Spectroscopic madness--A golden age for amateurs

Abstract

Today, professional instrumentation is dominated by heavily oversubscribed telescopes which focus mainly on a limited number of "fashionable" research topics. As a result, time acquisition for massive star research, including extended observation campaigns, becomes more difficult. On the other hand, massive star investigations by amateur astronomers performing spectroscopic measurements are on a level which can fulfil professional needs. I describe the instrumentation available to the amateur, their observational skills and the potential contribution they can make to the professional community.

8 pages, 11 figures, Published in proceedings of "Stellar Winds in Interaction", editors T. Eversberg and J.H. Knapen. Full proceedings volume is available on http://www.stsci.de/pdf/arrabida.pdf