To quote from Variable Star Section Circular No. 1 'The new Director begs to present his compliments to all the members of the Section'. What wonderful language they used in those days.
Little did I ever anticipate taking over the reigns of the Section, when I was first introduced to variable star observing in the autumn of 1967 by Jack Ells. We used Jack's 12 inch Newtonian in his heated observatory (what a joy that was to use!) to observe W and T Cas.
However, I also clearly remember Dick Chambers, who used to present members' variable star observations at Crayford Manor House Society Meetings, displaying my first half-dozen or so observations alongside his own and Jack's. Take heart all you members who are new to observing, because whilst Jack's and Dick's (both experienced observers) results fitted a smooth curve, mine, were all over the place! However, I think I quickly learnt the technique of making good observations, but I have never had the ability to produce the prodigious number of observations of the last Director.
That said, I've always been fascinated by gadgets, and the technique of photoelectric photometry was to grab me in the early eighties. I am now experimenting (with much help from Richard Miles) with CCD photometry, and hope to encourage others with similar equipment to try variable star observing.
I don't envisage any drastic changes to the Section that Gary has so ably headed for the last few years. Indeed, for the moment, I don't foresee any changes at all (apart from the titles of Section Officers as shown on the back cover). Regarding this, I'm very grateful to Gary for wishing to continue looking after the Recurrent Objects Programme and the OJ287 project. I'm also pleased that he is happy to be contacted at any time of the night with urgent variable star queries - the new Director is not available after 11 pm! Any comments from members on any aspect of variable stars or variable star observing will always be welcome.
See VSS Officers Meeting || Email Roger Pickard