[Aavso-photometry] Talk of burn out (and a wrap up of recentcampaigns)

[Steve Beckwith]

Aaron,
I'm not bored and the only limiting factor for me is the weather (as you
know the seeing in Massachusetts was "poor" this Saturday).   It's
really nice to know the effort into taking the measurements is actually
used by someone.  
I for one have written many a required "status reports" in my
professional life that have gone unread.

How are you holding up during these campaigns?

- Steve   

-----Original Message-----
From: aavso-photometry-bounces at mira.aavso.org
[mailto:aavso-photometry-bounces at mira.aavso.org] On Behalf Of Aaron
Price
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 10:56 PM
To: aavso-photometry at aavso.org
Subject: [Aavso-photometry] Talk of burn out (and a wrap up of
recentcampaigns)

  I would like to have a discussion about observer burn out. The AAVSO
has only begun organizing these high intensity observing campaigns
since October of 2003 (UV Per). Since then we've had 3 campaigns on BZ
UMa, one large on on Var Her 04, one each on IL Aqr, HD 74156, HD
37605, Mark 421 and mini campaigns on BL Lac and VV Pup.  The results
have been across the board. UV Per and BZ UMa resulted in IBVS papers.
Var Her 04 is our main success with a PASP paper (Dec. 2004). IL Aqr 
is currently in the process of being included in an AJ submission, the
HD transits were not detected but they garnered Sky & Telescope
publicity, the BL Lac data is still being analyzed but looks
interesting and the VV Pup campaign was basically a bust (which we'll
try again).
  It looks like we have a lull in these campaigns for a few weeks. We
are planning another transit campaign in late February and new
campaigns on Var Her 04 and IL Aqr are preliminarily scheduled for the
spring.
   So, are you tired yet? 
    It seems like there is no shortage of scientific need for these
pro-am, high intensity, multi longitudinal observing campaigns. This
is a testament to you the observer and the quality of your work! 
However, as the coordinator of these campaigns I need to know where to
draw the line. I would rather have excellent coverage of a few
campaigns than spotty coverage of many.  So one thing I want to
consider while planning is: How much of you can I ask?
    I would like to hear from those of you who have participated in
one or more of these campaigns. I'm interested in your personal
thoughts about them. Are you satisfied? Bored? Exhausted? Excited? Is
exhaustion ever a determining factor in your ability to observe or
not? What can we do more to help you?
    I'd like to see replies on this discussion group. But if you are
shy feel free to respond to me privately.

Thanks!
--
Aaron
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