Thursday

The study of cataclysmic variable stars has long been a fruitful area of co-operation between amateur and professional astronomers. I shall provide examples of recent projects on dwarf novae, VY Scl and AM CVn stars. I shall also consider the sky surveys that are already coming on stream, which will provide near continuous and exquisitely precise photometry of these systems. Whilst these surveys might be perceived as a threat to amateur observations, they will actually provide new opportunities, although the amateur community shall need to adapt and focus its efforts. I will identify areas where amateurs equipped for CCD photometry can make scientifically useful observations.