Gathering science data from amateur astronomy

[george7378]

Hi everyone,

I am soon to get my 10" Dobsonian, and one of the things I would like to do is start properly recording my observations, and also to try and gather data or readings of some sort which I can tabulate and maybe make into a small project. I know that some amateurs do sweeps of the sky for comets, and some do timings of transits on Jupiter, etc...

What, in your opinion, would be a good idea for a little project or observing regime that I could maybe do?

Thanks.

[brianb]

10" Dob? There are hundreds of variable stars that need monitoring and are ideal targets for such an instrument. Charts etc. from the British Astronomical Association Variable Star Section and/or the American Association of Variable Star Observers. This is work which is still in demand by professionals ...

I'm afraid the automated sky surveys snag almost all the comets & novae these days, and planetary work is TBH much better done with a scope with a tracking drive, even if imaging hasn't completely taken over yet.

[george7378]

Thanks BrianB - that is a great idea. It would be a lot less competitive and time-consuming than hunting comets, that's for sure!

[Breakintheclouds]

Like you, I would be interested in finding scientifically useful work I could do with my scope, as a way of giving my observing more focus. I spotted this book on Amazon the other day, and am thinking of getting a copy. Might be worth a look:

The Sky is Your Laboratory: Advanced Astronomy Projects for Amateurs (Springer Praxis Books / Popular Astronomy) eBook: Robert Buchheim: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store