The 2016 Presidential Address, given on 2016 Oct 26 at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1. The BAA Variable Star Section is the world’s longest established organisation for the systematic observation of variable stars, formed in 1890. Its database contains nearly 3 million measurements going back to 1840 and is an important resource for researchers. The aim of this Address is to reveal some of the lesser known tales that lie deep within the database, bringing to life stories about some of the people involved, especially in the early years, including Joseph Baxendell, Mary Adela Blagg and Arthur Stanley Williams, as well as shedding light on some of the stars observed. Finally we look to the future as the VSS builds on the legacy of its forebears, ensuring that it always stays ‘ahead of the curve’.
Read more