2017/12/14 by Jeremy Shears, Shears, Jeremy
Physics and Astronomy · #Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Developments in Astronomy #Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1712.05393
openalex publication_date 2017/12/14 · openalex created_date 2022/09/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The study of cataclysmic variable stars has long been a fruitful area of\nco-operation between amateur and professional astronomers. In this Presidential\nAddress, I shall take stock of our current understanding of these fascinating\nbinary systems, highlighting where amateurs can still contribute to pushing\nback the frontiers of knowledge. I shall also consider the sky surveys that are\nalready coming on stream, which will provide near continuous and exquisitely\nprecise photometry of these systems. I show that whilst these surveys might be\nperceived as a threat to amateur observations, they will actually provide new\nopportunities, although the amateur community shall need to adapt and focus its\nefforts. I will identify areas where amateurs equipped for either visual\nobserving or CCD photometry can make scientifically useful observations.\n