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Session 21 - Amateurs & Professionals: Collaborators in the New Age of Electronic Astronomy - I.
Oral session, Tuesday, June 10
North Main Hall C/D,
Astronomy is unique among the sciences with regards to the large community of amateur scientists that has always played a significant role in advancing the field -- as enthusiastic advocates, educators, and sometimes as discoverers and researchers. In recognition of this unique situation, the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) has conducted an amateur program whereby several amateur astronomers have been awarded Director's Discretionary time to conduct their own observations with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This program will soon be concluded -- the last amateur observations are scheduled for August 1997. However, other amateurs have informally played supporting roles in HST research programs over the years by conducting various types of coordinated ground-based observations for HST General Observers. With some facilitation, it is possible this type of collaboration could expand from it's current "ad hoc" state, to one where participation is more open and varied.
