Robin: I had enormous trouble getting CN’s Scientific Amateur Astronomy section created. Some moderators (mentioning no names in order to protect the guilty) were very antagonistic but a few were equally enthusiastic. The enthusiasts won out in the end, after what one moderator described as a “💩-storm” in the moderator’s community. The descriptive text:
A forum where amateurs can discuss their contributions to fields such as spectroscopy, photometry, astrometry, interferometry, and radio astronomy. Astronomical objects of interest may include variable and carbon stars, pulsars, supernovae, AGNs, exoplanets, asteroids, and short-lived energetic phenomena such as GRBs. The presentation of quantitative observational measurements, techniques used for acquisition, and relevant ensuing discussion are especially welcome.
is entirely mine, apart from the later addition of “and carbon stars”.
Your work promoting spectroscopy there has paid dividends. Kudos!
Other areas, especially photometry but including astrometry and radio astronomy also have a productive community.
FWIW, I am also a member of SGL. Amongst my other efforts, I annotate the plentiful images of M31 and M33 to show the locations of globular clusters, LBVs and Cepheids; explain workflow in photometry, and post an annual image showing the proper motion of Barnard’s star. Each of these have had a positive response. A few “pretty pictures” afficionados have asked for, and received, catalogues of globular clusters in Local Group galaxies so that they can track down more examples in their images.
I also plug the BAA, especially the ARPS and its asteroidal photometry programme in both CN and SGL.
The lesson, I suggest, that other BAA members should follow Robin’s and my lead in creating mass-audience sub-fora and in encouraging their readers to contribute material of scientific value. Beware: it may prove to be hard work.
Paul
