The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) hosts several Special Interest Groups that focus on specific aspects of variable star astronomy. These groups bring together observers, researchers, and enthusiasts with common interests to share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and advance citizen science in astronomy.
Our Special Interest Groups welcome members of all experience levels, from beginners to advanced observers. Each group provides resources, tutorials, observing campaigns, and a community of supportive members to help you develop your skills and contribute meaningful astronomical data.
Below you’ll find our current Special Interest Groups. Feel free to explore and join any that match your interests.
Did you know that one of the benefits of AAVSO membership is access to a global network of research-grade telescopes? Ranging from the small and nimble Bright Star Monitors to the 20”+ Faint Star Monitors, our remote telescopes allow anyone, anywhere
White dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes are all called stellar remnants (i.e., they are considered “dead” stars) by astronomers. When these stars are isolated, their afterlives are much more sedate than if they are sharing an orbit with a
The AAVSO has had an Eclipsing Binary Committee for many decades. Like the other AAVSO observing ‘committees’, it has been relabelled as a ‘Section’, with a renewed effort towards observing eclipsing binary stars. The intent of this site is to
Astronomers now believe that most stars have one or more planets orbiting around them. These planets are called “exoplanets” (extrasolar planets). As an exoplanet orbits its host star, the light from that star will vary by some amount. The small
Today, AAVSO observers pursuing high energy sources go beyond gamma-ray burst follow-ups to include observations of other astrophysical sources bright in gamma- and X-rays. These include Blazars and other Active Galactic Nuclei, and Galactic gamma-ray sources like flare stars and
Welcome to the Instrumentation and Equipment Section. This section operates in coordination with the Forum of the same name. Working astronomers both amateur and professional recognize that the science of astronomy depends intimately on the instruments (photometers, spectroscopes, etc.) and equipment
The LPV Observing Section is dedicated to study and observation of Pulsating Red Giant Stars such as Miras (M), Semi-Regulars (SR), Irregulars (L), and Pulsating Yellow Supergiants of RV Tau (RV) classification. The LPV Program is designed to focus on
Where it all began The photoelectric effect, by which light is converted into electricity, has been used by astronomers since the 1890s. First practiced with clumsy selenium photocells, the technique enjoyed a progression of better sensors during its first fifty
Introduction to Short Period Pulsating Stars (SPP) Pulsating variable stars are from the group of intrinsic variable stars. In other words their change in brightness is something internal to the star, not light being blocked. In this case, the brightness
Counting magnetic maelstroms—unraveling the Sun’s mysteries through long-term monitoring of sunspots. What We Do The Sun is the nearest star to Earth. As our stellar neighbor, it’s the first that comes to mind—and the standard by which astronomers measure all
The AAVSO Spectroscopy Special Interest Group is dedicated to the promotion and advancement of astronomical spectroscopy for individuals of all skill levels. Here you can learn the methods for producing quality spectra, participate in interesting observing projects, and share your
Whether you call them YSOs (Young Stellar Objects) or PMS (Pre-Main Sequence Stars) you’ll find everything you wanted to know about them – and probably a few things you didn’t – here. The YSO section is one of the newest
