2012 programme

Sun 09:00-09:30

The Age of Amateur Spectroscopy

Keith Forbes

In the past decade, amateur astrophotographers have had stunning success and, in some cases, outperformed their professional counterparts. Much of this is due to digital technology, as well as to very smart and dedicated people. The same technology should inspire amateur spectroscopists, probably with just as much success and self satisfaction, and hopefully bring about the above title. This talk will demonstrate that beautiful spectra can be obtained from inexpensive equipment. Julian West has already demonstrated this at the recent Australian Astro Imaging Conference and he will show his latest contributions. (Julian is also contributing to the following presentation, with his spectroscopy supporting photometric studies of the Mira-type variable R Carinae.) Alternative approaches to construction will be presented. Most importantly, both he and I wish to foster enthusiasm in the field, and provide as much help as possible.

Keith has been an amateur astronomer for 30 years, but acts alone due to isolation on Stradbroke Island. His major interests are spectroscopy, astrophysics, and timing of events of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. He recently set up a website, http://www.keithforbes.org, which discusses spectroscopy.