Beyond formal educational resources (link?), the AAVSO also offers structures for connecting with peers and mentors across our global community. Variable star astronomy is as complex as it is fascinating, and there is always something more to learn. By working together with other observers, you’ll learn more quickly and avoid common pitfalls. We encourage all new observers to take advantage of these opportunities for community learning and collaboration.

Forums

Our forums, hosted at forums.aavso.org, bring together observers and researchers from across the globe. Whether you have a complex technical question or are simply looking to chat about science, visiting the forums is our first recommendation.

The forums are divided into categories, so that you can browse according to what interests you. You can also customize your notifications by simply clicking  “watch” or “mute” on specific topics.  The forums are run through the Discourse platform and have many other helpful features. An introductory tutorial is located on the main discourse website. 

When should I post on the forums?

We welcome any and all discussion related to the AAVSO and its science. We especially recommend creating a forum post if:

• You have a technical question which an AAVSO observer might be able to answer.
• You would like to share some of your observations with other observers.
• You are new to the AAVSO, and would like to introduce yourself.
• You learned something exciting about variable star science, and want to share.

You can access the forums at forums.aavso.org.

Special Interest Groups

For decades, the AAVSO has hosted groups of like-minded individuals working together on one particular facet of scientific astronomy. These groups are known as Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

Each SIG’s activities are organized by a leadership team, who might choose to host regular Zoom meetings, publish a newsletter, coordinate group observing projects, and more. Some cover broad subjects (e.g. Instrumentation & Equipment), while others are highly specialized (e.g. High Energy Network).

SIGs and forums

Note that the SIGs are integrated into the forums, where each SIG has a dedicated category, giving it its own public discussion board. You do not have to be a member of the SIG to post within its category. (You can find a list of SIG categories among others on the groups page.)

In addition, each SIG has a forum group, meaning that once you join a SIG, you’ll be able to communicate with the rest of that SIG’s members via private message threads.

Should I join a SIG?

If you are looking to network and find your own community within the AAVSO, SIGs are the best place to start. We especially recommend that you consider joining a SIG if you are interested in improving your skills through collaboration, and have at least a few hours per month to dedicate towards SIG activities.

To find a SIG which interests you, visit the Special Interest Groups page.

Mentor Program

The AAVSO Mentor Program pairs observers with experienced mentors for one-on-one instruction. This is a fast track to scientific impact, as mentees are guided through the process of collecting quality data. You must be a member of the AAVSO to request a mentor.

Should I request a mentor?

The mentor program is open to all AAVSO members, but we especially encourage you to request a mentor if you are new to the organization, or want to branch out into a new mode of observing. We can teach you how to get started observing with your method of choice (visual observing, photometry, spectroscopy, etc.), taking into account your unique circumstances and equipment.

To learn more, see the ‘Request a Mentor’ page.