FYI --- On Thu, 5/21/09, aavso@aavso.org <aavso@aavso.org> wrote:

From: aavso@aavso.org <aavso@aavso.org> Subject: Citizen Sky Workshop on epsilon Aurigae To: retenney@yahoo.com Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009, 10:55 AM

We would like to invite you (or anyone you would like to forward this information on to) to apply for the first Citizen Sky workshop on epsilon Aurigae.

Citizen Sky is a new citizen science project spearheaded by the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO.)  For the next 3 years the project will focus on the very interesting, very bright variable star, epsilon Aurigae.  This eclipsing variable is not very well understood.  It has an eclipse every 27.1 years and is due for one to begin this summer - just in time for the second half of the International Year of Astronomy!  We will be holding a workshop on epsilon Aurigae and the Citizen Sky project in early August at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.  It is very likely that we will have travel grants available for workshop participants.  The first round of participant selection will take place in early June.

For more information or to apply for the workshop, please visit: www.citizensky.org Please send any questions to: aavso@aavso.org

We hope to see you at the workshop!

========================================= A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AAVSO AND THE CITIZEN SKY PROJECT... ============================== The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) www.aavso.org

The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) is a non-profit worldwide scientific and educational organization of amateur and professional astronomers who are interested in stars that change in brightness Ñ variable stars.  The AAVSOÕs mission is: to observe and analyze variable stars; to collect and archive observations for worldwide access; to forge strong collaborations between amateur and professional astronomers; and to promote scientific research and education using variable star data.  Please visit our website to learn more about variable stars, the AAVSO, and how you can get involved.

Read on to learn about the new citizen science project that the AAVSO is spearheadingÉ ============================= The Citizen Sky Project www.citizensky.org

Who are citizen scientists? Volunteers, many of whom have no prior scientific training, who work with trained scientific researchers to answer real-world questions.  This means YOU!

About the Citizen Sky Project on epsilon Aurigae:  Epsilon Aurigae (eps Aur) is a bright star located in the constellation Aurigae, the charioteer. At 3rd magnitude the star is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye even in the most light polluted cities. It is well placed for observing in the fall, winter, and spring skies (in the early summer it is hidden by the Sun's glare).

Every 27.1 years the star goes into an eclipse that lasts approximately one and a half years.  Then, near the very end of the eclipse, it suddenly gains most of its brightness back in a matter of weeks. Even after over 175 years of scrutiny, no one knows why this happens.  The next eclipse of eps Aur is predicted to begin in August 2009. We need you to help us collect data so that we can better understand this star.  Because the star is very bright, it can be observed by anyone regardless of background, training, or equipment: with just good eyesight and a finder chart, you can monitor this eclipse.

The AAVSOÕs Citizen Sky project welcomes anyone who has an interest in participating! We will guide you through the process of how to observe eps Aur, how to send us your observations of the star, how to see your results, analyze them, and even publish them in a scientific journal!! No previous experience is required. We hope that this will be the largest citizen science project in modern history that involves real, active research!

- Website: Our new web page will be launching in June 2009.  This site will serve as the Òhome baseÓ for anyone interested in participating in this project.  The new Citizen Sky website will include blogs, discussion forums, a place to submit and analyze data, training materials, plus much more, so come visit us in June!  In the meanwhile, visit www.citizensky.org for project announcements and information.

- Workshops: The first Citizen Sky Project Workshop will be held Wednesday-Friday, August 5-7, 2009 at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. We will kick-off the 3-day workshop with an opening reception the evening of August 4. The ÒstarÓ of this workshop will be epsilon Aurigae. We are assembling an impressive group of experts to lead sessions on topics such as: an introduction to the Citizen Sky Project, the science of epsilon Aurigae, observing epsilon Aurigae (visual and photometric), public outreach using the Citizen Sky Project, using the Citizen Sky Project in the classroom, and an introduction to basic data analysis. We are also planning a planetarium show and possible closing star party.

It is very likely that in the coming weeks we will have travel grants available for workshop participants. Travel grants/workshop slots are only available for those who commit to spread the word about this project in their local community.

If you are interested in attending please complete the application no later than June 1, 2009 for consideration in the first round of participant selection. Individuals applying by June 1 will be contacted with results by June 5.

Applications received after June 1, 2009 will be considered to fill any remaining slots or added to a waitlist. Those applying after June 1 will be contacted within 1 week of application.

There will be a second workshop focusing on data analysis and scientific paper writing at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco during the spring of 2010.

- Observations/Analysis: Epsilon Aurigae is an ideal target for those interested in learning how to observe variable stars. By following the Ten Star Tutorial available on our website, a new observer will be trained in the technique needed to make and report a visual variable star estimate.  Information on taking digital observations of epsilon Aurigae will be available on the Citizen Sky website. The AAVSO is developing data analysis software, which will come with tutorials to help train participants in the basics of astronomical data analysis. A special edition of the peer-reviewed Journal of the AAVSO will be dedicated to papers written by project participants.

- Education and Public Outreach: The brightness of the star provides a rare opportunity to engage the general public in citizen science. Participants are needed to help write newsletter and newspaper articles, prepare talks and slide shows, develop artwork, to give talks and participate in other forms of community outreach. Teams of interested participants with complementary skill sets are being assembled right now (ex: teaming up a science writer with an illustrator) and will continue to be assembled throughout the project.

Everyone can play a role in the Citizen Sky Project!  Get involved and discover yours.