Scioly.org

Sorry for the double post. But I wanted this one to get your attention.

Go here. Now.


That book (Understanding Variable Stars) is the ONLY book you will ever need for this event. Seriously. Absolutely everything covered in the rules will be in there except SOME of the DSOs. But it will even have probably 1/4 of the DSOs in the for you too. If you can, just photocopy the whole freaking thing, put it in a binder and take it to competition. But just about all the math, all the background, all the anything will be there. It's a college level textbook, so it goes into the depth necessary for the event, but keeps it (mostly) simple enough that you're not overloaded.

I had not studied for the Astronomy event hardly at all since before the state competition in March last year. On the bus ride down to nationals in May, I read that book, took notes and brought those notes into competition. Got me 10th place. I'm not kidding when I say it is far and away the best resource you'll ever find for this event. I managed to track down a copy at Valparaiso University, so I didn't buy it, but it might be worth buying if you really like Astronomy.

I had that book, but didn't notice that part because I was too busy looking at variable star types, thanks for pointing that out!

Perhaps I can persuade my Earth and Space Science/Astronomy teacher to buy a copy.

Does the asterisk on Epsilon Aurigae on the rules sheet mean that it will not be included in 2009? Even if that's so, I wouldn't be surprised if it showed up. It wouldn't be the first time a test didn't follow the rules.

The asterisk means it will be included not only this year, but the next year, and the year after.

Oh, yes. That particular star will be included all the way up to and including 2011. That means that they're probably keeping astronomy until that time.

Astronomy's been an event from 84-93, 95-96, and 00-today, It's not going anywhere.

Unfortunately.

What do you mean unfortunately? It's one of the best SO events. I'd hate to see astronomy disappear... they just need to switch the topic around a bit. Variable stars shouldn't get quite this much attention.

I'm just saying that it's been on too long. Especially for it to be on one topic.