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Research Opportunities

The AAVSO provides amateur astronomers and students the opportunity to make real and direct contributions to astronomy. The majority of our members help advance research by collecting data, and there are many engaging ways you can get involved through this work. The only limitation is in the amount of time and effort you wish to dedicate to it.

Long Term Monitoring Projects

The AAVSO serves as a facilitator between the professional and citizen science community, connecting professionals who need data with people like you who are interested in taking this data. The projects are myriad and diverse and we are sure that something will pique your interest. Have a look below.

Observing Campaigns. Researchers often contact the AAVSO to request data on interesting objects. We promote their requests through Observing Campaigns. These campaigns let you know targets of interest and how to observe them.

  • Find a Campaign: At any given time the AAVSO has dozens of active campaigns. Locate the right one for you.
  • Success Stories: Here are some examples of projects from the last year where observers made a real difference.

Collaborations. The AAVSO has longstanding partnerships with several groups where you can make an immediate impact.

  • SNEWS: The Supernova Early Warning System is dedicated to detection of, and long term monitoring for, the next Galactic Supernova.
  • Exoplanet Watch: Help keep exoplanet transit timings up to date for use by NASA missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope.

Time-Sensitive Campaigns and Alerts

The AAVSO tracks alerts from across the astronomical community to identify transient events such as novae and cataclysmic variables. These targets are both scientifically valuable and within reach of amateur equipment. Because they are time sensitive, quick observations are essential, and AAVSO observers are often able to respond faster than professional observatories. To support this work, the AAVSO issues Alert Notices and posts updates in the Alerts Category on the AAVSO Forums. Each announcement provides background information, observing guidance, and data submission instructions, enabling observers of all experience levels to contribute meaningful data to science.

Data Mining and Analysis

For those interested in discovery, analysis, or scientific publication, the AAVSO offers several opportunities for data mining using its databases.

The International Variable Star Index (VSX) is the world’s largest and most comprehensive catalog of known and suspected variable stars. It includes classifications, periods, amplitudes, and metadata for over 10 million entries. Maintained by AAVSO staff and a dedicated team of volunteers, VSX is an essential resource for both amateur and professional astronomers. If you enjoy exploring large catalogs or working with astronomical data, consider contributing to the development and refinement of this vital tool. A 2022 survey of peer-reviewed literature identified VSX as the AAVSO’s most frequently cited scientific product among professional researchers.

In addition to observing, many AAVSO members contribute to science by analyzing existing data. The AAVSO maintains several publicly accessible databases that are rich with opportunities for discovery and publication. These include the

In addition to these resources, the AAVSO curates several specialized datasets that are not currently open to the public but may be available for specific research collaborations.

One example of a successful data-driven project is the Times of Minimum Project run by the Eclipsing Binary Section. Participants extract and analyze times of minimum light from archival photometry to study orbital period changes in eclipsing binaries. These efforts have resulted in more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and demonstrate how members can contribute to cutting-edge science through careful analysis of existing data.

Start a Project Using AAVSO Tools and Data

Existing projects are a great way to get started, but if you have been contributing for a while, you may want to strike out on your own. Here are some resources to help you begin this journey.

Project Ideas. Picking your project is an important step and should be governed by what you’re interested in. Below are some potential options.

  • Observing Projects: suitable for students and beginners alike
  • Data Mining: Contributing to a better understanding of variable stars by refining details like how often they vary and what kind of variability they have. This information will be published in our database of variable stars, VSX.

Data Acquisition and Analysis.

  • Download Data: Find photometry and spectroscopy of variable stars, as well as exoplanet transits in AAVSO’s ever growing databases.
  • VStar: An free astronomical analysis tool that integrates with AAVSO resources. Can be used in a variety of ways.
  • AAVSOnet: If you have a compelling project you can request data be taken for you using our global network of telescopes.

Create Your Own. You can always build your own project from scratch.

Communicate

One of the often overlooked aspects of research is communication. Scientific research is founded on the principle of increasing knowledge of the universe and our place in it. This can take several forms:

Learn. Understanding what your observing and what to look for is an important first step and we have several resources to help:

Disseminate Your Results. Let the world know about your discoveries.


Inspire Others. Letting people know about your research is important, not only because of the benefit to the scientific community, but also because it lets others know they can do it as well, growing the scientific community.

It is a pleasure to inform you that in my recently published paper . . . I used a considerable amount of data retrieved from the AAVSO International Database. I thank you for maintaining this valuable research asset.—Albert Bruch, Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica, Brazil

I’m proud to offer a modest contribution to AAVSO, whose work in support of astrophysics cannot be praised enough.—Fulvio Tabacco