There are two weeks left to sign up for the March CHOICE courses.
March 2- 27
DSLR Photometry Click here for registration
Instructor- Mark Blackford
This course will utilize the new DSLR photometry manual as its guide. This manual is a basic introduction and guide to using a DSLR camera to make variable star observations. The target audience is first-time beginner to intermediate level DSLR observers, although advanced observers may find the content useful as well.
March 2- 27
How to use VSTAR Click here for registration
Instructor- Brad Walter
This course is intended to provide participants with a systematic coverage of VStar's current functionality, an appreciation of the ways in which it can be extended, and how it can be used for variable star data visualization and analysis.
You’ll learn how to create mean plots, phase plots, and perform simple period analysis. This is not a course on statistics but relevant statistical concepts as they apply to the use of VStar will be introduced through reading and discussion. You must successfully complete exercises and weekly quizzes as well as a final examination to pass the course.
VStar is written in the Java programming language, requiring at least version 1.6 to run on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and OpenSolaris.
March 2- 27
CCD Photometry 2 Click here for registration
Instructors- Matt Templeton/Sara Beck
This course will use the second half of the newly-released AAVSO Guide to CCD Photometry and will cover topics including optimal image photometry settings and techniques, transformation, and basic error estimation. We'll also discuss how to plan an observing run to optimize the scientific return of your observations. Part 1 of this course is not a prerequisite, but is very strongly encouraged for new CCD photometrists. Image processing software is required, but images will be provided for those without their own equipment.