1. www.CitizenSky.org

2. What is Citizen Sky?

3. 3-year citizen science project organized by the AAVSO focusing on the variable star, epsilon Aurigae

4. What is the AAVSO?

5. The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) is a non-profit worldwide scientific and educational organization of amateur and professional astronomers who are interested in stars that change in brightness variable stars.

6. The star of our project… epsilon Aurigae

7. Variable Star

8. The star of our project… epsilon Aurigae Variable Star Eclipsing Binary

9. The star of our project… epsilon Aurigae Variable Star Eclipsing Binary Variability first noted in 1821

10. The star of our project… epsilon Aurigae Variable Star Eclipsing Binary Variability first noted in 1821 Period of 27.1 years

11. The star of our project… epsilon Aurigae Variable Star Eclipsing Binary Variability first noted in 1821 Period of 27.1 years Eclipse lasts over 600 days

12. The star of our project… epsilon Aurigae Dr. Bob Stencel Lead Scientist

13. Why is this a good object for an IYA citizen science project? Good Timing!

14. Why is this a good object for an IYA citizen science project? Good Timing! Bright

15. Why is this a good object for an IYA citizen science project? Good Timing! Bright Lots of questions to answer

16. What will participants be doing? Citizen scientists will be recruited and: Trained to observe and report data on eps Aurs brightness

17. What will participants be doing? Citizen scientists will be recruited and: Trained to observe and report data on eps Aurs brightness Trained in variable star data analysis techniques

18. What will participants be doing? Citizen scientists will be recruited and: Trained to observe and report data on eps Aurs brightness Trained in variable star data analysis techniques Mentored during data analysis

19. What will participants be doing? Citizen scientists will be recruited and: Trained to observe and report data on eps Aurs brightness Trained in variable star data analysis techniques Mentored during data analysis Guided to write papers for JAAVSO

20. Our Tools: Web Site: www.CitizenSky.org

23. Our Tools: Web Site Planetarium trailer/Visualizations

24. Our Tools: Web Site Planetarium trailer/Visualizations Workshops

25. Our Tools: Workshops Aug 4-7, 2009 Adler Planetarium eps Aur background, observing, EPO Spring 2010 California Academy of Sciences Data analysis, scientific paper writing

26. Our Biggest Resource?

27. Our Biggest Resource? Our Participants!

28. Data Ideas/input Outreach Your specific skills

29. Our Goals: Help to answer questions about the system New interest in variables, astronomy, science Experience teamwork – scientific collaboration Participate in full scientific method

31. Organizations Involved: AAVSO Adler Planetarium California Academy of Sciences Johns Hopkins University University of Denver

32. www.CitizenSky.org