Preface; Part I. Pioneers in Variable Star Astronomy Prior to 1909: 1. The emergence of variable star astronomy – a need for observations; 2. A need for observers; Part II. The Founding of the AAVSO – The William Tyler Olcott Era: 3. The amateur's amateur; 4. Amateurs in the service of science; Part III. The Leon Campbell Era: 5. Leon Campbell to the rescue; 6. Formalizing relationships; 7. The Pickering Memorial Endowment; 8. Fading of the Old Guard; 9. Growing pains and distractions; Part IV. The Service Bureau – The Margaret Mayall Era: 10. Learning about independence; 11. Eviction from Harvard College Observatory; 12. Actions and reactions; 13. In search of a home; 14. Survival on Brattle Street; 15. AAVSO achievements; 16. Breathing room on Concord Avenue; Part V. Analysis and Science: The Janet Mattei Era: 17. The growth of a director; 18. Learning the ropes the hard way; 19. Managing with renewed confidence; 20. Expanding the scientific charter; Part VI. Accelerating Observational Science – The Arne Henden Era: 21. Bridging the gap; 22. Accelerating the science – the Henden era begins; Epilogue; Appendices; Index.
Preface; Part I. Pioneers in Variable Star Astronomy Prior to 1909: 1. The emergence of variable star astronomy - a need for observations; 2. A need for observers; Part II. The Founding of the AAVSO - The William Tyler Olcott Era: 3. The amateur's amateur; 4. Amateurs in the service of science; Part III. The Leon Campbell Era: 5. Leon Campbell to the rescue; 6. Formalizing relationships; 7. The Pickering Memorial Endowment; 8. Fading of the Old Guard; 9. Growing pains and distractions; Part IV. The Service Bureau - The Margaret Mayall Era: 10. Learning about independence; 11. Eviction from Harvard College Observatory; 12. Actions and reactions; 13. In search of a home; 14. Survival on Brattle Street; 15. AAVSO achievements; 16. Breathing room on Concord Avenue; Part V. Analysis and Science: The Janet Mattei Era: 17. The growth of a director; 18. Learning the ropes the hard way; 19. Managing with renewed confidence; 20. Expanding the scientific charter; Part VI. Accelerating Observational Science - The Arne Henden Era: 21. Bridging the gap; 22. Accelerating the science - the Henden era begins; Epilogue; Appendices; Index.
As the definitive history of the AAVSO, this text will interest amateur and professional astronomers, historians and sociologists alike.
Tom Williams is the AAVSO Historian and has served in AAVSO leadership positions for over 20 years, including twice as president. He earned a Ph.D. in History from Rice University in 2000, after spending over thirty years as an industrial chemist and manufacturing manager. Since then, Dr Williams has served as a senior editor for the Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers (Springer, 2007) and has written forty-three entries for that work. Over the past twenty-five years he has published book chapters, encyclopedia entries and over thirty articles and book reviews. Michael Saladyga is Technical Assistant and Archivist at the AAVSO where he has written several articles on variable star astronomy history for JAAVSO: The Journal of the American Association of Variable Star Observers and has contributed to a number of AAVSO technical monographs and historical articles on variable stars. He earned a Ph.D. in English and American Literature from Brandeis University in 1995. As AAVSO Archivist, he has arranged and catalogued the AAVSO's historical papers - the foundation for much of this book.
'… gives a rich, thoroughly documented account of a century of
progress, through times of exhilaration and a period of traumatic
stress. It is both fascinating and instructive.' Owen Gingerich,
Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and of the History of Science,
Harvard University
'Advancing Variable Star Astronomy is an insightful history of the
development of variable star observing in America over the past
century that is wonderfully imbued with the feelings and
motivations of the various individuals involved in the conception
and evolution of the AAVSO, dating from prior to its creation in
1911 to the present … But [this book] is not simply a historical
rendering of the AAVSO's first century; it also provides a
fascinating glimpse into the development of the various branches of
observational astronomy … The picture presented is that of an
organization that is more dynamic and useful today [than] it was a
century ago when it began as a gentleman's club of mostly amateur
observers with small refracting telescopes interested in making
observations … useful for learning more about the nature of stellar
light variability.' David G. Turner, St Mary's University,
Canada
'The pages of this marvellous book are like dipping into magic
waters. Intertwined in the story of how stars behave is the story
of the first century of the world's largest organization dedicated
to observing variable stars. This is a tale of ideas, anguish, and
discovery, from the smallest telescopes to the great telescopes in
space. I recommend this book very highly.' Dr David H. Levy,
amateur astronomer, comet discoverer and author
'Much of what we know about variable stars is due to the unsung
heroics of a host of amateur astronomers keeping lonely vigils over
them in backyard observatories with small telescopes, with
remarkably little recognition for their efforts, and with no
satisfaction other than the sense of having added their scintilla
to the sum of human knowledge. This superbly researched and
elegantly written book, published in the year of the centennial of
the founding of the AAVSO, is a landmark volume that will be
enjoyed by anyone who has ever looked up and wondered at the night
sky. It is a compelling tale, well told; I for one couldn't put it
down.' Dr William Sheehan, amateur astronomer and author
'This is the definitive history book on the AAVSO which today is
firmly established as the primary facilitator for photometric data
on variable stars. The book also serves as an outline history of
variable star discovery and research worldwide from its beginnings
at the end of the sixteenth century. With scientific researchers
relying more and more upon amateur astronomers to provide
photometry of variable stars, the future of the AAVSO is assured.
The captivating writing style of Williams and Saladyga in
conjunction with the comprehensive research undertaken makes for a
most compelling read.' John Toone, British Astronomical
Association, Variable Star Section
'A fascinating read.' Astronomy Now
'I recommend this book very highly.' Spaceflight
'Advancing Variable Star Astronomy is an excellent … read for those
interested in tracing the sometimes-tortuous past of a charitable
organization that was often fighting for survival against great
odds …' Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
'I highly recommend this book to those interested in the changing
partnership between amateur and professional astronomy from the
late nineteenth through the early twenty-first centuries.' Journal
for the History of Astronomy
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