#aavso

The Betelgeuse Summer Problem

The star Betelgeuse is doing something. Something important. No one is sure what it means, but it has our attention and we want to keep our telescopes focused on it. Except that this Summer, we can’t.

What’s next for Betelgeuse? [NOTE: Image distorted by minor camera movement.]

Whatever is happening with the soon-to-be supernova Betelgeuse currently, it is critical astronomers and astrophysicists…

Betelgeuse: Schrödinger’s Star

Much Ado About Something

Some astronomers are taking a dim view of the fading light of Betelgeuse. Many are trying to dampen down reports of the star’s demise while not ruling out the possibility. The reality of science is that no one knows what is happening.

What are you doing, Betelgeuse?

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to a Supernova

Betelgeuse is the hot topic in astronomy because it has…

I am currently doing visual photometry in my university observatory of the target SS Cygni, a cataclysmic variable in the constellation of Cygnus.

I made my very first estimate of its magnitude tonight (after taking nearly an hour to find the damn thing, haha).  I estimated +12.0.

I then went to check this estimate against what other visual observers had seen on the AAVSO website, and I was in the ballpark!  I am just excited about that.  It’s made even better by the fact that I was able to make this estimate in a pretty light polluted area and with the moon up (64% illuminated).

Throwback Thursday: What Is A Variable Star?

"The craziest thing of all is that if you wait long enough or look precisely enough, you’ll find that every star will undergo a period of variability in its life. Like many things in this Universe, the only constant is change."

Nova in Sagittarius Brighter Than Ever – Catch it with the Naked Eye!

Nova Sagittarii 2015 No. 2 in the Sagittarius “Teapot”was easily visible with the naked eye at magnitude +4.4 when this photo was taken this morning March 21. The nova has been steadily brightening since its discovery less than a week ago. Credit: Bob King

Great news about that new novain Sagittarius. It’s still climbing in brightness and now ranks as the brightest nova seen from mid-northern…

Dr. George Rieke (University of Arizona) and colleagues have requested AAVSO assistance in monitoring four stars with developing planetary systems. The targets are RZ Psc, HD 15407A, V488 Per, and HD 23514. This campaign is similar to the one conducted in 2013.

:O i cannot believe u still call me ur tumblr friend………….. i am……., honored………………