Registration is still open for both CHOICE courses beginning next week.
CHOICE: CCD Photometry I
(September 5 - 30)
This course will use the first half of the AAVSO Guide to CCD Photometry and will provide motivation and scientific background for doing photometry with a CCD. Topics covered include system testing and basic image calibrations from bias and dark frame subtraction to flat fielding. Students will need their own image processing software, and should have their own CCD/telescope ready to take calibration frames.
CHOICE: How to Use VSTAR
(September 5 - 30)
This course is intended to provide participants with a systematic coverage of VStar's current functionality, an appreciation of the ways in which it can be extended, and how it can be used for variable star data visualization and analysis.
You’ll learn how to create mean plots, phase plots, and perform simple period analysis. This is not a course on statistics, but relevant statistical concepts as they apply to the use of VStar will be introduced through reading and discussion.
You must successfully complete exercises and weekly quizzes as well as a final examination to pass the course.
VStar is written in the Java programming language, requiring at least version 1.7 to run on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and OpenSolaris.
Click here to register in the AAVSO Online Store.