1,2,5,3,- 1Open University, School of Physical Sciences, Planetary & Space Sciences, United Kingdom of Great Britain – England, Scotland, Wales (helen.usher@open.ac.uk)
- 2School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- 3Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, UK
- 4Harlingten Observatory, Granada, Spain
- 5British Astronomical Association, London, UK
- 6St Marys Roman Catholic Primary SChool, Bridgend, UK
Amateur astronomers make useful contributions to many areas of astronomy. For comets, they can add temporal coverage and multi-scale observations which aid the study of fast-changing, and large-scale features.
The Halley, Deep Impact and Rosetta comet Missions all included amateur campaigns as part of their wider ground-based observing campaigns. Amateur observations can particularly add value when the viewing geometry is unfavourable for larger telescopes eg at small solar elongation, and (due to the worldwide spread of amateurs) when observing windows are small.
We will present the results of an analysis of the effectiveness of these campaigns, particularly the Rosetta Amateur Observing Campaign, and lessons and recommendations for action for future campaigns (Usher et al 2022).
The analysis of the Rosetta professional and amateur campaign data shows that around the critical period of the perihelion of comet 67P there were 15 days when the only observations available were from amateur observers.
The lessons for future campaigns include the need for: clarity of objectives; recognising the wider impact campaigns can have on increasing science capital; clear, consistent, timely and tailored guidance; easy upload procedures with in-built quality control; and, regular communication, feedback and recognition.
We have been working with the Pro-Am comet community to implement these recommendations and we will report progress and outstanding work (Usher et al 2022).
Astronomy is recognised as an effective point of engagement for students of all ages, inspiring curiosity and providing a stimulus to learn and exciting context for developing skills (Salimpour et al. 2021). Linking student learning with space missions can add an extra dimension.
We will present our experience of working with educators, supported by professional and amateur astronomers, to use observing campaigns to engage, educate, inspire and raise the aspirations of students. This will include a case study of observations and activities linked to the DART Mission (Usher et al . 2023, Lister et al 2024).
Salimpour, S., Bartlett, S., Fitzgerald, M.T. et al. The Gateway Science: a Review of Astronomy in the OECD School Curricula, Including China and South Africa. Res Sci Educ 51, 975–996 (2021)
Usher, H., Snodgrass, C., Biver, N., Kargl, G., Tautvaišienė, G., James, N., Walter, F., and Černý, J.: Strengthening Pro-Am Comet Community Cooperation: Report on Europlanet Pro-Am Workshop (10-12 June 2022) , Europlanet Science Congress 2022, Granada, Spain, 18–23 Sep 2022, EPSC2022-1135, https://doi.org/10.5194/epsc2022-1135, 2022
Usher, H., Snodgrass, C., Green, S.F., Norton, A., Roche, P., Seeing the Bigger Picture: Rosetta Mission Amateur Observing Campaign and Lessons for the Future 2020 Planet. Sci. J. 1 84 DOI 10.3847/PSJ/abca46
Usher, H., Stoddard-Jones, I.C. , Roche, P.D., Snodgrass, C., Wooding, B., and Lister, T., Using Killer Asteroids to Engage Children in Astronomy and Science (Planetary Defence Conference, April 2023)
Lister, T., Constantinescu, C., Ryan William, Ryan, E., Gomez,E., Phillips, L., Rożek, A., Usher, H., Murphy, B. P., Chatelain J., Greenstreet, S., 2024 Planet. Sci. J. 5 127
How to cite: Usher, H., Snodgrass, C., Norton, A., Green, S., Roche, P., Jordan, S., Angel, T., Miles, R., and Wooding, B.: Pro-Am-Schools Observing Campaigns in Support of Space Missions and the Broader Study of Small Bodies, EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2025, Helsinki, Finland, 7–12 Sep 2025, EPSC-DPS2025-1683, https://doi.org/10.5194/epsc-dps2025-1683, 2025.
