Not HKAS related but worthy to note

mca

This activity may not be HKAS related, but worthy to note in the amateur community.

AC
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Dear variable stars observers….

I am looking for an assistant to carry out the Astronomy project at the International Research School for Youth which will be held in Moscow during June 22nd - July 2nd, 2009.  The project will be devoted to variable stars.  The goal of the project is to teach pupils the basics of astronomical data processing, to show them how astronomers work and how discoveries are made.  A group of 4-6 schoolchildren (14-16 years old) from Russia and abroad will be given a set of real astronomical data from the real telescope.  Using astronomical software for photometry they will discover new variable stars, plot the light curves and see what physical parameters can be derived from a set of plain digits.  And even more, they will follow the path of the real researcher up to publishing an article in some electronic journal on variable stars!

Requirements for the assistant: preferably (but not necessary) an University student (undergraduate, graduate or postgrad); knowledge of English (but not necessary native English speaker); good communication skills; willing to work in a team.

Important: The assistant will have to find some funding for travel to Moscow and back (i.e., to purchase the plane tickets).  Local expenses (transportation from/to airport, staying at the country pansion for 10 nights, food, excursions) will be covered by IRS organisers.

The International Research School for Youth will take place in Russia for the second time.  The first School was held in June 2008 and is remembered by all participants due to its great friendly atmosphere. There are in total 8-10 projects with about 50 participants and 20 trainers from a dozen countries.  IRS-2009 will be held in Heliopark Thalasso Club Hotel in Zvenigorod about 50 km West from Moscow.  The Astronomy group will visit Zvenigorod observatory with Zeiss-600 telescope and 400-mm astrograph.  On Saturday and Sunday (June 27 and 28) there will be excursions to Moscow State University and Moscow siteseeing tour for all School participants.

The teacher and assistant will be given a Certificate for successful development of a project in the field of Astronomy.

If you are willing to participate and interested in more details, please contact by the E-mail address below.

Best regards,

Den in Moscow
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mca

BTW, if any amateur/student wishs to learn how astronomy data are processed and interpreted based on real observatory projects, here is a helpful resource where lots of tutorial can be freely downloaded, including the step-by-step instruction manuals.

http://www3.gettysburg.edu/~marschal/clea/CLEAhome.html

Taker your time to select and digest the astronomy projects in the webpage.(Click “Manuals” to see the project list).  You will be benefited by doing these exercises.  No TELESCOPES are required, just paper works, some theories in astronomy, your own brain and patience.

Enjoy !

AC