The AAVSO 2011 Demographic and Background Survey

• Main Authors: Price, C. Aaron, Paxson, Kevin B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 16-04-2012
• Subjects: Physics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics; Physics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1204.3582

In 2011, the AAVSO conducted a survey of 615 people who are or were recently
active in the 101-year old organization. The survey included questions about
their demographic background and variable star interests. Data are
descriptively analyzed and compared with prior surveys. Results show an
organization of very highly educated, largely male amateur and professional
astronomers distributed across 108 countries. Participants tend to be loyal,
with the average time of involvement in the AAVSO reported as 14 years. Most
major demographic factors have not changed much over time. However, the average
age of new members is increasing. Also, a significant portion of the
respondents report being strictly active in a non-observing capacity,
reflecting the growing mission of the organization. Motivations of participants
are more aligned with scientific contribution than with that reported by other
citizen science projects. This may help explain why a third of all respondents
are an author or co-author of a paper in an astronomical journal. Finally,
there is some evidence that participation in the AAVSO has a greater impact on
the respondents' view of their role in astronomy compared to that expected
through increasing amateur astronomy experience alone. Results paint a picture
of participants in a modern, advanced citizen science organization.