[vsnet-chat 263] Re: New variable stars, etc.

[Fraser Farrell <fraserf@dove.net.au>]

On 1997-04-24 tkato@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp said:
   >I mostly agree with Dr. Skiff particularly in that the
   >contributions of active, reliable amateurs should be known and
   >recognized among professionals (this is one of reasons why we
   >started vsnet),

The boundary between amateur and professional is indistinct for many of
us.  I know many amateurs here who invest much time and money into their
astronomy, and dream of retiring from their daytime jobs!  Maybe we
should rename ourselves "paid" and "unpaid" astronomers?


   >case does not seem to be that for discovering variable stars, nor
   >timely following-up important stellar events (as a matter of fact,
   >those important prediscovery observations of Sakurai's object still
   >have no chance to be published). This situation may be, however,
   >unique to Japan, where amateur hunters have been traditionally
   >requested by professionals not to disseminate their discovery
   >reports by their own judgements, but to consult some agent (Tokyo
   >Astronomical Observatory formally took this position).

The VSS RASNZ policy is to encourage discoverers to "contact VSS
Headquarters first" - especially if the discoverer is of limited
experience or has no access to major catalogues. Because Frank Bateson
is already working eight days a week on hundreds of other matters; I try
to act as a filter by encouraging local amateurs to contact me first.

19 out of 20 discoveries turn out to be false alarms.  Regretfully, many
people are so eager for fame that they do not bother with basic checks.
This year, for example, I have had Mars, Omicron Cet, and NGC 2070
reported to me as "novae" by new chums.  One idiot even phoned me at 4am
a few years ago reporting a mag -1 "supernova" - Canopus! - which earned
him a rude and embarrassing putdown from me...

However, some objects do seem to be genuine discoveries deserving of
study.  We need a regular listing of these in VSNET to encourage further
observations - so that one year we might all watch another "Sakurai's
Object 1996" from its earliest moments.



cheers,
Fraser Farrell

http://vsnet.dove.net.au/~fraserf/   email: fraserf@dove.net.au
traditional: PO Box 332, Christies Beach, SA  5165, Australia

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