observation planning; supplement to own observations.
Training students and hopefully future publication.
Presentations.
Cross reference with my own data in preparation for publication.
Research to be published later.
Classroom use and student research projects.
Thesis direction.
Publication planned.
Class use.
Research not being done for publication.
I explored what was available, but it did not lead to a publication.
For general information, not to publish.
For a talk.
We are contributing data to the blazar watch.
Classification of classical novae.
List of variable stars.
Educational - to show light curves.
Calibration, using APASS.
Preparation for observations.
Telescope proposals.
I'm working currently on an article using V and gri photometry from APASS (using UCAC4 catalog).
Comment to Survey Item 9 – The quality of the AAVSO observational data
1. The quality can be a bit variable and really you need to be familiar with the star to get the best out of it.
2. Back when I used it, some of the observations were visual guesses, otherwise I would have ranked this
as a 10.
3. Acceptable quality for amateur observations.
4. I work with S. Otero, his expertise on data quality in the db was indispensible to make sound scientific
use of the data available.
5. The observational data vary enormously in quality, from very good to rather dubious.
6. Some data are really excellent; but some are not reliable, eg. with heavily underestimated error bars.
7. We all know that it is not perfect, but I know the limitations, and most of my science works well with
these limitations.
8. Some of it is good, but inconsistent datasets can be present.
9. Too many bad observations in the set I looked at. Some more quality control would have helped.
10. Evaluation of zero- point errors in CCD data is difficult and reduction method of AAVSOnet data,
including which comparison stars and their mags and colors, are hidden.
11. It was mixed. Some was very good; other, confounding.
12. AAVSO provides crucial information on interesting stars.
13. I marked '8', because in a huge data base, there is no way to know the quality of an individual data
point. Some of the errors quoted have so many decimals that they must be precision estimates, but not
accuracies. One does not know what to believe unless the history and capabilities of the observer exist
somewhere in a published paper.
14. Good stuff. As 10 would be perfect, and nothing is perfect, I'll give a 9.
15. Well the visual photometry can have huge errors, both systematic and statistical.
16. Have a more uniform format for the downloadable lightcurves. An irregular number of columns (i.e.
blanks for some entries) makes them hard to import into programs like idl, matlab, and spreadsheets.
17. Great stuff.
18. As far as I know the quality if fine for my purposes, but it I find the uncertainty of bandpass
19. We are happy that the visual data can be excluded from the lightcurves.
20. I have never used AAVSO observational data.
Comments for Survey Item 10 – The quality of the AAVSO’s VSP, charts, and sequences
1. The charts and sequences are a huge improvements on what has gone before
2. This is how I make all my finding charts now. Gone are the days of Polaroid images of Palomar prints
followed by putting a dashed line in pen. AAVSO is now where I get a lot (but not all) of my comparison
sequences.
3. VSP is a major step forward. It allows printing in all scales and orientations. I also get comp star tables
from the system.
4. The charts seem to be excellent; overall the sequences are good and improving, but not excellent.
5. My biggest issue with the data is that you cannot download the charts in a format that is good for
recreated the plots.
6. It would be nice if the data for the plots was available for download in a format that is easily read into
python and IDL.
7. I used the old finding charts but never depended on the relatively imprecise mags on the charts, but
then.
8. I never did naked eye estimations, only pep work.
9. I have never used AAVSO Variable Star Charts.
Comments for Survey Item 12 - Quality of the content in the AAVSO’s VSX
1. Generally I think it is up to date and for general variable star discoveries these days is probably the only
show in town. How it will cope with vast numbers of automatic discoveries remains to be seen and
perhaps it should not even try.
2. Hmm, I've never used it. What does it do?
3. Attributions are often missing or complete. Many periods and variable types lack attribution and/or
date, opinions are also not attributed. Suggest that that kind of info carry attribution and date if
unpublished, or that VSX reflect only GCVS or published, peer-reviewed info. The information quality,
completeness, and timeliness is excellent!
4. VSX has good data but the interface is due for an update. The slightest mistype in a star name returns
no result especially in the case of an SDSS object. The system doesn't refresh itself very well. It can be
hard to use.
5. SIMBAD can provide additional information, cross-identifications, for example. VSX cannot be expected
to contain everything.
6. Was not aware of this service.
7. I have never used AAVSO's Variable Star Index.
Comments for Survey Item 13 – Quality of the JAAVSO
1. It is excellent at giving good data for the stars indicated. But some of the articles (like the ones I put into
JAAVSO.
2. In my youth) are not up to pro-standards. But this is OK, as no one is fooled, it is a good training ground
(like for me), and the data is great.
3. I am not familiar enough with JAAVSO to enter a response.
4. It is a good outlet for some work but not comparable to major astronomical journals, nor should it be.
5. Uneven and loose scientific requirements - even papers by professionals often have an amateurish
quality.
6. Please - place tables and figures in place with text instead of at the back of a paper!!
7. I have not used the JAAVSO.
8. It’s useful for some things but not sure I would rate it excellent compared to ApJ. :)
9. One might consider enlarging its format, page size; consider longer manuscripts; increase frequency of
publication.
10. Find a way to endow staff position because an enhanced eJAAVSO will include enhanced costs;
11. Certainly the eJAAVSO should be continued, enhanced, and expanded.
12. Well, should it should not compete with AJ or ApJ, which are also "techincal", but could with, say, PASP.
13. I do not read JAAVSO.
14. It's a useful publication for variable star papers.
Comments for Survey Item 17 - Quality of the Photometric Data from AAVSOnet
1. The data I got was awesome in its vast coverage. I'm not sure how easy it is to use, as I (fortunately) had
the data fed to me already with magnitudes extracted.
2. Two separate questions are being asked. My rating is an average of 9 for 'quality of data' and 1 for 'easy
to use'. I had much difficulty interacting with the telescope assistant and ultimately did not get data in
the format I had requested although he could have easily produced it.
3. Was not aware of this service.
4. I guess I should check it out to see if they are precise enough to be useful for studies requiring high
precision (my interest).
5. I have never used AAVSOnet.
Comments for Survey Item 19 – Quality of AAVSO Public Outreach and Education Efforts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
I refer interested amateurs to the AAVSO as one of the best groups for pro-am collaboration.
Don't know enough about it to have an opinion.
CHOICE is an interesting development, finally a way to learn good relevant things.
Familiar with, but have not used or participated; the outreach and public education efforts seem to be
well received.
I know the oureach exists, just not more than that.
I often point K12 students looking for science fair projects or high school research projects to AAVSO.
Anything you can do to offer a friendly welcome to them (eg a page designed to get them started) would
be useful.
Good to hear about it.
They used to be better, haven't heard much lately.
I have no familiarity with AAVSO EPO efforts.
Survey Item 23 – Raw Specific Strengths of the AAVSO
Raw Strengths - First Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Rapid response capability for photometry of newly identified sources
Comprehensive source of up-to-date variable star information
Many observers
The breadth of the observer base
Good record keeping
Great number of observations
Data quality and completeness
Longevity
Continuity of observations
Length of data archives
Long term monitoring at high cadence
Extensive coverage of stars
Unique and valuable databases
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
The ability to collect data from many observers
Emphasis on professionalism in science
Extensive historical data archive
Coverage -- professional astronomers cannot monitor everything
The successful, constructive collaboration between amateurs and professionals as I don't know it from
any other field of research
Its existence
Awesome amounts of data, often very old, wonderful coverage
Excellent outreach materials
The generation of archival data over many years
Enthusiasm
Promptly available CCD photometry of variable objects
Strong outreach efforts
VSP
VOLUME INFORMATION
Finder Charts (VSP)
Give direction and advice to motivated people to ....
Database of observations freely and easily assessible
Amateurs have free time
Its observers, staff and volunteers
Broad base
Large numbers of different types of variable stars
Being a long-term epository for photometric data
A strong link to its observers
Inspiring dedicated observerors to make important measurements
Long term archive of observations
Training amateurs to produce good data
Its coordination of amateurs with professionals
Coordinating amateur and professional astronomers
Network of dedicated amateurs
Outreach
Long data strings for many stars
Harness interest of amateurs to make significant discoveries
The immensity of the database
Ability to mobilize people all over the world!
Good data that other sources do not have
Many observers
Well-defined projects
Large base of observers.
Long term coverage of variable stars
Person power
APASS
Organizing large number of observational data
Focus on a specialty
Historical data
Coordinating variable star campaigns
VSX
Good temporal coverage for many stars
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
Pro-am collaboration
Breadth of available data
Long time span of observations
Community
Dedicated members
Widespread Recognition & Participation
Continuity
Excellent data
All sky coverage
Reliable data
Impressive data
Enthusiasm
Large number of dedicated observers
Huge network of widespread observers
Good, long-time lightcurves
The catalog of variable stars
Robotic observing
Not sure
Outreach
Dedicated membership
Accuracy of data
Inclusiveness of all astronomers
APASS
Robotic systems and dedicated observers produce great temporal coverage
The Amateurs
Meticulous in calibration (e.g. in APASS)
Avid interest in variable stars
Enthusiastic observers
Consistent long-term monitoring of long-period variables
Excellent temporal coverage
Historical database
Putting amateurs to work on projects that would otherwise be neglected.
Pro-Am communication and collaboration
APASS provides consistent high quality photometry to several cool stars that are not in HIPPARCOS
Raw Strengths - Second Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Monitoring and dataset collection for far more sources than are professionally observed
Help for beginning and experienced observers
The usually good quality of the data
Fairly accurate data
Exellent service for observers
Long history
Science Lead
Bright star observations
Availability of archives
Historical data availability
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
Increasingly sophisticated instrumentation
Useful online articles and content
Photometric database
Involvement of amateurs in research
An invaluable data base
Finder charts and sequences
Provides ways for amateurs to do science
Curration of variable star data
Time
Name recognition as an organisation
LCG
AVAILABLE FOR HELP
Comparison Star Data (VSP)
Provide useful data for astronomy
Very long baseline for some stars
VSP, VSX, and LCG - hard to pick just one!
The light curve generator
Having multiple, diverse sources for data
Lots of good data
Maintaining a very large database
The long term dataset
Providing very long photometric time series
Providing data beneficial to professional community
Data archives
Opportunity for amateurs and professinals to collaborate
The enthusiasm of the members/observers
Long time baseline data
Dedicated amateurs
Spread out all over the world
Excellent infrastructure
Provide data for both amateurs and professionals
Accesible data sets
Willingness to participate in professional campaigns
Free data access
Observers scattered at different part of the world
All inclusive data base
Variable star curation
Mentoring amateurs in variable star techniques
Institutional memory
Teaches astrophiles how to do research
Easy to access data
High standards
Organization
Easy-to-use website
Worldwide placement of observers
Contributions of amateurs
Commitment to high-quality photometry
Quality review of data as submitted
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
Some of the time domain astronomy is very well done
Reliable observations
Archival data
Collaboration with amateurs
Amount of data
Providing information access
VSX
Data quality is quite high
The Variable star database
Friendly community that is very helpful
Organization of observing campaigns abd supporting observations
Quality observatioms
Liaison between amateur and professional communities
Validated data
Eager amateur observers
Providing direction and focus.
Long-term database
Raw Strengths - Third Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
New developments VSX, AAVSOnet, APASS etc
Friendly membership
Educational activity
Not having "amateur" in its title
Vast Volunteer Observer Base
Efficient diffusion of scientific methodology towards amateur astronomers
Publications
Public outreach in astronomy
AAVSO observers provide flexible and fast observations of important stars
Supports professional science
Involvement of amateur astronomers in research
Latitudinal spread
Database with significant heritage value
Many stars and observations in database
BREEFING FOR NEW EVENTS
Data Archive
Engage citizens in science
General information on variable stars for student training
AAVSOnet
Noting the validated data
Lots of excellent on-line resources
Ease of obtaining data
The fun people in the organization
Providing reliable online info and data
Public involvement
Public relations
APASS
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
The professionalism of the organization
Dedicated professional staff
Quality data
Proven methodology
Provide an interface for amateurs and professionals
Standard sequences
Large, long term, high quality data
Good interface to community
Large number of observers and observations
Enthusiasm for their mission
Extended community
Very open to researchers
Administration
AAVSOnet
Long term perspective
APASS
Extensive archive
Great example of amateur/professional collaboration
Long-baseline light curves
Availability of data
Being flexible
IDB
Organization is well managed, so observers are recognized and valued for their contributions
APASS
Alot of members (and therefore lots of eyes on the sky!)
Education and public outreach programs
Time-coverage
Outreach ambassadors of astronomy to the public
Quick and easy to generate an up-to-date light curve
High data quality
Education of general public.
Opportunities for outreach and education
Comments for Survey Item 23 – Strengths of the AAVSO
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
AAVSO enables science to be done when professionals do not have time to make all the observations.
There is a level of respect in the professional community for much of what AAVSO does.
Stars too bright for PanSTARRS and LSST
Don't have the knowledge to answer
I do no work on variable stars
All are laudable initiatives
Learning
Needs to start taking spectroscopic data
Survey Item 23 – Weaknesses of the AAVSO
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
27
38
Weaknesses
Poor marketing of resources and capabilities with other professional
organizations
Poor data quality and accuracy (visual and CCD)
Poor age and gender demographics
Poor funding
Abundance of visual data
Uneven coverage of variables
Poor AAVSO / amateur reputation by professional astronomers
Perception as US based, not international
Weak link / service to members and observers
Limited data / observers in southern hemisphere
Slow server
Data extraction issues
Observers go for "numbers and awards" versus doing good science
Difficulty in organizing amateurs for projects
Awkward online tools
Elitist and unfriendly
Poor link between old magnitudes and modern magnitudes
Mired in past
Lack of AID magnitude depth
No spectra
Small Staff
Whining by all the visual observers
Research overlap with other amateur groups
Poor nova search group
Small membership base
Changing reporting formats
APASS photometric and astrometry issues
Lack of strategic direction
Chart issues
Lack of advertising in JAAVSO and publications
Lack of transformations to standard systems
Hard to assess which objects are being monitored
Lack of use / leveraging of the AID
Poorly defined benefits for professional membership into AAVSO
AAVSO mission dilution by flood of variable star data
Too heterogeneous and complex
No specific comments
Totals
The complete table of AAVSO Weaknesses.
Count
Net %
11
9
6
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
86
12.79
10.47
6.98
5.81
4.65
4.65
3.49
3.49
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
8.14
100.00
Raw Weaknesses – First Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
Need more advertisement of their utilities
Perception as USA only
Whining by all the Visual Observers
Coverage of some important stars is fragmentary
In the past, had to ask specifically for data (not sure if that still holds)
Data quality assessment not always obvious
Lack of advertising of JAAVSO publications
Not as well known as it should be
For old magnitudes, I have to get the old comparison sequences to convert the old magnitudes onto a
modern magnitude scale.
Lack of funding (AAVSO deserves more funding!)
Public relations
Small numbers of skilled people
Comes over as elitest and unfriendly
Too many stars with too few observation
Unclear what role it has on an international scale
Awkward tools
Photometric and astrometric issues with APASS
Need more YOUNGER people involved, I think
To many visual observations in database
Visibility
Simply trying to deal with the flood of variable star data
Too much od data is visual estimates
A weak link to its observers (I know...)
Too few women
I rarely find time to peruse the journal or webpages (my fault)
Maintaining funding base
Too heterogeneous and complex
Endowment needs considerable enhancement
Data quality could be improved
Can't think of a thing
Slow website
Relatively narrow field of study
Inhomogeneous data sets (?)
They keep changing reporting formats
The negative connotations "amateur" carry among professionals
Not sure. My stellar observer friends love you
Use of human visual magnitudes
Question the consistency of the precision of the data.
Not many people interested in the field, perhaps, so limited appeal base?
Having very limited southern hemisphere data
Unknown
Data extraction
Not enough press or professional coverage
Lack of funding
One of its members accidently backed into my car
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
Uneven coverage of variables
Difficult to assess quality of data submitted
Educating professional astronomers about the resources you have available
Based on my ignorance of the efforts above, I would say marketing
Lack of information about offered professional tools
Publicity?
Some of the best things are not known to all
Hard to assess what objects are being monitored
Small membership base
Age and gender balance is still a bit askew
Need higher precision observations
Time coverage
Not represented at enough professional conferences
Magnitude depth (which is a function of members' equipment)
Mired in the past
Raw Weaknesses – Second Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
Would like to get spectral observations too
Insufficient mixing and intermingling with professional bodies
Average accuracy of measurements is not very high
Less observers covering southern hemisphere stars
Lack of clarity as to benefits of AAVSO membership for professional astronomers
Seems not to be funded as well as it needs to be
The nova search program is moribund
Poor view of AAVSO held by most professionals
Visual observations, to many
Lost sight of serving the MEMBERS
Lack of strategic direction
Charts
Too much unreliable data
Sometimes too much focus on personal "records"
To many low quality CCD observations in database
Too little publicity
The struggle to meld with the visual history of data
Not enough recognition/advertising
Recruiting new younger members
Too varied the data
The eJAAVSO needs to be expanded, and advertised
Lack of Infrared
Occasionally some observers provide lower-quality data
Lack of more professional input, guidance (?)
Difficult to navigate web page
Limited depth and research range
Lack of a world-wide data archive, connecting multiple amatuer archives
Observations would benefit from error bars
Volunteer status of members
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
Perception that the quality of the observations may be questionable.
Not clear for a professional how to request help monitoring a given object
Links with worldwide efforts could be better (e.g. language barrier for non-American amateurs)
Lack of contacts with professions
Lack of multi-wavelenth coverage
International profile could be stronger
Sometimes there are clearly erroneous magnitudes
Slow to accept new ideas
Raw Weaknesses - Third Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Insufficient visibility despite their essential part in Outreach
Reputation with professionals
Poor perception in wider astro community
Slow server
Sometimes lose sight of science goals
Not enough use of its database
Should be better way to make request for amateurs to observe a set of stars rather than just look and
see what is there
Can be difficult to organize AAVSO observers (but not usually)
Lack of good photometric transformations to standard systems (?)
Research overlap with other amateur groups
Small staff
Tools for extracting publishable data from contributed light curves are not intuitive for (this)
professional astronomer(s)
Longitudinal concentration
General Weakness Comments
1. Not familiar enough to reply
2. Perhaps have a booth at the winter AAS meeting; costly, but maybe could arrange a 'break' in fee; a
booth would give more exposure to the professional community
3. Not sure about these; just off the top of my head.
4. So what if it appeals to a limited field; it's OUR field!
5. AAVSO has weaknesses?
6. None known
7. I'm not sure about the photometric precision and quality control
8. I cannot think of a weakness!
9. Don't have the knowledge to answer
10. I do no work on variable stars
11. Observers tend to lose interest in novae after a few months
12. Participation
Survey Item 25 – Opportunities for the AAVSO
Opportunities
Professional co-operation, collaboration and campaigns
More amateurs with CCD's and reduction software
Outreach and Education for new members and observers
Increased coverage, LT monitoring and time domain observations of variable stars
Spectroscopy
APASS
Continued expansion and more photometric data
More all sky bright star photometry
Lobby and increase variable star efforts in the community
AAVSOnet and or remote observing
DSLR photometry
Outreach and Education
Follow-ups for new discoveries and transients
Robotic telescopes
Automated surveys
New equipment and technology
Increasing the credit given to amateurs in professional publications
Increasing professional interest in time-domain astronomy
Increase ties to inquiry-based education
Linked short term and long term data sets
Internet / Web
Increase ties to inquiry-based education
Data analysis of AID
Near IR photometry
Expand PEP observations
Data mining PANSTAARS and LSST
Data mining in general
Better communication between members
Supernovae
Spectrophotometry
Codify how we can handle all the data from larger surveys
Complement dedicated ground and space-based time series surveys
Doing the bright star work (brighter than 17th) that PanSTARRS and LSST cannot do
Educating professional astronomers about AAVSO resources available
Planetary transit timing
Working with organizations like ASP, Planetary society, SETI Inst., etc.
Connecting with other Citizen Science groups
Generating free and easy to use photometric software
Bigger network of observers worldwide
Support NASA missions / BRITE mission
Reach out to professional astronomers for participation in AAVSO meetings and
activities
The eJAAVSO could be used for discovery type articles
The closing of national small telescopes
Small telescopes being devalued by professionals creates opportunity
Count
12
7
7
7
6
6
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Net %
11.88
6.93
6.93
6.93
5.94
5.94
3.96
2.97
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
1.98
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
1
1
1
1
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
Synoptic observations
Human visual computing
Better communication within the community
No specific comments
Totals
1
1
1
2
99
0.99
0.99
0.99
1.98
100.00
The complete table of AAVSO Opportunities.
Raw Opportunities - First Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
Complement dedicated ground- and space-based time series surveys
More professional-amateur campaigns
Fast communications between members
Synoptic observations
Join amateur and professional astronomer's researches
Outreach: doing the professionals' work for them, in fact
AAVSOnet
Bright stars are usually not observed by large professional surveys (saturation)
More and more observers migrating to CCD techniques
Continue to promote/facilitate professional/amateur partnerships
Cannot say
Doing the bright star work (i.e., brighter than 17th) that PanSTARRS and LSST cannot do
Widespread availability of CCD, DSLRs and other electronic equipment
Outreach to engage more people in science
Increasing the credit given to amateurs in pro publications - 12 co-authors? Not helpful.
Continued expansion
Incorporating more data gathered by well-equipped amateurs into database
DSLR photometry seems to be blooming
Variable star astronomy is likely to be revolutionized by robotic astronomy
Amateurs with CCD cameras
The increased attention on variable stars
Interface between amateur and professional
APASS, if conrinued long term, that is, keep on acquiring data
Make possibility partnerships between amateurs and professional astronomers
Evolution of the amateur skills
Follow-up for discovery observations
Get the word out (via education and publications) about how your observers can help pros by providing
data unavailable from pro telescopes
Increase ties to inquiry-based education
Both amateur, student, and professional participation.
Increasing availability of low-cost science-grade CCDs for small telescopes
Promote the science of variability in general and of stars specifically
Robotic telescopes
Collaboration
Lobby efforts on behalf of v ariable stars & the community, maybe
Data mining
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
Working with orgs like ASP, Planetary society, SETI Inst., etc
Modern instrumentation for amateurs: spectrophotometry
Adding spectroscopy content
Analysis of data spanning centuries for stellar evolution
Internet/Web
Collaboration withnprofessional astronomers
Supernovae
Automated surveys
Interest in variable stars is increasing
All sky variability study of bright stars
Recruitment and education of new observers
Educating professional astronomers about the resources available
Not sure
Codify how we can handle all the data from larger surveys
Using regular cameras for photometry
APASS will be a remarkable resource for the community
Following up the many new transients being discovered
APASS is a treasure, in which real gems are hidden! Integration of APASS within exisiting calibration
frameworks (eg SDSS) is important.
All sky variable star photometry of brighter variables
Engagement with professionals
New short-term data sets which must be linked to longer-term coverage
Increasing professional interest in time-domain astronomy
Spectroscopy
APASS is a great project
Raw Opportunities - Second Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Getting amateurs involved with professional research
Building a network of reliable observers worldwide
Surveys
Make data from small telescopes available to professional community as small professional telescopes
increasingly disappear
Generating free and easy to use photometric software
Applying new technology to make data more accessible
Including spectroscopic data.
Keeping amateurs informed about outbursts, special observing campaigns
Spectroscopy is right on the edge of being useful for amateurs
Amateurs with good data reduction software
The closing of national small telescopes
Education and outreach
The eJAAVSO could be used, both as current, and for short discovery type articles
Try to help amateurs improve their use of technology to do more than just visible broad band
photometry
Interfacing with professionals
Long-term monitoring
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
Planetary transit timing
Provide observations no longer done at professional observatories
Flood of variable star data from PANSTAARS and LSST will need follow-up
Human visual computing
Target of opportunity remote observing
Modern instrumentation for amateurs: near-IR
Continuous and consistent coverage of variable stars
New/affordable technology
Amateurs now have CCDs
Small telescopes being devalued by professionals creates opportunity
Involving more through outreach
Time domain observations are becoming more important in the professional community, so AAVSO is
well positioned to contribute to future studies
APASS will be REALLY nice when Gaia flies. AAVSO should be ready to jump on that
Additional education programs
Ever-improving amateur equipment
APASS
Raw Opportunities - Third Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Diversifying into technology other than photometry
Spectroscopy
Reach out to professional astronomers to encourage participation in AAVSO meetings and activities.
"Citizen science"-type outreach projects
Perhaps connecting with other citizen science groups
Encouraging and expanding PEP observations.
Strengthening professional-amateur connections through outreach, partnerships
World-wide coverage of variable stars; complete light curves
Long time coverage of variables
Perhaps the coming-of-age of multi-telescope robotic networks with an education/amateur arm
(LCOGT) provide a good opportunity to form stronger alliances with professionals
11. Support NASA missions / BRITE mission
General Opportunities Comments
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Diversifying into technology other than photometry
Spectroscopy
Reach out to professional astronomers to encourage participation in AAVSO meetings and activities.
"Citizen science"-type outreach projects
Perhaps connecting with other citizen science groups
Encouraging and expanding PEP observations.
Strengthening professional-amateur connections through outreach, partnerships
World-wide coverage of variable stars; complete light curves
Long time coverage of variables
10. Perhaps the coming-of-age of multi-telescope robotic networks with an education/amateur arm
(LCOGT) provide a good opportunity to form stronger alliances with professionals
11. Support NASA missions / BRITE mission
Survey Item 26 – Threats to the AAVSO
Raw Threats - First Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
Losing touch with the membership
Funding
Decrease of the popularity of variable stars researches in professional astromomy
Not breaking down the gap between Pro and Am.
Lack of Understanding of the Prof astronomer
Cuts to federal research
Cannot say
Perception that visual observations are no longer needed
Funding cuts
Failure to identify your target membership
Irrelevancy for many observers, if new info is available faster from other sources
Recent bad publicity
Aging observers locked to old technology/ways
Finance
Financial.
LSST
Not have enough operating funds to keep up with data, software needs
Not having the money to continuing servicing data base
Money
As astronomers are swamped by data sets (PTS, PanSTARRS, LSST, etc.) AAVSO data may be passed over
in favor of other surveys
LSST/panstarrs, etc overwhelming everything
Economy / funding opporutnities
Technology and automation
Big all sky surveys
Lack of organization
Funding
Pros not realizing that the data is of high quality
Time domain surveys (eg PTF, LSST)
Light pollution.
Visual observers feel they cannot compete with CCDs
Deep space envy.
Sky brightness
Light pollution
Management & maintenance of data quality
Light pollution
Lack of funding
Needs more young observers
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
Lack of steady financial support
Funding limitations
Focusing resources on projects that are not scientifically interesting, just because they are tractable.
LSST
Observatories
Not sure
Not adapting to or incorporating future large scale surveys
Keeping interest high
Current funding climate makes support from national agencies difficult (as I'm sure you know).
All sky surveys
Some of the key members are ageing!
All sky photometry programs
Light pollution
Diminishing interest in variable stars among potential members
Professionals might in future prefer professional surveys e.g. LSST
Mired in the past
Light pollution.
Diminished funding
Raw Threats - Second Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Staying relevant in a world of big data
Small financial support of astronomy education and activity in some countries
Assuming that spectroscopy is easy, and just right for amateurs.
Failure to keep in mind who is the customer
Stellar research no longer considered "glamorous"
Few professionals are paying much attention to the AAVSO sunspot count
Overall government cuts to science and grant agencies
Sensitive professional robotic sky surveys with high cadence
Funding
Inward looking mentality
Low quality managers but high quality astronomers
Rapid expansion, without adequate personnel or long-term support at hand.
Not have enough funding to synch with projects such as LSST, etc
Leadership in the new director
Aging of its membership
Lack of sufficient donation and research grant income
Light pollution
Lack of funding
Young observers are not becoming active.
Very wide field surveys
General population apathy and ignorance
Poor recent coverage of some variables with long observing records
Not as "sexy" as comets (but endure longer)
Easy/cheap access to robotic facilities for many (eg LCOGT) may give the impression that there is not
much discovery potential left
25. Aging membership
Raw Threats - Third Responses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Funding: lack of access to research money
Planned robotic all-sky surveys
Database having limited accessibility (or being perceived as having such)
Not sure.
Possible large drain on resources by non-dues-paying users.
Trying to do too many things
Low visibility in academic circles
Lack of awareness of AAVSO
Threats General Comments
1. Suggest non-dues-paying users can submit data but any requests for resources be filled only on an asavailable basis.
2. Concentrate on good science, with an emphasis that amateurs can have fun and contribute useful data
3. Not sure. I don't see any great threats from without, but I can't comment on the internal structure and
financial soundness.
4. Threats? Protection rackets? Dwindling membership?
5. I don't know
6. Don't have the knowledge to answer
7. I do no work on variable stars
8. Apathy
Survey Item 27 – Ways for the AAVSO to serve the professional community
1. Continue interacting with the AAS, providing information on the AAVSO's capabilities.
2. The AAVSO is a membership organisation so what might be seen as good for professionals might not be
seen in the same light by the membership. Personally I'd like to see greater access to modest automatic
telescopes for time series and monitoring observations.
3. perhaps getting a list of professional astronomer's email addresses who do research in variable stars and
emailing information of current and new programs and software you have available
4. Is it possible to make APASS service like NSVS or ASAS with access to light curve of the object?
5. Far more physical interaction (meetings) at which the input from both is assessed and judged on its
merits rather than on who the operators are.
6. Focus on a limited number of bright stars that will not be observed efficiently by the coming very large
surveys with large aperture telescopes.
7. I have worked a lot with amateurs doing spectroscopy (much more than about photometry). In my
experience, the importance of the somewhat tedious task of calibrating/ensuring quality and
homogeneity of data is sometimes hard to drive home, and at least some of the spectroscopists I
worked with were quite prone to over interpretation of their results. In order to judge the data, some
more information on procedures might be given by each observer, this will become more important as
more and more amateurs will go CCD..
8. Find new ways to highlight news and discoveries in variable star research to both professional
researches and the general public.
9. I believe that the AAVSO serves the professional community well now
10. Get APASS magnitudes going deeper and deeper
11. Honest evaluation of APASS. Serious issues have been ignored!!
12. Continue with the same interest
13. Convince us that quality issues are being dealt with!!
14. Better quality control on the data banks. Perhaps some sort of system like Galaxy Zoo uses to rate the
reliability of observers automatically based on how they compare with others in their data. I realize this
is much more difficult since galaxy properties are not variable while the stars are. Perhaps there is
something more that can be done to flag bad data, though.
15. The courses offered to members go a long way to doing that. More knowledgable, willing to learn and
interested observers who can work in a team under the supervision and direction a PI would provide a
pool of great collaborators. Maybe a certificate for completing a "collaborator-observer" course of
some kind?
16. Regional meetings in US on variable star research, possibly sponsored by astronomy departments
and/or amateur societies?
17. Keep a presence at professional meetings
18. Continued strong leadership by someone professional community recognizes, appreciates, and respects;
such is needed if the organization expects to attract research grants, in national competition, on a
sustained basis.
19. Try to push amateurs, especially the well-heeled ones to branch out to other methods: a) infrared
photometry b) high-resolution spectroscopy (I'm thinking of some less expensive systems that could
get used).
20. Provide concrete ways for professionals and amateurs to collaborate (for example, make a website for
people to submit requests or announce willingness to observe).
21. Workshop at the AAS to introduce researchers to data and AAVSO opportunities
22. Contact professional astronomers who are actively working on variable-star research. Interface more
with large projects such as Kepler, CoRot, GAIA,.... For example, the calibration of spectro-photometric
standards for the GAIA mission has identified a number of probable variable stars, which require
followup observations.
23. Make the field more exciting. Market the significance of the science.
24. Mentioned above.
25. More uniformity in the data format Combining archives with other variable star observer associations
around the world
26. Since I study objects far outside of the local supercluster I feel I wasn't able to give you much if any good
feedback
27. Continue building relationships
28. Make sure APASS and database are well publicized at AAS and other professional meetings. There is
already a good start on this.
29. Though I'm interested, I've been slow to learn about the AAVSO projects, which are impressive
30. Educating professional astronomers on the resources available. Easy access and understanding of what
data is available.
31. Not sure
32. Advertise your services more. There were many operations of the AAVSO mentioned in this survey that I
don't know about, but which seem interesting and useful to me.
33. Not asking people who are not in the professional variable star community for input on the community
survey.
34. Possible by merging more "professional" data with the AAVSO data - a major undertaking, but the
amount of professional data when combined with AAVSO will provide the most complete archive with
the longest time-line.
35. I would appreciate an easier way to query lists of objects within APASS. This catalog has proved very
useful, but it is limiting that we can only do this through VIZIER.
36. 1. Identify professional astronomers to participate in the ongoing monitoring campaigns so that data can
be integrated efficiently into future analyses. 2. Better advertise the quality and utility of the APASS
survey.
37. You are doing fine. I could ask for more, but that's not your problem.
38. Keep at it
39. Last time I looked, it was possible to set up an alert when a particular star became brighter than a
particular magnitude. But there was no option for an alert when a star became fainter than some given
magnitude (which is what interested me).
40. I am not well enough aware of what is done now to say definitively. Based on that fact I would say that
working on building bridges between your group and professional researchers. There are certainly
projects that I could involve amateurs in if I had more connections there.
The Raw Survey Files in .ascii format
RespondentID,CollectorID,StartDate,EndDate,IP Address,Email Address,First Name,LastName,Custom
Data,"Which statement best describes you professionally? I am currently:",,"Please indicate which term best
describes you:",,"The country where I work and reside is:","Are you a current or past member of the
AAVSO?","What are the main variable star types (up to 3) that you study and research? Please refer to the
AAVSO VSX master list of variable star types at http://www.aavso.org/vsx/index.php?view=about.vartypes",,,,"If
you have visited the AAVSO website (www.aavso.org), please rate the following statement, otherwise do not
enter a response. “The AAVSO Website has excellent variable star content and offers easy navigation.” (10 is
strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)",,"Have you used AAVSO observational data in the
past?","If you have used AAVSO observational data in the past, what was the purpose? Leave blank if you have
never used AAVSO observational data.",,"If you have used AAVSO observational data in the past, please rate the
following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response. “The observational data of the AAVSO is of high
quality.” (10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)",,"If you have used AAVSO Variable Star
Charts generated by the Variable Star Plotter, known as ""VSP"" (http://www.aavso.org/vsp), please rate the
following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response. “The quality of the AAVSO’s VSP, charts, and
sequences is excellent.” (10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)",,"If you have not used
the AAVSO VSP, what is the source of your sequence data or comparison stars?","If you have used the AAVSO’s
Variable Star Index, known as “VSX” (http://www.aavso.org/vsx/), please rate the following statement.
Otherwise do not enter a response. “The quality of the content in the AAVSO’s VSX is excellent.” (10 is
strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)",,"If you are familiar with the Journal of the AAVSO,
known as the ""JAAVSO"" (http://www.aavso.org/journal-aavso), please rate the following statement.
Otherwise do not enter a response. “The JAAVSO is an excellent technical publication relative to major
astronomical journals.” (10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)",,"APASS is the AAVSO
Photometric All Sky Survey which covers the sky of both hemispheres in Johnson B and V, plus the Sloan g′, r′, i′
pass bands. It is valid from about 10th magnitude to about 17th magnitude. For more information, please go to
http://www.aavso.org/apass. Are you already familiar with APASS?","Do you plan to use APASS in the
future?","AAVSOnet is the AAVSO’s worldwide network of robotic photometric telescopes. For more
information, please visit http://www.aavso.org/aavsonet. Have you ever used AAVSOnet?","If you have used
AAVSOnet, please rate the following statement. Otherwise do not enter a response. “The quality of the
photometric data from AAVSOnet is excellent and the system is easy to use.” (10 is strongly agree, 5 is neutral,
and 0 is strongly disagree)",,"Are you familiar with the Outreach and Public Education efforts of the AAVSO, such
as Hands on Astrophysics (now Variable Star Astronomy), Citizen Sky, or courses offered through the Carolyn
Hurless Online Institute for Continuing Education in Astronomy (CHOICE in Astronomy)?","If you are familiar
with the Outreach and Public Education efforts of the AAVSO, please rate the following statement. Otherwise
do not enter a response. “The AAVSO has excellent Outreach and Public Education efforts.” (10 is strongly
agree, 5 is neutral, and 0 is strongly disagree)",,"Have you participated in past AAVSO campaigns or collaborated
with amateur observers?","Have you published with amateur observers as co-authors?","Have you published in
the Journal of the AAVSO (JAAVSO)?","What are the three greatest strengths of the AAVSO?",,,,"What are the
three greatest weaknesses of the AAVSO?",,,,"What are the three greatest opportunities for the
AAVSO?",,,,"What are the three greatest threats to the AAVSO?",,,,"What suggestions do you have for how the
AAVSO can better serve the professional variable star community?","If you would like to receive feedback about
this survey once it is complete, please enter your email address. If not, please leave this space blank."
57,57,57,57,57,57,57,57,57,"Response","Other (please specify)","Response","Comments","Open-Ended
Response","Response","1)","2)","3)","Comments:","","Comments or
suggestions:","Response","Response","Other (please specify)","","Comments or suggestions:","","Comments or
suggestions:","Open-Ended Response","","Comments or suggestions:","","Comments or
suggestions:","Response","Response","Response","","Comments or suggestions:","Response","","Comments or
suggestions:","Response","Response","Response","1)","2)","3)","Comments:","1)","2)","3)","Comments:","1)","
2)","3)","Comments:","1)","2)","3)","Comments:","Open-Ended Response","Open-Ended Response"
2561548250,38019705,04/10/2013 18:19:18,04/10/2013 18:37:33,"198.123.53.244","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an observer","most observers are also data miners these days","USA","No","hot stars",,,"""stars""
are not the only variable phenomena under investigation - I do some work on variable galactic
nuclei","8",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","help validate photometry obtained with
Kepler","7",,,,,"8",,"8",,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","7",,"No","No","No","rapid response capability for photometry
of newly identified sources","monitoring and dataset collection for far more sources than are professionally
observed",,,,,,,"complement dedicated ground- and space-based time series surveys",,,,,,,,"continue interacting
with the AAS, providing information on the AAVSO's capabilities.",michael.n.fanelli@nasa.gov
2552850197,38019705,04/05/2013 14:33:50,04/05/2013 14:37:28,"156.17.59.30","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"Poland","No","solar-like oscillators","beta
cephei","SPB",,"9",,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,,,,,,"8",,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","9",,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,mole
nda@astro.uni.wroc.pl
2552844914,38019705,04/05/2013 14:14:40,04/05/2013 14:35:11,"128.118.69.254","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","N","CV","HMXB","These are the types of targets for which I consult
the AAVSO site.","10",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","Planning observations and instrument modes for the Swift
UV-Optical Telescope","10",,,,"I don't use comparison stars in my work. My primary responsibilities are to plan
targets of opportunity with the Swift satellite and to perform photometry of Gamma Ray Burst afterglows with
the Swift/UV-Optical Telescope. The detector is quite stable and most photometry can be performed without
comparison stars.",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Comprehensive source of up-to-date variable
star information","Help for beginning and experienced observers",,,,,,,"More professional-amateur
campaigns",,,,,,,,,chester@swift.psu.edu
2540338130,38019705,03/28/2013 15:35:34,03/28/2013 15:40:26,"193.190.230.74","","","","","a government
researcher",,"a data miner","There was some evolution from observer to data miner in recent
years","Belgium","No","Main sequence pulsators","Eclipsing variables","Long period
variables",,"5",,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,,,,,,"5",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2534018963,38019705,03/25/2013 11:25:04,03/25/2013 13:53:56,"194.141.47.130","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician",,"Bulgaria","No","eclipsing stars","cataclysmic stars","double
stars",,"9",,"No",,,,,,,"SIMBAD","9",,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","many observers",,,,,,,,"fast
communications between members",,,,,,,,,d.kyurkchieva@shu-bg.net
2523629146,38019705,03/19/2013 12:16:00,03/19/2013 13:32:07,"86.143.240.42","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner","Actually I do a bit of all three","England","No","Eclipsing","CVs","RR,
DSCT",,"8","It's pretty good","Yes","Other (please specify)","Partly for publication but also for checking objects
out","7","The quality can be a bit variable and really you need to be familiar with the star to get the best out of
it","8","The charts and sequences are a huge improvements on what has gone before",,"8","Generally I think it
is up to date and for general variable star discoveries these days is probably the only show in town. How it will
cope with vast numbers of automatic discoveries remains to be seen and perhaps it should not even
try.","7","It's a useful publication for variable star papers","Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","Yes","The
breadth of the observer base","The usually good quality of the data","New developments VSX, AAVSOnet,
APASS etc",,,,,,,,,,"Losing touch with the membership","Staying relevant in a world of big data",,,"The AAVSO is a
membership organisation so what might be seen as good for professionals might not be seen in the same light
by the membership. Personally I'd like to see greater access to modest automatic telescopes for time series and
monitoring observations.",
2522246470,38019705,03/18/2013 18:51:35,03/18/2013 19:06:30,"151.141.84.106","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician",,"U.S.A","No","Miras","Semiregular Variables","Irregular Variables","I model their
stellar atmospheres.",,,"Yes","Publication",,"8","Back when I used it, some of the observations were visual
guesses, otherwise I would have ranked this as a 10.",,,"Bright Star and SAO Catalogs, and Simbad online
utility.",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","10",,"Yes","Yes","No","good record keeping","fairly accurate data","friendly
membership",,"need more advertisement of their utilities","would like to get spectral observations
too",,,"synoptic observations","getting amateurs involved with professional research",,,"funding",,,,"perhaps
getting a list of professional astronomer's email addresses who do research in variable stars and emailing
information of current and new programs and software you have available",lutter@mail.etsu.edu
2521136149,38019705,03/18/2013 08:11:40,03/18/2013 09:07:57,"31.31.98.176","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"Ukraine","No","Long period variables","Eclipsing binaries","Cataclysmic
variables",,"10",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","Educational activity, data processing together with AFOEV data
with futher publication","8","acceptable quality for amateur observations","7",,"articles, stellar
catalogues",,,"8",,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","Yes","great number of observations","exellent service
for observers","educational activity",,,,,,"join amateur and professional astronomer's researches",,,,"decrease of
the popularity of variable stars researches in professional astromomy","small financial support of astronomy
education and activity in some countries",,,"Is it possible to make APASS service like NSVS or ASAS with access to
light curve of the object?",vmarsakova@mail.ru
2518813950,38019705,03/15/2013 20:41:17,03/15/2013 20:54:24,"132.246.193.92","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Retired but active professional researcher","an observer","I also reduce and analyse all my own data
for my research.","Canada","Yes","Extrinsic (B1, SB2,
SB3)","Eclipsing","Rotating",,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"9",,,,,"5",,"3",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","Yes","N
o","Data quality and completeness","Long history","Not having ""amateur"" in its title",,"Perception as USA
only","Insufficient mixing and intermingling with professional bodies","Insufficient visibility despite their
essential part in Outreach",,"Outreach: doing the professionals' work for them, in fact","Building a network of
reliable observers worldwide","Diversifying into technology other than photometry",,"Not breaking down the
gap between Pro and Am.","Assuming that spectroscopy is easy, and just right for amateurs.","Funding: lack of
access to research money",,"Far more physical interaction (meetings) at which the input from both is assessed
and judged on its merits rather than on who the operators are.",
2511136853,38019705,03/12/2013 07:55:05,03/12/2013 08:07:41,"151.97.17.174","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an
observer",,"Italy","No","ACV","BY","FKCOM",,"8",,"No",,,,,"6",,,"7",,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,
,,,,,,,,,,,,,gcutispoto@oact.inaf.it
2510590552,38019705,03/11/2013 22:29:24,03/11/2013 22:35:20,"74.92.39.73","","","","","a private
researcher",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","UxOrs","Emission Line Stars","CV's",,"9",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"9",,"10",,,,,"7",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","10",,"Yes","9",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","Longevity","Science Lead","Vast
Volunteer Observer Base",,"Whining by all the Visual Observers",,,,"AAVSOnet","Surveys","Spectroscopy",,"Lack
of Understanding of the Prof astronomer","Failure to keep in mind who is the
customer",,,,bailyhill14@gmail.com
2509340048,38019705,03/11/2013 12:53:52,03/11/2013 13:05:21,"145.238.172.105","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an observer",,"France","No","CEP","E",,,"10",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","Preparation of
observations with large telescopes","8",,"9",,,"6",,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","Yes","Continuity of
observations","Bright star observations","Efficient diffusion of scientific methodology towards amateur
astronomers",,"Coverage of some important stars is fragmentary","Average accuracy of measurements is not
very high",,,"Bright stars are usually not observed by large professional surveys (saturation)",,,,,,,,"Focus on a
limited number of bright stars, that will not be observed efficiently by the coming very large surveys with large
aperture telescopes.",pierre.kervella@obspm.fr
2509038445,38019705,03/11/2013 08:07:06,03/11/2013 08:09:28,"134.171.35.59","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"germany","No","Supernovae","Recurrent Novae",,,"10",,"Yes","Other (please
specify)","Exploratory analysis","8",,"8",,,,,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"No","Yes","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2509026664,38019705,03/11/2013 07:44:49,03/11/2013 07:48:54,"129.78.233.210","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data
miner",,"Australia","No","semiregulars","Miras",,,,,"Yes","Publication",,"9",,,,,,,"5",,"No",,"No",,,"No",,,"No","Ye
s","No","length of data archives","availability of archives",,,"in the past, had to ask specifically for data (not sure
if that still holds)",,,,,,,,,,,,,
2507420611,38019705,03/09/2013 13:21:24,03/09/2013 13:52:19,"134.171.184.179","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"Chile","No","BE","SDOR","GCAS",,"9",,,"Publication",,"8","I work with S. Otero, his
expertise on data quality in the db was indispensible to make sound scientific use of the data
available.",,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No","long term monitoring at high cadence","historical
data availability",,,"data quality assessment not always obvious","less observers covering southern hemisphere
strars",,,"more and more observers migrating to CCD techniques",,,,,,,,"I have worked a lot with amateurs doing
spectroscopy (much more than about photometry). In my experience, the importance of the somewhat tedious
task of calibrating/ensuring quality and homogeneity of data is sometimes hard to drive home, and at least
some of the spectroscopists I worked with were quite prone to over interpretation of their results. In order to
judge the data, some more information on procedures might be given by each observer, this will become more
important as more and more amateurs will go CCD..",triviniu@eso.org
2507239669,38019705,03/09/2013 07:27:50,03/09/2013 07:39:23,"188.232.36.227","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an
observer",,"Russia","Yes","CEP","RR","RV",,"10",,"Yes","Publication",,"7",,,,"DSS","10",,"10",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"
No",,,,"Yes","Yes",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"leonid.berdnikov@gmail.com"
2506356960,38019705,03/08/2013 18:33:44,03/08/2013 18:37:18,"131.142.52.220","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","Cepheids","RR
Lyr","Miras",,"7",,"No",,,,,,,,,,"7",,"No",,"No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","extensive coverage of stars","increasingly
sophisticated instrumentation",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2506203357,38019705,03/08/2013 16:54:04,03/08/2013 17:26:27,"69.95.62.112","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Observatory research staff","an observer",,"USA","No","Long period variables (Miras, semi-regulars,
irregulars)","Cepheids","Be
stars",,"9",,"Yes","Publication",,"9",,,,,,,"9",,"No",,"No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Unique and valuable
databases","Useful online articles and content","Publications",,"lack of advertising of JAAVSO publications","lack
of clarity as to benefits of AAVSO membership for professional astronomers",,,"Continue to promote/facilitate
professional/amateur partnerships","Make data from small telescopes available to professional community as
small professional telescopes increasingly disappear","Reach out to professional astronomers to encourage
participation in AAVSO meetings and activities.",,"Cuts to federal research","Stellar research no longer
considered ""glamorous""","Planned robotic all-sky surveys",,"Find new ways to highlight news and discoveries
in variable star research to both professional researches and the general public.",
2506093881,38019705,03/08/2013 16:29:45,03/08/2013 16:36:58,"184.151.63.230","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"Canada","Yes","globular cluster variables",,,,,,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,,,"older
publications",,,"5",,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","Yes","the ability to collect data from many
observers",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2505929487,38019705,03/08/2013 15:16:11,03/08/2013 15:25:18,"24.91.36.207","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data
miner",,"USA","Yes","ACYG","IA","IB",,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,"8",,,,,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","
No","Emphasis on professionalism in science","Photometric database",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2504805362,38019705,03/07/2013 22:41:12,03/07/2013 22:48:52,"198.214.229.78","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","Cepheids","RR
Lyrae",,,"8",,"Yes",,,"8",,,,,,,"7",,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"No","No","Yes","Extensive historical data
archive","Involvement of amateurs in research","Public outreach in astronomy",,"Not as well known as it should
be","Seems not to be funded as well as it needs to be",,,"Cannot say",,,,"Cannot say",,,,"I believe that the AAVSO
serves the professional community well now.",
2503864141,38019705,03/07/2013 15:58:41,03/07/2013 16:04:20,"161.6.1.1","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","classical Cepheids","Type II Cepheids","HADS",,"8","The database is
sometimes the only useful resource.","Yes","Publication",,"5","The observational data vary enormously in
quality, from very good to rather dubious.",,,"I develop my own, standardized with Landolt sequences, or (in the
infrared) the Carter, CIT and other appropriate standard star
lists.",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","coverage -- professional astronomers cannot monitor
everything",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2503813984,38019705,03/07/2013 13:22:43,03/07/2013 15:44:12,"141.33.143.8","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"Germany","No","AM","Cataclysmic","Eclipsing",,"8",,"Yes","Other (please
specify)","Observation planning; supplement to own observations","6","Some data are really excellent; but
some are not reliable, eg. with heavily underestimated error
bars.","7",,,"7",,"6",,"No","No","No",,,"Yes","9",,"No","No","No","the successful, constructive collaboration
between amateurs and professionals as I don't know it from any other field of research",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2503514315,38019705,03/07/2013 13:21:23,03/07/2013 13:27:06,"75.58.176.10","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Retired academic professional.",,"Retired observer.","USA","No","Eclipsing
binaries.","Cepheids.",,,"8",,"No",,,,,,,"Personal choice or
observation.",,,"8",,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","Yes",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2503463261,38019705,03/07/2013 12:46:04,03/07/2013 12:53:11,"134.171.40.54","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer","I","Germany","No","M","PPN",,,,,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","N
o","its exiastence","an invaluable data base",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2502686576,38019705,03/06/2013 22:53:02,03/06/2013 23:02:31,"84.251.61.115","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"Finland","No","Cataclysmic
Variables",,,,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"7",,"9",,,"8",,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2502675118,38019705,03/06/2013 22:40:42,03/06/2013 22:56:27,"72.207.201.235","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","Nova","Supernova","Gamma Ray Bursts","I have worked on most
types of variables","10","Content is awesome and vital for my professional work. Navigability is of variable
quality, and it keeps changing","Yes","Publication",,"10","We all know that it is not perfect, but I know the
limitations, and most of my science works well with these limitations.","10","This is how I make all my finding
charts now. Gone are the days of Polaroid images of Palomar prints followed by putting a dashed line in pen.
AAVSO is now where I get a lot (but not all) of my comparison sequences.",,,"Hmm, I've never used it. What
does it do?","6","It is excellent at giving good data for the stars indicated. But some of the articles (like the ones
I put into JAAVSO in my youth) are not up to pro-standards. But this is OK, as no one is fooled, it is a good
training ground (like for me), and the data is great.","Yes","Yes","Yes","10","The data I got was awesome in its
vast coverage. I'm not sure how easy it is to use, as I (fortunately) had the data fed to me already with
magnitudes extracted.","No",,,"Yes","Yes","Yes","awesome amounts of data, often very old, wonderful
coverage","finder charts and sequences","AAVSO observers provide flexible and fast observations of important
stars",,"For old magnitudes, I have to get the old comparison sequences to convert the old magnitudes onto a
modern magnitude scale.","The nova search program is moribund",,,"Doing the bright star work (i.e., brighter
than 17th) that PanSTARRS and LSST cannot do",,,,"Perception that visual observations are no longer
needed","Few professionals are paying much attention to the AAVSO sunspot count",,,"Get APASS magnitudes
going deeper and deeper",schaefer@lsu.edu
2502663049,38019705,03/06/2013 22:45:26,03/06/2013 22:50:13,"135.19.147.172","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"Canada","No","Miras","Red variables",,,"8",,"No",,,,,,,"2MASS stars, I observe in
the near infrared",,,,,"No",,,,,,,,"No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2502662246,38019705,03/06/2013 22:45:57,03/06/2013 22:49:46,"86.136.228.63","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician","I am also an observer and an instrument builder","United
Kingdom","No","Pulsating sdB stars","Pulsating extreme helium stars","Pulsating white
dwarfs",,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"6",,,,,,,,,"No",,"No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2502643796,38019705,03/06/2013 22:37:20,03/06/2013 22:40:20,"134.171.163.97","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer",,"Chile","No","Supernovae","Novae",,,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,"9",,,,,,,"No",,"No",,,"No",,,"Yes","
No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2502540974,38019705,03/06/2013 21:45:39,03/06/2013 21:52:58,"63.225.23.189","","","","","Other (please
specify)","an industry professional in a non-astronomy-related field","an
observer",,"US","No",,,,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","10","I refer interested amateurs to the AAVSO as one of the best
groups for pro-am collaboration.","Yes","No","No","excellent outreach materials","provides ways for amateurs
to do science","supports professional science","AAVSO enables science to be done when professionals do not
have time to make all the observations.","lack of funding (AAVSO deserves more funding!)",,,,,,,,"funding
cuts","overall government cuts to science and grant agencies",,,,
2501746027,38019705,03/06/2013 16:20:53,03/06/2013 16:30:23,"129.93.68.61","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","CW","DCEP","RR",,"6",,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,,,"The HST Guide Star
Catalog",,,"6",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","The generation of archival data over many
years","Curration of variable star data","Involvement of amateur astronomers in research",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2497486523,38019705,03/04/2013 17:33:32,03/04/2013 17:39:40,"209.239.114.234","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes",,,,"It would identify me.","3",,"Yes","Publication",,"3",,"1",,"My
own","3",,"0",,"Yes","No","No",,,"Yes","6",,"Yes","No","Yes","Enthusiasm","Time","Latitudinal spread",,"Public
relations","Poor view of AAVSO held by most professionals",,,,,,,,,,,,
2494240437,38019705,03/01/2013 20:10:57,03/01/2013 20:16:30,"209.239.114.234","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer",,"Russia","Yes",,,,,"5",,"Yes","Publication",,"2",,"4",,,"7",,"2",,"Yes","No","No",,,"Yes","6",,"Yes","No","
No",,,,,"Small numbers of skilled people","Visual observations, to many","Reputation with professionals",,,,,,,,,,,
2492155910,38019705,02/28/2013 19:33:49,02/28/2013 19:41:02,"209.239.114.234","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Astronomy Teacher - High school and community","an observer",,"USA","Yes",,,,,"4",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"3",,"3",,,"5",,"0",,"Yes","No","Yes","7",,"Yes","4",,"Yes","No","No",,,,,"Comes over as elitest and
unfriendly","Lost sight of serving the MEMBERS",,,,,,,,,,,"Honest evaluation of APASS. Serious issues have been
ignored!!",
2490761683,38019705,02/28/2013 02:01:06,02/28/2013 02:07:11,"129.59.115.2","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"United
States","No","HMXB","BE","LERI",,"9",,"Yes","Publication",,"9",,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","9",,"Yes","No","No
",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2488108915,38019705,02/26/2013 20:44:42,02/26/2013 20:58:21,"209.239.114.234","","","","","a government
researcher",,"a data miner",,"USA","Yes","L, LA, LB",,,,"4",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"2",,"5",,,"4",,"1",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No",,,,,"Too many stars with too few
observation","Lack of strategic direction","Poor perception in wider astro community",,,,,,"Failure to identify
your target membership",,,,,
2486012377,38019705,02/25/2013 22:12:37,02/25/2013 22:28:10,"83.105.73.93","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"UK","No","N","NR","DQ",,"7",,"Yes","Publication",,"8","Some of it is good, but
inconsistent datasets can be present.",,,"Not used",,,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No","Promptly
available CCD photometry of variable objects",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2484672765,38019705,02/25/2013 10:52:15,02/25/2013 11:19:17,"129.240.190.136","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an observer",,"Norway","Yes","SN","QSO","GRB",,"5",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"5",,"8",,,,,"7",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","10",,"Yes","Yes","No","Strong outreach efforts","Name
recognition as an organisation","Database with significant heritage value",,"Unclear what role it has on an
international scale",,,,"Widespread availability of CCD, DSLRs and other electronic equipment","Generating free
and easy to use photometric software","""Citizen science""-type outreach projects",,"Irrelevancy for many
observers, if new info is available faster from other sources","Sensitive professional robotic sky surveys with
high cadence","Database having limited accessibility (or being perceived as having such)",,,
2484492921,38019705,02/25/2013 06:48:04,02/25/2013 06:50:59,"131.216.48.250","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","RS CVn","BY Dra","Eclipsing and transiting
variables",,"7",,"Yes","Publication",,"6",,,,,,,"7",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","3",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2484009970,38019705,02/24/2013 20:12:25,02/24/2013 20:21:07,"151.248.42.114","","","","","a private
researcher",,"an observer",,"Poland","No","R CrB","YSO","SR",,"6",,"Yes","Personal use",,"8",,"10",,"TYCHO
Catalogue","9",,"7",,"No","Yes","Yes","5",,"No",,,"No","No","No","VSP","LCG","Many stars and observations in
database",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,tomkrzyt@gmail.com
2482808739,38019705,02/23/2013 08:36:21,02/23/2013 09:09:02,"194.219.192.41","","","","","a private
researcher",,"an observer",,"GREECE","Yes","MIRA","SRB","UGSS",,"8",,"Yes","Personal use",,"9",,"5",,"CARTES
DU CIEL-STELLARIUM","7",,"9",,"No","Yes","No","9",,"No","8",,"Yes","No","Yes","VOLUME
INFORMATION","AVAILABLE FOR HELP","BREEFING FOR NEW EVENTS",,"awkward tools","charts","slow
server",,,,,,,,,,"Continue with the same interest",filoteia@gmail.com
2478968732,38019705,02/21/2013 03:58:33,02/21/2013 04:04:53,"139.229.34.195","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Observatory Support Staff","an observer","I also have some limited experience in data
mining","Chile","No","M",,,,"5",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"5",,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","5",,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2477763538,38019705,02/20/2013 16:50:12,02/20/2013 16:53:10,"184.35.24.34","","","","","Other (please
specify)","retired astronomy professor","an
observer",,"US","No",,,,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"No","No","No",,,"Yes","5",,"Yes","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2475677918,38019705,02/19/2013 16:44:49,02/19/2013 16:55:31,"156.12.33.53","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer","All three apply, but I suppose ""observer"" is the best one.","United States of
America","No","eclipsing binary stars","stars with spots",,,"10",,"Yes","Publication",,"10",,"10",,,"10",,,"I am not
familiar enough with JAAVSO to enter a response.","No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Finder Charts
(VSP)","Comparison Star Data (VSP)","Data Archive",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,preed@kutztown.edu
2475553678,38019705,02/19/2013 15:55:51,02/19/2013 16:03:43,"209.239.114.234","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a
theoretician",,"USA","Yes",,,,,"2",,"Yes","Publication",,"1",,"5",,,"4",,"2",,"Yes","No","No",,,"Yes","3",,"Yes","No"
,"No",,,,,"Photometric and astrometric issues with APASS","Too much unreliable data",,,,,,,"Recent bad
publicity","Funding",,,"Convince us that quality issues are being dealt with!!",
2475211526,38019705,02/19/2013 13:01:55,02/19/2013 13:21:23,"50.138.232.102","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","T Tauri Stars",,,,"8",,"Yes","Personal use",,"5","Too many bad
observations in the set I looked at. Some more quality control would have helped.",,,"Literature.",,,"5","It is a
good outlet for some work but not comparable to major astronomical journals, nor should it
be.","No","Yes","No",,,"Yes",,"Don't know enough about it to have an opinion.","Yes","Yes","Yes","Give
direction and advice to motivated people to ....","Provide useful data for astronomy","Engage citizens in
science",,"Need more YOUNGER people involved, I think","Sometimes too much focus on personal
""records""","Sometimes lose sight of science goals",,"Outreach to engage more people in science","Applying
new technology to make data more accessible","Perhaps connecting with other citizen science groups",,"Aging
observers locked to old technology/ways","Inward looking mentality","Not sure....",,"Better quality control on
the data banks. Perhaps some sort of system like Galaxy Zoo uses to rate the reliability of observers
automatically based on how they compare with others in their data. I realize this is much more difficult since
galaxy properties are not variable while the stars are. Perhaps there is something more that can be done to flag
bad data, though.",
2474120904,38019705,02/18/2013 18:08:26,02/18/2013 18:47:38,"74.177.121.152","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Retired physicist - government astronomical reserach supported for part of careet","an
observer","Solar physics observations","U.S.A.","No",,,,"The variable solar
activity",,,"No",,,,,,,"None",,,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2474091173,38019705,02/18/2013 18:22:47,02/18/2013 18:28:20,"76.119.233.168","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"United States","No",,,,"none",,,"No",,,,,,,"i'm a spectroscopist. when i need
photometry i have some colleagues who can occasionally get me the
data/results.",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2472993303,38019705,02/17/2013 21:54:37,02/17/2013 22:04:08,"66.56.171.139","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner","use observational data in computational modeling, in the middle between
observer and theoretical","USA","No","RV","SR","LPV",,"9",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","training students
and hopefully future publication","9",,,,,"10",,"9",,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","database of
observations freely and easily assessible","very long baseline for some stars","general information on variable
stars for student training",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2472566572,38019705,02/17/2013 10:12:45,02/17/2013 10:24:13,"86.161.191.139","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"France","No","Eclipsing","Eruptive",,,"3",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"2",,"4",,,"6",,"0",,"Yes","No","No",,,,,,"Yes","No","No","Amateurs have free time",,,,"To many visual
observations in database","To many low quality CCD observations in database",,,,,,,"Finance","Low quality
managers but high quality astronomers",,,,
2472458207,38019705,02/16/2013 23:31:27,02/17/2013 04:22:36,"69.136.125.100","","","","","a private
researcher",,"a data miner",,"USA","Yes","EA","NL","RCB","Also a few UG and M.","8","Content is excellent,
VSX, VSP, LCG are brilliant! Navigation is often confusing.","Yes","Publication",,"8","Evaluation of zero- point
errors in CCD data is difficult and reduction method of AAVSOnet data, including which comparison stars and
their mags and colors, are hidden.","10",,,"6","Attributions are often missing or complete. Many periods and
variable types lack attribution and/or date, opinions are also not attributed. Suggest that that kind of info carry
attribution and date if unpublished, or that VSX reflect only GCVS or published, peer-reviewed info. The
information quality, completeness, and timeliness is excellent!","3","Uneven and loose scientific requirements even papers by professionals often have an amateurish quality. PLEASE - place tables and figures in place with
text instead of at the back of a paper!!","Yes","Yes","Yes","7",,"Yes",,,"Yes","Yes","No","Its observers, staff and
volunteers","VSP, VSX, and LCG - hard to pick just one!","AAVSOnet",,,,,,"Increasing the credit given to amateurs
in pro publications - 12 co-authors? Not helpful.","Including spectroscopic data.","Encouraging and expanding
PEP observations.",,"Financial.","Rapid expansion, without adequate personnel or long-term support at
hand.","Possible large drain on resources by non-dues-paying users.","Suggest non-dues-paying users can
submit data but any requests for resources be filled only on an as-available basis.","The courses offered to
members go a long way to doing that. More knowledgable, willing to learn and interested observers who can
work in a team under the supervision and direction a PI would provide a pool of great collaborators. Maybe a
certificate for completing a ""collaborator-observer"" course of some kind?",
2472164924,38019705,02/16/2013 19:34:33,02/16/2013 19:42:49,"75.14.4.7","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician","I am slowly transitioning to a data
miner.","USA","No","ESD/WD","RR",,,"9",,"No",,,,,,,,"8",,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2471261241,38019705,02/15/2013 20:57:09,02/15/2013 21:01:37,"99.4.123.69","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Retired industrial professional in an astronomy-related field","a theoretician",,"United
States","No",,,,"None",,,"No",,,,,,,"Not applicable",,,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Broad
base",,,,,,,,"Continued expansion",,,,,,,,,
2470984270,38019705,02/15/2013 17:39:12,02/15/2013 18:33:40,"129.115.2.42","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","cataclysmic variables",,,,"9",,"Yes","Other (please
specify)","presentations","9",,"9",,,"9",,"5","have not used
jaavso","No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,"visibility",,,,,,,,"LSST",,,,,
2469758608,38019705,02/14/2013 22:47:07,02/14/2013 23:01:47,"128.208.190.231","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"USA","No","symbiotic stars","Mira variables","variable central stars of planetary
nebulae",,"9","Some of my favorites are not in the AAVSO
database.",,"Publication",,"10",,,,,,,"7",,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No","large numbers of different
types of variable stars","the light curve generator","noting the validated data",,"simply trying to deal with the
flood of variable star data",,,,"incorporating more data gathered by well-equipped amateurs into
database","keeping amateurs informed about outbursts, special observing campaigns","strengthening
professional-amateur connections through outreach, partnerships",,"not have enough operating funds to keep
up with data, software needs","not have enough funding to synch with projects such as LSST, etc",,,"Regional
meetings in US on variable star research, possibly sponsored by astronomy departments and/or amateur
societies?",jlutz@astro.washington.edu
2469592271,38019705,02/14/2013 21:16:14,02/14/2013 21:18:04,"216.73.252.183","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"United States of America","No","Young stars","BY Draconis","UV
Ceti",,"8",,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No",,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2468949376,38019705,02/14/2013 15:45:33,02/14/2013 15:55:38,"97.72.174.46","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Retired professional astronomer","an observer","I could claim part membership in all these
classifications.","United States","No","Eclipsing Binaries","Long-period cool
giants/supergiants",,,"7",,"Yes","Personal use",,"6","It was mixed. Some was very good; other,
confounding.",,,"Historical (from the literature); Bright Star Catalogue, Palomar Sky
Survey.",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No","Being a long-term epository for photometric
data","having multiple, diverse sources for data",,,"Too much of data is visual estimates","Too little
publicity",,,,,,,"Not having the money to continuing servicing data base",,,,,
2468145097,38019705,02/14/2013 02:04:31,02/14/2013 02:12:07,"68.111.13.239","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Information Services professional","an observer","Will also analyze
data","USA","Yes","M","SR","RV",,"10",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"10",,"10",,,,,"8",,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2468002590,38019705,02/13/2013 23:57:06,02/14/2013 00:13:07,"69.225.84.18","","","","","a private
researcher",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","dwarf
novae","cepheids","polars",,"10",,"Yes","Publication",,"9",,"10","VSP is a major step forward. It allows printing
in all scales and orientations. I also get comp star tables from the system.",,"6","VSX has good data but the
interface is due for an update. The slightest mistype in a star name returns no result especially in the case of an
SDSS object. The system doesn't refresh itself very well. It can be hard to
use.","8",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8","CHOICE is an interesting development, finally a way to learn good
relevant things.","Yes","Yes","No","A strong link to its observers","lots of good data","lots of excellent on-line
resources",,"a weak link to its observers (I know...)","the struggle to meld with the visual history of data",,,"dslr
photometry seems to be blooming","spectroscopy is right on the edge of being useful for
amateurs",,,"money","leadership in the new director",,,,
2467574970,38019705,02/13/2013 20:01:24,02/13/2013 20:06:47,"128.151.144.8","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"U.S.A.","No","T Tauri","Mira",,,,,"Yes","Publication",,"9","AAVSO provides crucial
information on interesting stars.",,,"I used the old, blue, charts. They were very
good.",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Inspiring dedicated observerors to make important
measurements",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2467534291,38019705,02/13/2013 19:42:08,02/13/2013 19:47:26,"128.171.73.73","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer","You should also include instrumentalist as an
option.","USA","No","FUOR","CTTS/ROT",,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,,,,"Yes","No","No","Long term
archive of observations",,,,,,,,"Variable star astronomy is likely to be revolutionized by robotic astronomy",,,,"As
astronomers are swamped by data sets (PTS, PanSTARRS, LSST, etc.) AAVSO data may be passed over in favor of
other surveys",,,,,
2467490356,38019705,02/13/2013 19:20:28,02/13/2013 19:26:30,"128.196.60.187","","","","","Other (please
specify)","work on schedules for NASA mission at the University of Arizona",,"none of the
above","US","No",,,,"near earth objects",,,"No",,,,,,,"USNO and other deep
catalogs",,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No","training amateurs to produce good data","maintaining a
very large database","ease of obtaining data",,,,,"not familiar enough to reply","amateurs with CCD
cameras","amateurs with good data reduction software",,,,,,,,
2467319843,38019705,02/13/2013 17:56:14,02/13/2013 18:06:33,"198.181.231.228","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","Cataclysmic variables","white dwarfs","M
stars",,"9",,"Yes","Publication",,"10",,"9",,,"9",,"6","Its useful for some things but not sure I would rate it
excellent compared to ApJ :)","No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","9",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","its coordination of amateurs with
professionals","the long term dataset","the fun people in the organization",,"too few women","not enough
recognition/advertising","not enough use of its database",,"the increased attention on variable stars","the
closing of national small telescopes",,,"LSST/panstarrs, etc overwhelming everything","aging of its
membership",,,"keep a presence at professional meetings",
2467298686,38019705,02/13/2013 17:38:10,02/13/2013 17:57:30,"129.1.167.158","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","RR","LPV","ACEP",,,,"No",,,,,,,"I am usually working with fainter stars,
so obtain my own comp star mags from all-sky
photometry.",,,"2",,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","coordinating amateur and professional
astronomers","providing very long photometric time series","providing reliable online info and data",,"i rarely
find time to peruse the journal or webpages (my fault)",,,,,,,,,,,,,laydena@bgsu.edu
2467260082,38019705,02/13/2013 17:31:05,02/13/2013 17:39:51,"128.171.75.179","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes",,,,"I don't study variable stars","6","Excellent content, hard to
navigate","Yes","Personal use",,"10",,"10",,"N/A",,,"5",,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","9",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","Network
of dedicated amateurs","Providing data beneficial to professional community","Public
involvement",,"Maintaining funding base","Recruiting new younger members",,,,,,,"economy / funding
opporutnities",,,,,
2467073765,38019705,02/13/2013 16:09:42,02/13/2013 16:15:41,"132.194.46.53","","","","",,,"an
observer",,"United States","Yes","Mkn 501","Mkn 421","BL Lac",,"7",,"Yes","Publication",,"9",,"8",,"Other
finding charts",,,,,"No","Yes","Yes","10",,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No","Outreach","Data archives","Public
relations",,"Too heterogeneous and complex","Too varied the data",,,"Interface between amateur and
professional","Education and outreach",,,"Technology and automation",,,,,
2466996085,38019705,02/13/2013 14:59:09,02/13/2013 15:49:29,"130.39.13.56","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes",,,,"all kinds of variables over the years","10","I'm not always so happy
with the navigation aspect.","Yes","Publication",,"8","I marked '8', because in a huge data base, there is no way
to know the quality of an individual data point. Some of the errors quoted have so many decimals that they
must be precision estimates, but not accuracies. One does not know what to believe unless the history and
capabilities of the observer exist somewhere in a published paper.","8","The charts seem to be excellent;
overall the sequences are good and improving, but not excellent.",,"9","SIMBAD can provide additional
information, cross-identifications, for example. VSX cannot be expected to contain everything.","9","One might
consider enlarging its format, page size; consider longer manuscripts; increase frequency of publication; find
way to endow staff position because an enhanced eJAAVSO will include enhanced costs; certainly the eJAAVSO
should be continued, enhanced, and expanded.","Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","9","familiar with, but have not used
or participated; the outreach and public education efforts seem to be well received.","Yes","No","Yes","long
data strings for many stars","opportunity for amateurs and professinals to collaborate","APASS","there is a level
of respect in the professional community for much of what AAVSO does.","endowment needs considerable
enhancement","the eJAAVSO needs to be expanded, and advertised",,"perhaps have a booth at the winter AAS
meeting; costly, but maybe could arrange a 'break' in fee; a booth would give more exposure to the
professional community","APASS, if conrinued long term, that is, keep on acquiring data","the eJAAVSO could be
used, both as current, and for short discovery type articles",,"APASS program should be contiued over the years,
covering the sky again and again.","big all sky surveys","lack of sufficient donation and research grant
income","trying to do too many things","concentrate on good science, with an emphasis that amateurs can have
fun and contribute useful data","continued strong leadership by someone professional community recognizes,
appreciates, and respects; such is needed if the organization expects to attract research grants, in national
competition, on a sustained basis.",landolt@phys.lsu.edu
2466880220,38019705,02/13/2013 14:42:40,02/13/2013 14:47:22,"130.167.230.86","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an observer",,"usa","No","ep","eb",,,,"i have only downloaded APASS data from
aavso","Yes","Other (please specify)","cross reference with my own data in preparation for
publication","7",,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466850103,38019705,02/13/2013 14:25:02,02/13/2013 14:35:34,"151.200.146.117","","","","","an industrial
professional in an astronomy-related field",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes",,,,,,,"Yes","Other (please
specify)","Research to be published later","9",,,,,,,,,"No","No","Yes","5","Two separate questions are being
asked. My rating is an average of 9 for 'quality of data' and 1 for 'easy to use'. I had much difficulty interacting
with the telescope assistant and ultimately did not get data in the format I had requested although he could
have easily produced it.","No",,,"Yes","Yes",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466844640,38019705,02/13/2013 14:25:23,02/13/2013 14:29:42,"141.211.198.90","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","delta scuti","rs cvn","mira",,"7",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"7",,,,,,,,,"No",,"No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","No","No","harness interest of amateurs to make significant
discoveries",,,,"data quality could be improved","lack of infrared","should be better way to make request for
amateurs to observe a set of stars rather than just look and see what is there",,"make possibility partnerships
between amateurs and professional astronomers","try to help amateurs improve their use of technology to do
more than just visible broad band photometry",,,"lack of organization",,,,"try to push amateurs, especially the
well-heeled ones to branch out to other methods: a) infrared photometry b) high-resolution spectroscopy
(I'm thinking of some less expensive systems that could get used).",
2466692169,38019705,02/13/2013 12:53:14,02/13/2013 12:56:39,"190.163.78.53","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"Chile","No","RRLyra","Cepheids",,,"8",,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","Yes",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466456072,38019705,02/13/2013 08:10:25,02/13/2013 08:16:46,"195.169.141.54","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"The Netherlands","Yes","Intrinsic",,,,"10",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"10",,"9",,,,,"5",,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","The immensity of the database","The
enthusiasm of the members/observers","The professionalism of the organization",,"Can't think of a
thing",,,,"Evolution of the amateur skills","Interfacing with professionals",,,"Funding",,,,,
2466447171,38019705,02/13/2013 07:58:05,02/13/2013 08:02:20,"173.250.148.13","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"USA","No","Z Cam",,,,"6",,"Yes","Publication",,"10",,"7","My biggest issue with
the data is that you cannot download the charts in a format that is good for recreated the plots. It would be nice
if the data for the plots was available for download in a format that is easily read into python and
IDL.",,"5",,"5",,"No","No","No","5",,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466400787,38019705,02/13/2013 06:36:02,02/13/2013 06:44:58,"199.117.24.167","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","eclipsing binaries",,,,"9",,"Yes","Publication",,"10",,,,"I used APASS
data to generate an SED for one of the stars in a paper I
published.",,,,,"Yes","Yes",,,,"Yes","10",,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466380761,38019705,02/13/2013 06:06:40,02/13/2013 06:11:09,"134.4.62.134","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","CTTS","WTTS","YSO",,,,"No",,,,,,,"My own
datasets.",,,,,"No","Yes","Yes",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Ability to mobilize people all over the world!","Long
time baseline data",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Provide concrete ways for professionals and amateurs to collaborate (for example,
make a website for people to submit requests or announce willingness to observe).",
2466377236,38019705,02/13/2013 06:01:02,02/13/2013 06:05:20,"76.102.205.167","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"United
States","No","SN","N","CV",,"6",,"Yes","Publication",,"7",,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,bradcenko@gmail.com
2466357506,38019705,02/13/2013 05:24:59,02/13/2013 05:33:24,"192.68.148.66","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an observer",,"usa","No","eclipsing binaries","agn","rs cvn",,"8","Sometimes the star id I use to
search for observations comes back without data. Maybe having a SIMBAD like ""decoder"" would
help?","Yes","Publication",,"9","Good stuff. AS 10 would be perfect, and nothing is perfect, I'll give a
9.",,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes",,"I know the oureach exists, just not more than that.","Yes","No","No","Good
data that other sources do not have","dedicated amateurs","dedicated professional staff",,,,,,"Follow-up for
discovery observations","long-term monitoring",,,,,,,"Workshop at the AAS to introduce researchers to data and
AAVSO opportunities",
2466338877,38019705,02/13/2013 04:37:38,02/13/2013 05:03:30,"66.108.201.226","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","Recurrent Novae","Classical Novae","Type Ia
Supernovae",,"5","Excellent variable star content = 10 Easy navigation = 2 (It's often hard to find things, and it is
*very* slow.)","Yes","Publication",,"10",,"10",,,"10",,"7",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","Many
observers","Spread out all over the world","Quality data",,"Slow website","Occasionally some observers provide
lower-quality data","Can be difficult to organize AAVSO observers (but not usually)",,"Get the word out (via
education and publications) about how your observers can help pros by providing data unavailable from pro
telescopes",,,,"Pros not realizing that the data is of high quality",,,,,
2466291503,38019705,02/13/2013 03:52:53,02/13/2013 04:00:16,"38.127.159.2","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician",,"United States","No","T Tauri","FU Orionis",,"I'm not actually a variable star
researcher; but I do study star formation, so these types come up
frequently",,,"No",,,,,,,"N/A",,,"2",,"No","No","No",,,"Yes","8","I often point K12 students looking for science fair
projects or high school research projects to AAVSO. Anything you can do to offer a friendly welcome to them
(eg a page designed to get them started) would be useful.","No","No","No","well-defined projects","excellent
infrastructure","proven methodology",,"relatively narrow field of study",,,,"increase ties to inquiry-based
education","planetary transit timing",,,"time domain surveys (eg PTF, LSST)","light pollution",,,,
2466289458,38019705,02/13/2013 03:49:50,02/13/2013 03:57:40,"69.245.1.1","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","E","TTS/ROT","FUOR",,,,"Yes","Publication",,"7",,,,"Was not aware of
the VSP service.",,"Was not aware of this service.","5",,"Yes","Yes","No",,"Was not aware of this
service.","No",,,"Yes","Yes","Yes",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466274092,38019705,02/13/2013 03:05:31,02/13/2013 03:39:31,"132.248.3.7","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"Mexico","No","DSCT",,,,"7","Have visited only twice,
briefly.","No",,,,,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No","Large base of observers.","Provide data for both
amateurs and professionals","Provide an interface for amateurs and professionals",,"Inhomogeneous data sets
(?)","Lack of more professional input, guidance (?)","Lack of good photometric transformations to standard
systems (?)","Not sure about these; just off the top of my head.","Both amateur, student, and professional
participation.","Provide observations no longer done at professional observatories","World-wide coverage of
variable stars; complete light curves",,"Light pollution.","Lack of funding","Low visibility in academic
circles",,"Contact professional astronomers who are actively working on variable-star research. Interface more
with large projects such as Kepler, CoRot, GAIA,.... For example, the calibration of spectro-photometric
standards for the GAIA mission has identified a number of probable variable stars, which require followup
observations.",schuster@astrosen.unam.mx
2466247391,38019705,02/13/2013 02:59:18,02/13/2013 03:09:30,"72.79.233.190","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Astronomer - retired","an observer",,"US of A","Yes","CVs","EB","LPV",,"4",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"8",,"9",,,"3",,"8",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","long term coverage of variable
stars","accesible data sets","Standard sequences",,"they keep changing reporting formats","difficult to navigate
web page",,,,,,,"Visual observers feel they cannot compete with CCDs","Young observers are not becoming
active.",,,,rzissell@mtholyoke.edu
2466235930,38019705,02/13/2013 02:53:51,02/13/2013 02:57:03,"74.106.192.125","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","quasars","eclisping binaries",,,"9",,"Yes","Other (please
specify)","classroom use and student research
projects","9",,"9",,,,,"6",,"No","No","No",,,"Yes",,,"No","No","Yes",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466195283,38019705,02/13/2013 01:37:38,02/13/2013 02:15:10,"68.232.23.119","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","ZZ","AM",,,"7",,"Yes","Personal use",,"8",,,,"Differential photometry +
published SDSS magnitudes","6",,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","Yes","No","Personpower","Willingness to
participate in professional campaigns","Large, long term, high quality data",,"The negative connotations
""amateur"" carry among professionals",,,,"Increasing availability of low-cost science-grade CCDs for small
telescopes","Flood of variable star data from PANSTAARS and LSST will need follow-up",,,,,,"Not sure. I don't see
any great threats from without, but I can't comment on the internal structure and financial soundness.",,
2466167405,38019705,02/13/2013 01:40:41,02/13/2013 01:47:46,"96.244.73.215","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an observer",,"USA","No",,,,"don't study variable
stars","10",,"Yes","Publication",,"10",,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","APASS","free data
access","good interface to community",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466137200,38019705,02/13/2013 01:09:43,02/13/2013 01:14:18,"128.171.188.39","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","DBV","DAV","DOV",,,,"No",,,,,,,"Time series CCD imaging in the optical
from ground based telescopes and TIME-TAG data in UV from
HST",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Organizing large number of observational data","Observers
scattered at different part of the world","Large number of observers and
observations",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,anitta@gemini.edu
2466112389,38019705,02/13/2013 00:38:07,02/13/2013 00:51:19,"174.235.131.137","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer",,"USA","No","AGN","BLLAC","QSO",,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Focus on
a specialty","All inclusive data base","Enthusiasm for their mission",,"Not sure. My stellar observer friends love
you",,,,"Promote the science of variability in general and of stars specifically",,,,"Deep space envy.",,,,"Make the
field more exciting. Market the significance of the science.",
2466106063,38019705,02/13/2013 00:36:56,02/13/2013 00:45:41,"134.10.6.53","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"US","No","AGN","extrasolar planets",,,,"Need to spend more time at the
site.","Yes","Other (please specify)","Thesis
direction",,,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No",,,,,,,,,"robotic telescopes",,,,,,,,,
2466102443,38019705,02/13/2013 00:17:43,02/13/2013 00:42:26,"131.215.144.39","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"USA","No","RR Lyrae","CVs","RSCVn","microlensed
stars","8",,"No",,,,,,,,"8",,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","Yes","No","Historical data","Variable star
curation","Extended community",,"Use of human visual magnitudes","Limited depth and research
range","Research overlap with other amateur groups",,"Collaboration","Human visual computing",,,"sky
brightness","very wide field surveys",,,,
2466099742,38019705,02/13/2013 00:36:41,02/13/2013 00:39:53,"71.236.30.3","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","Eclipsing
binaries",,,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,,,"Question the consistency of the
precision of the data.",,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466058282,38019705,02/12/2013 23:45:51,02/13/2013 00:04:11,"68.147.205.184","","","","","Other (please
specify)","retired","a data miner","all of the above","Canada","Yes","EBs","XSPs","pulsating
stars",,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"5","Well the visual photometry can have huge errors, both systematic and
statistical.",,"I used the old finding charts but never depended on the relatively imprecise mags on the charts,
but then, I never did naked eye estimations, only pep work.","Prof. literature for well determined secondary
standards, or I established these myself from primary standards.","5",,"7","Well, should it should not compete
with AJ or ApJ, which are also ""techincal"", but could with, say, PASP.","No",,"No",,"I guess I should check it out
to see if they are precise enough to be useful for studies requiring high precision (my interest).","No",,"Good to
hear about it.","Yes","Yes","Yes","coordinating variable star campaigns","mentoring amateurs in variable star
techniques",,,"Not many people interested in the field, perhaps, so limited appeal base?",,,"SO what if it appeals
to a limited field; it's OUR field!","lobby efforts on behalf of v ariable stars & the community, maybe",,,"VS are
not a major priority with granting agencies or TACs, soa bigger profile might help people get support &
telescope time",,,,"threats? Protection rackets? Dwindling membership?","Mentioned above.",
2466054996,38019705,02/12/2013 23:59:02,02/13/2013 00:01:30,"134.4.30.126","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","RR
Lyr","Cepheid","AGB",,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","Yes","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2466052440,38019705,02/12/2013 23:53:35,02/12/2013 23:59:37,"137.165.251.74","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","Be","OB
supergiant",,,"8",,"No",,,,,"8",,,"9",,"7",,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","VSX","institutional
memory",,,,,,,"data mining","target of opportunity remote observing",,,,,,,,
2466049720,38019705,02/12/2013 23:47:50,02/12/2013 23:57:07,"173.76.154.204","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"US","No","SR","M","L",,"5",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","publication
planned","5","Have a more uniform format for the downloadable lightcurves. An irregular number of columns
(i.e. blanks for some entries) makes them hard to import into programs like idl, matlab, and
spreadsheets",,,,"5",,"5",,"No","Yes","Yes",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","good temporal coverage for many
stars",,,,"Having very limited southern hemisphere data","Lack of a world-wide data archive, connecting multiple
amatuer archives",,,,,,,"light pollution",,,,"More uniformity in the data format Combining archives with other
variable star observer associations around the world",
2466037634,38019705,02/12/2013 23:44:47,02/12/2013 23:47:48,"98.209.59.2","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer",,"US","No",,,,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","6",,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"(since I study
objects far outside of the local supercluster I feel I wasn't able to give you much if any good feedback)",
2466033647,38019705,02/12/2013 23:35:48,02/12/2013 23:44:47,"165.196.209.187","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","Eclipsing","Pulsating","Cataclysmic",,"7",,"Yes","Other (please
specify)","Class use","8",,"9",,,,,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No","Pro-am collaboration","Teaches
astrophiles how to do research",,,"Unknown",,,,"Working with orgs like ASP, Planetary society, SETI Inst.,
etc",,,,,,,,,
2466033472,38019705,02/12/2013 23:39:42,02/12/2013 23:44:54,"71.209.174.66","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"United States","No","L","SR","M",,"7","It'd be nice to access the data a bit more
directly in bulk. I find the AFOEV database less 'user-friendly' but more tractable in this
regard.","Yes","Publication",,"10","Great stuff.","5",,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No",,"Breadth of
available data",,,,"Data extraction",,,,"Modern instrumentation for amateurs: spectrophotometry","Modern
instrumentation for amateurs: near-IR",,,"Management & maintenance of data quality",,,,,
2466015274,38019705,02/12/2013 23:27:53,02/12/2013 23:31:00,"50.142.82.120","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a
theoretician",,"usa","No","Be","mira","binary",,"9",,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","
No","No",,,,,,,,,"adding spectroscopy content",,,,,,,,,
2465999656,38019705,02/12/2013 23:12:44,02/12/2013 23:19:21,"76.9.194.178","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician",,"United States","No","Cepheids","Miras","Type II
Cepheids",,"9",,"Yes","Publication",,"7",,,,,,,"6",,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No","Long time span of
observations","Easy to access data","Very open to researchers",,"Not enough press or professional
coverage","Observations would benefit from error bars",,,"Analysis of data spanning centuries for stellar
evolution","Continuous and consistent coverage of variable stars",,,,,,"I don't know",,neilsonh@etsu.edu
2465983344,38019705,02/12/2013 23:03:36,02/12/2013 23:07:45,"128.194.160.113","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA/China","No","Supernova","Eclipsing Binaries","Planet
Transit",,"8",,"Yes","Personal use",,"8",,"8",,,,,"8",,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes",,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465973409,38019705,02/12/2013 22:46:22,02/12/2013 23:00:48,"192.68.148.66","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an
observer",,"USA","No","EA","EP","EW",,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"7",,"8",,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No"
,"No","community","high standards",,,,,,"AAVSO has weaknesses?","internet/web","new/affordable
technology",,,"light pollution","general population apathy and ignorance","lack of awareness of
AAVSO",,,murison@alpheratz.net
2465949909,38019705,02/12/2013 22:25:53,02/12/2013 22:45:08,"76.91.249.246","","","","","an industrial
professional in an astronomy-related field",,"an
observer",,"USA","No","Eclipsing","Pulsating","Cataclysmic",,"10",,"No",,,,,,,,"10",,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No
","No","No","Dedicated members","Organization","Administration",,"Lack of funding","volunteer status of
members","small staff",,"Collaboration withnprofessional astronomers",,,,"Lack of funding",,,,"continue building
relationships",
2465948449,38019705,02/12/2013 22:41:09,02/12/2013 22:44:08,"66.231.215.70","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Retired Government Researcher","an
observer",,"USA","Yes",,,,,"9",,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Widespread Recognition &
Participation",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465937580,38019705,02/12/2013 22:31:20,02/12/2013 22:37:17,"131.225.7.18","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an observer",,"US","No","Pulsating",,,,"9","Worked easily for me.","Yes","Other (please
specify)","Research not being done for
publication","5",,,,,,,,,"Yes","No","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Continuity",,,,"One of its members accidently
backed into my car",,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465937385,38019705,02/12/2013 22:33:42,02/12/2013 22:37:11,"74.69.40.139","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer",,"USA","No","Eclipsing","Rotating","Pulsating",,"5",,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465922547,38019705,02/12/2013 22:26:10,02/12/2013 22:28:01,"209.119.70.1","","","","","an industrial
professional in an astronomy-related field",,"a
theoretician",,"USA","No",,,,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465922105,38019705,02/12/2013 22:21:02,02/12/2013 22:27:44,"129.8.129.62","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician",,"U.S.A.","Yes","UGZ","NL/VY","N","Cataclysmic variables of all kinds, including
dwarf novae, nova-likes, and classical
novae","10",,"Yes","Publication",,"10",,,,,,,"10",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","10",,"Yes","10",,"Yes","Yes","No","Excellent
data","Easy-to-use website","AAVSOnet",,,,,"None known",,,,,,,,,,
2465918665,38019705,02/12/2013 22:22:09,02/12/2013 22:25:42,"128.250.123.128","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer",,"Australia","No","Cepheids","Supernovae","LPVs",,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes",,,,"No",,,"Yes",,"No","All
sky coverage",,,,,,,,"Supernovae",,,,,,,,,
2465913537,38019705,02/12/2013 22:11:32,02/12/2013 22:22:41,"35.9.70.37","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"United States","Yes","RR
Lyrae","Cepheids","Supernovae",,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"10",,"10",,,"9",,"8",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","9",,"Ye
s","Yes","Yes","reliable data","worldwide placement of observers","long term perspective",,"uneven coverage of
variables",,,,"automated surveys","amateurs now have CCDs","long time coverage of variables",,"needs more
young observers","poor recent coverage of some variables with long observing records",,,"Make sure APASS and
database are well publicized at AAS and other professional meetings. There is already a good start on
this.",smith@pa.msu.edu
2465906766,38019705,02/12/2013 22:15:16,02/12/2013 22:18:34,"140.254.78.247","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"United States",,"Microlensing Events","AGN","QSO",,"8",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"7",,"8",,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465893944,38019705,02/12/2013 22:02:16,02/12/2013 22:11:13,"98.110.3.248","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","BY","UV","ROT",,"6",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","I explored what
was available, but it did not lead to a publication","8",,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","impressive
data","contributions of amateurs","APASS",,,,,,"interest in variable stars is increasing","Small telescopes being
devalued by professionals creates opportunity",,,,,,,,
2465890150,38019705,02/12/2013 21:51:42,02/12/2013 22:09:04,"140.252.3.167","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Astronomer in national observatory","a data
miner",,"US","No","pulsating","eruptive",,,"10",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","For general information, not to
publish",,"As far as I know the quality if fine for my purposes, but it I find the uncertainty of
bandpass",,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No",,,,,"Stars too bright for PanSTARRS and LSST",,,,"I'm not sure
about the photometric precision and quality control","All sky variability study of bright stars",,,,"Lack of steady
financial support",,,,"Though I'm interested, I've been slow to learn about the AAVSO projects, which are
impressive",
2465881150,38019705,02/12/2013 21:57:40,02/12/2013 22:03:56,"140.146.182.181","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","cataclysmic variables","carbon
stars",,,"10",,"Yes","Publication",,"10",,"10",,"Landolt photometry of Selected
Areas","10",,"5",,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Enthusiasm","Commitment to high-quality
photometry",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,rybskip@uww.edu
2465867102,38019705,02/12/2013 21:46:32,02/12/2013 21:56:17,"72.83.70.91","","","","","Other (please
specify)","retired",,"manager (observer in early years)","USA","Yes",,,,,"8",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","For a
talk","9",,,,"Johnson-Morgan strandards",,,"8",,"No","No","No",,,"Yes","9",,"No","No","No","large number of
dedicated observers","quality review of data as submitted","extensive archive",,"difficult to assess quality of
data submitted",,,,"recruitment and education of new observers",,,,"funding
limitations",,,,,nancy.roman6@verizon.net
2465862609,38019705,02/12/2013 21:52:09,02/12/2013 21:53:57,"134.171.162.171","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,,"No","cepheids","RR Lyra","delta scuti",,"9",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"6",,"7",,,"7",,"7",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465859261,38019705,02/12/2013 21:47:48,02/12/2013 21:52:14,"199.117.24.167","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician","Also an observer and sometimes a data miner.","USA","No","Transiting
Exoplanets","Eclipsing Binaries",,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No","Huge network of
widespread observers","Some time domain astronomy is very well done",,,"Educating professional astronomers
about the resources you have available","Perception that the quality of the observations may be
questionable.",,,"Educating professional astronomers about the resources available",,,,"Focusing resources on
projects that are not scientifically interesting, just because they are tractable.",,,,"Educating professional
astronomers on the resources available. Easy access and understanding of what data is available.",
2465854171,38019705,02/12/2013 21:46:25,02/12/2013 21:49:36,"130.157.169.57","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No",,,,,,,"Yes","Other (please specify)","we are contributing data to the
blazar watch","8","We are happy that the visual data can be excluded from the
lightcurves.",,,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","6","They used to be better, haven't heard much lately.","Yes",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465845081,38019705,02/12/2013 21:39:36,02/12/2013 21:45:17,"192.44.85.145","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer",,"Germany","Yes","HMXB","Be","LMXB",,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"9",,,,,,,"6",,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes",
"9",,"Yes","No","No","good, long-time lightcurves","reliable observations","great example of
amateur/professional collaboration",,,,,"I cannot think of a
weakness!",,,,,"LSST",,,,,joern.wilms@sternwarte.uni-erlangen.de
2465843485,38019705,02/12/2013 21:26:33,02/12/2013 21:44:19,"71.179.209.239","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician",,"USA","No","V361 Hya","V1093 Her","SN","Also M dwarf pulsations (predicted
but not yet discovered)","9","This should be two separate questions 10 for content 8 for
navigation","Yes","Other (please specify)","classification of classical
novae","10",,,,,,,,,"No",,"No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,"Don't have the knowledge to answer",,,,"Don't have the
knowledge to answer",,,,"Don't have the knowledge to answer",,,,"Don't have the knowledge to answer",,
2465819821,38019705,02/12/2013 21:29:56,02/12/2013 21:32:07,"141.211.198.134","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No",,,,,"7",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"9",,"10",,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465819522,38019705,02/12/2013 21:22:22,02/12/2013 21:32:02,"128.171.160.199","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner",,"usa","No","rrab","rrc","ew",,"10",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","list of variable
stars","10",,,,"ps1",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","the catalog of variable stars",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465793019,38019705,02/12/2013 21:11:32,02/12/2013 21:18:54,"199.17.55.142","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"usa","No","eclipsing",,,,"9",,"Yes","Publication",,"9",,,,"Previous uses in
literature",,,,,"Yes","Yes","Yes","10",,"Yes","7",,"No","No","No","robotic observing","archival
data",,,,,,,,,,,"observatories",,,,,
2465783972,38019705,02/12/2013 21:11:34,02/12/2013 21:14:37,"163.118.205.103","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a data miner","I am both an observer and data miner. I do both equally.","USA","No","RR
Lyrae","SX Phoenicis","Eclipsing Binaries",,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No","Not
sure",,,,"Based on my ignorance of the efforts above, I would say marketing",,,,"Not sure",,,,"Not sure",,,,"Not
sure",holuseyi@fit.edu
2465772737,38019705,02/12/2013 21:07:44,02/12/2013 21:09:01,"192.91.178.66","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No",,,,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"No","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465772355,38019705,02/12/2013 21:03:03,02/12/2013 21:08:48,"128.32.15.68","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"United States","No","RR Lyrae","Cepheid","Mira",,,,"No",,,,,,,"Observations I
conduct, WISE, 2mass.",,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No",,"No","Outreach","Collaboration with
amateurs","Long-baseline light curves",,"Lack of information about offered professional tools",,,,"Codify how we
can handle all the data from larger surveys",,,,"Not adapting to or incorporating future large scale
surveys",,,,"Advertise your services more. There were many operations of the AAVSO mentioned in this survey
that I don't know about, but which seem interesting and useful to me.",
2465764106,38019705,02/12/2013 20:57:29,02/12/2013 21:04:52,"140.254.78.248","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","EP","E",,"Exoplanet transit survey","5","I mainly use the variable star
index, which I think should be more obviously displayed. At least collapse VSX and the rest of the observing data
into one menu, and have data access closer to the top of the drop-down
menu,","No",,,,,,,,"9",,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,tbeatty@astronomy.ohio-state.edu
2465755894,38019705,02/12/2013 20:58:44,02/12/2013 21:01:08,"128.227.199.53","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","RR
Lyrae",,,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","dedicated membership",,,,"Publicity?",,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465703572,38019705,02/12/2013 20:35:14,02/12/2013 20:37:25,"128.217.236.34","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an observer",,"USA","No","x-ray
binaries",,,,,,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","Yes","No","accuracy of data","amount of
data","availability of data",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2465684258,38019705,02/12/2013 20:25:37,02/12/2013 20:28:58,"146.88.3.59","","","","","a government
researcher",,"an observer",,"USA","No",,,,"I do not study variable stars.",,"I have never visited the AAVSO
website.","No",,,,"I have never used AAVSO observational data.",,"I have never used AAVSO Variable Star
Charts","I do not study variable stars.",,"I have never used AAVSO's Variable Star Index.",,"I do not read
JAAVSO","No","No","No",,"I have never used AAVSOnet","No",,"I have no familiarity with AAVSO EPO
efforts","No","Yes","No",,,,"I do no work on variable stars",,,,"I do no work on variable stars",,,,"I do no work on
variable stars",,,,"I do no work on variable stars","_Not_ ask people who are _not_ in the professional variable
star community for input on the community survey.",
2465613134,38019705,02/12/2013 19:26:06,02/12/2013 19:57:39,"78.162.23.50","","","","","Other (please
specify)","i am amateur","an observer",,"Turkey","No","DCEP","E","M",,"7","Need beter DSLR photometry
tutorial. Usually need to scroll to bottom of homepage to navigate where i want.","Yes","Personal
use",,"9","Better distinction for miu cep and MU cep etc.","8","Charts show only variable star under
consideration or all GCVS stars or all variables. I want an additional option for plotting all variable stars brighter
than a threshold magnitude. It will be useful for regions around Milky Way.","N/A","8","Contains many
suspected variables so i sometimes use GCVS to select which stars to
observe.",,,"Yes","No","No",,,"Yes","7","Citizen Sky is very nice. I started VSO with 10 star tutorial but i think
online courses would help a lot. Also awaiting DSLR photometry tutorial.","Yes","No","No","Observers
worldwide","Visual estimates are welcome so not much investment needed","Historical data",,"More public
outreach needed","New citizen sky projects would be welcome","Manuals except visual observing one need
improvement",,"Citizen sky","Improved and more economical CCDs","Bright star photometry with
DSLRs",,"Decline in number of visual observers","Crash of database of
observations",,,,erhanasimozturk@gmail.com
2464037232,38019705,02/11/2013 22:34:04,02/11/2013 22:44:49,"134.161.26.62","","","","","an academic
professional",,"a theoretician",,"USA","Yes","DCEP","RRC","DCEPS",,"8",,"Yes","Other (please
specify)","Educational - to show light curves","8",,,,"Not an
observer",,,"8",,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","inclusiveness of all astronomers","providing
information access","being flexible",,"Some of the best things are not known to all",,,,"Using regular cameras for
photometry","Involving more through outreach",,,"keeping interest high","Not as ""sexy"" as comets (but
endure longer)",,,"Possible by merging more ""professional"" data with the AAVSO data - a major undertaking,
but the amount of professional data when combined with AAVSO will provide the most complete archive with
the longest time-line.",
2462090684,38019705,02/10/2013 17:40:06,02/10/2013 17:45:50,"70.91.174.193","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Staff Astronomer at Space Telescope Science Institute","a data
miner",,"USA","No","EP","EW",,,"7",,"Yes","Publication",,"7",,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"No","No","No",,
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"I would appreciate an easier way to query lists of objects within APASS. This catalog has proved very
useful, but it is limiting that we can only do this through VIZIER.",
2461819265,38019705,02/10/2013 06:25:13,02/10/2013 06:36:29,"101.161.231.134","","","","","a private
researcher",,"a data miner",,"Australia","Yes","M","SR","RCB",,"9",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"9",,"9",,,"10",,"9",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","Yes","APASS","VSX","IDB","All are laudable
initiatives",,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2461549674,38019705,02/09/2013 20:53:28,02/09/2013 21:02:50,"24.121.241.89","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer",,"USA","No","UXOR","FUOR","TTS",,"7",,"No",,,,,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No","roboti
c systems and dedicated observers produce great temporal coverage","data quality is quite high","organization
is well managed, so observers are recognized and valued for their contributions",,"Hard to assess what objects
are being monitored","not clear for a professional how to request help monitoring a given object","tools for
extracting publishable data from contributed light curves are not intuitive for (this) professional
astronomer(s)",,"APASS will be a remarkable resource for the community","Time domain observations are
becoming more important in the professional community, so AAVSO is well positioned to contribute to future
studies",,,"current funding climate makes support from national agencies difficult (as I'm sure you know).",,,,"1.
Identify professional astronomers to participate in the ongoing monitoring campaigns so that data can be
integrated efficiently into future analyses. 2. Better advertise the quality and utility of the APASS
survey.",kcovey@lowell.edu
2461529374,38019705,02/09/2013 20:24:19,02/09/2013 20:32:40,"174.64.10.176","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","R Coronae Borealis",,,,"8",,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,,,"VIZIER,
APASS","7",,"5",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","8",,"Yes",,,"Yes","Yes","Yes","The Amateurs","The Variable star
database","APASS",,"small membership base",,,,"Following up the many new transients being discovered",,,,"all
sky surveys",,,,,
2461304872,38019705,02/09/2013 14:30:19,02/09/2013 15:13:38,"80.1.249.182","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"United Kingdom","No","gamma-ray bursts","LMXB","AGN",,"9",,"Yes","Other
(please specify)","calibration, using
APASS","9",,"9",,,,,"8",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No","Meticulous in calibration (e.g. in
APASS)","Friendly community that is very helpful","Alot of members (and therefore lots of eyes on the
sky!)",,"Age and gender balance is still a bit askew","Links with worldwide efforts could be better (e.g. language
barrier for non-American amateurs)",,,"APASS is a treasure, in which real gems are hidden! Integration of APASS
within exisiting calibration frameworks (eg SDSS) is important.","APASS will be REALLY nice when Gaia flies.
AAVSO should be ready to jump on that","Perhaps the coming-of-age of multi-telescope robotic networks with
an education/amateur arm (LCOGT) provide a good opportunity to form stronger alliances with
professionals",,"Some of the key members are ageing!","Easy/cheap access to robotic facilities for many (eg
LCOGT) may give the impression that there is not much discovery potential left",,,,kw113@le.ac.uk
2460677508,38019705,02/08/2013 22:05:02,02/08/2013 22:16:51,"71.225.130.160","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","Eclipsing Binary Stars","Pulsating
Stars","Exoplanets",,"9",,"Yes","Publication",,"8",,"9",,,,,"7",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","8",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","Avi
d interest in variable stars","organization of observing campaigns abd supporting observations","education and
public outreach programs",,"need higher precision observations","lack of contacts with professions",,,"All sky
variable star photometry of brigter variables","additional education programs","support NASA missions / BRITE
mission",,"All sky photometry programs","aging membership",,,,edward.guinan@villanova.edu
2460438457,38019705,02/08/2013 19:54:48,02/08/2013 20:01:02,"94.65.10.245","","","","","Other (please
specify)","Advanced amateur and hobbyist","an observer",,"Greece","No","HADS","SxPhe","EB",,"10",,"No",,,,,,,"TheSky V6 ... matched for magnitude and spectral type (air
mass)",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","Yes","No","background data (mags, period, %rise etc)","neighbouring
stars (if available)","alternate designations",,"inability to generate ephemeris predictions","inability to import
legacy data (ex. AIP4Win)",,,,,,,,,,,"Nice to have ephemeris predictions (ex. EB) and also to import legacy data (ex.
AIP4Win) to add to existing data base.",
2460388535,38019705,02/08/2013 19:26:59,02/08/2013 19:34:17,"41.78.164.201","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","novae",,,,"9",,"Yes","Other (please specify)","preparation for
observations","9",,,,"self-constructed sequences",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","10",,"Yes","No","No","enthusiastic
observers","quality observatioms","time-coverage",,"time coverage","lack of multi-wavelenth
coverage","longitudinga concentration","observers tend to lose interest in novae after a few
months","engagement with professionals",,,,"light pollution",,,,"You are doing fine. I could ask for more, but
that's not your problem.",
2460338536,38019705,02/08/2013 18:51:42,02/08/2013 19:08:33,"142.103.239.156","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer","all three categories describe me (plus instrumentalist) but I started as an observer
and remain none at heart","Canada","No","pulsating: roAp, DSCT, BCEP, GDOR","rotating: FKCOM, CTTS/ROT,
TTS/ROT","transiting exoplanet systems","plus solar-type pulsators (Sun-like and red
giant)","8",,"Yes","Publication",,"9",,,,"My team and I select appropriate
stars.",,,"6",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"Yes","9",,"Yes","Yes","No","consistent long-term monitoring of long-period
variables","liaison between amateur and professional communities","outreach ambassadors of astronomy to
the public",,"not represented at enough professional conferences","international profile could be
stronger",,,"new short-term data sets which must be linked to longer-term coverage",,,,"diminishing interest in
variable stars among potential members",,,,,matthews@astro.ubc.ca
2460197388,38019705,02/08/2013 17:52:39,02/08/2013 17:58:34,"68.111.227.136","","","","","a private
researcher",,"an observer",,"usa california","Yes",,,,"just enjoy looking","10","knowledge is alawy's
good","Yes","Personal
use",,"10",,"10",,,"10",,"10",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","10",,"Yes","9",,"Yes","No","No",,,,"learning",,,,"participation",,,,"
more participation",,,,"apathy","keep at it",lost5@cox.net
2460157403,38019705,02/08/2013 17:30:25,02/08/2013 17:40:12,"80.177.27.166","","","","","an industrial
professional in an astronomy-related field",,"an observer",,"UK","No","RCB",,,,"8",,"Yes","Other (please
specify)","Telescope proposals","9",,,,"None, I only care about the light curve you
produce",,,,,"No","No","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","Excellent temporal coverage","Validated data","Quick and
easy to generate an up-to-date light curve",,"Magnitude depth (which is a function of members'
equipment)","Sometimes there are clearly erroneous magnitudes",,,"Increasing professional interest in timedomain astronomy","Ever-improving amateur equipment",,,"Professionals might in future prefer professional
surveys e.g. LSST",,,,"Last time I looked, it was possible to set up an alert when a particular star became brighter
than a particular magnitude. But there was no option for an alert when a star became fainter than some given
magnitude (which is what interested me).",
2460133349,38019705,02/08/2013 17:24:16,02/08/2013 17:27:57,"145.255.241.32","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"Uk","No","CVs","Brown Dwarfs","Eclipsing binaries",,"10",,"Yes","Personal
use",,"8",,,,,"9",,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes","No","No",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2458878484,38019705,02/07/2013 22:48:33,02/07/2013 22:57:41,"198.228.224.173","","","","","a private
researcher",,"an observer",,"USA","Yes","Extrasolar","Minor planets","CV",,,,"Yes","Personal
use",,"5",,"10",,,"7",,"2",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","7",,"Yes","7",,"Yes","Yes","Yes","Historical database","Eager
amateur observers","High data quality","Needs to start taking spectroscopic data","Mired in the past","Slow to
accept new ideas",,,"Spectroscopy","APASS",,,"Mired in the past",,,,,
2456423799,38019705,02/06/2013 19:19:53,02/06/2013 19:28:42,"144.216.60.27","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No","pulsating","eclipsing",,"Mostly RR Lyrae and other instability
stars.",,,"No",,,,,,,"I mainly work with faint halo stars so I choose comparisons from the field and calibrate it
using Landolt standards.",,,,,"No","Yes","No",,,"Yes","9",,"No","No","No","Putting amateurs to work on projects
that would otherwise be neglected.","Providing direction and focus.","Education of general public.",,,,,,,,,,"Light
pollution.",,,,"I am not well enough aware of what is done now to say definitively. Based on that fact I would say
that working on building bridges between your group and professional researchers. There are certainly projects
that I could involve amateurs in if I had more connections there.",powellwl@unk.edu
2456419999,38019705,02/06/2013 19:21:16,02/06/2013 19:26:59,"198.178.132.252","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an
observer",,"USA","Yes","CEP","EA","EB",,"10",,"Yes","Publication",,,,"10",,,,,"10",,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"Yes"
,"Yes","Yes","Pro-Am communication and collaboration","long-term database","opportunities for outreach and
education",,,,,,"APASS is a great project",,,,"diminished funding",,,,,
2456311811,38019705,02/06/2013 18:30:32,02/06/2013 18:36:15,"216.73.249.154","","","","","an academic
professional",,"an observer",,"USA","No",,,,"I've been looking for photometry of M dwarf stars in APASS","6","I
had trouble finding stars in the APASS interface. The objects were not listed by distance (like in VIZIER, for
example) so it was hard to find high-proper motion stars","Yes","Other (please specify)","I'm working currently
on an article using V and gri photometry from APASS (using UCAC4
cat)","8",,,,,,,,,"Yes","Yes","No",,,"No",,,"No","No","No","APASS provides consistent high quality photometry to
several cool stars that are not in HIPPARCOS",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,