The AAVSO blog features astronomical stories of particular interest to variable star aficionados. Blog posts might cover breaking news, historical anniversaries, internal project updates, and other subjects germane to our membership. Feedback is welcome: write to our organization's inbox to have your say!
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Director's Report for 2024-Q2August 14, 2024 | By Brian Kloppenborg Staffing updates, the Sun's eventful quarter, our Annual Meeting, and progress toward the organization's strategic goals. |
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StarGlass and a DASCH of DataJuly 23, 2024 | By Tim Lyster An ambitious project to digitize much of Harvard’s collection of more than half a million astronomical photographic glass plates has reached a significant milestone. |
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App and Infrastructure UpdatesJune 14, 2024 | By Aru Bhoop Over the past several months, the AAVSO has made significant infrastructure improvements. We are excited to roll these out to our users in the coming weeks. |
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The Latest from the SNEWS CampaignJune 13, 2024 | By Bert Pablo Six months from its launch date, this ambitious observing campaign’s goal—to monitor 200 bright supernovae progenitors—is moving closer to reality. |
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Sunshine and StormsJune 12, 2024 | By Tim Lyster One of the largest sunspot groups in recent history triggered the May 10 solar superstorm and aurora sightings worldwide. |
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The Jewel in the CrownMay 1, 2024 | By Tim Lyster It’s been 78 years since T Coronae Borealis’ last outburst. Astronomers are gearing up for the Blaze Star’s next show. |
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Director's Report for 2024-Q1April 20, 2024 | By Brian Kloppenborg Results of the 2024 annual fundraising campaign, progress towards our strategic goals, and the 2023 Annual Report. |
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Sun, Meet MoonApril 5, 2024 | By Tim Lyster This month's total eclipse will be visible for millions of people.xxx |
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Update on SNEWS CampaignMarch 21, 2024 | By Tim Lyster There are still stars to be claimed in this important citizen science project. |
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Director's Report for 2023-Q4January 16, 2024 | By Brian Kloppenborg Highlights from the AAVSO’s 112th Annual Meeting, an announcement regarding our 2024 Strategic Plan, and several important decisions from the Board of Directors. |
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Star Light, Star BrightDecember 19, 2023 | By Tim Lyster & George Silvis How backyard observers can help unlock the secrets of supernovae. |
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Cleaning Up VSDNovember 16, 2023 | By Sebastián Otero & Tim Lyster Inconsistencies in the WBVR catalog magnitudes adopted in the Variable Star Database were causing issues for our observers. A major clean-up was in order. |
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Director's Report for 2023-Q3October 12, 2023 | By Brian Kloppenborg In the third quarter, the staff are making the final preparations for the AAVSO’s 112th Annual Meeting, there's a new marketing hire, an audit of the organization's technical infrastructure, and the creation of a Strategic Plan Evaluation Working Group. |
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Shattering Shapley’s UniverseOctober 6, 2023 | By Tim Lyster A century ago, Edwin Hubble’s photographic observations of a Cepheid variable settled the vexing question of the day: Our Milky Way is not the entire universe. |
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Director's Report for 2023-Q2August 1, 2023 | By Brian Kloppenborg Our executive director presents the results of our annual campaign, improvements to our technological infrastructure, two recent meetings that are helping define AAVSO’s scientific future, three science highlights, and a few events he attended. |
Director's Report for 2023-Q1May 2, 2023 | By Brian Kloppenborg In this inaugural post of his director's report, Brian reflects on Sara Beck's departure, the annual campaign, the Data Quality Taskforce, AAVSO in the Sky Survey Era, and a collaboration with CHARA. |