For those who don't know, the National Young Astronomer Award is run by the Astronomical League in the US every year. Basically they look amongst high school astronomers for the students who have done the most in the field of astronomy. I was bored last January so I entered, not thinking too much of it at the time.
Well let me say something: when you come home from your spring break vacation to find two messages on the answering machine from the President of the Astronomical League you get REALLY excited! You also get really excited when you hear back from him the next day and learn you placed 3rd in the NYAA competition (and the highest placing female). Woohoo!!!!! \/ \/ \/
So yea, that just made my day/week/month/whatever and was certainly a nice break from watching the mailbox waiting for college acceptance letters.
Plus, you know, it's nice to have a vindication of your activities and earn a few bragging rights. 8)
[taunt] I'm a bigger astronomy nerd then you are! [/taunt]

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Wow. Congratulations!! What is it that you did?
And how do you do research when you are only in high school?

Wrote a five page essay on all the astronomy-related stuff I ever did for the past four years (limit was five so I wrote it in 11 point Arial Narrow). All in all I sounded a heck of a lot more intelligent then I really am.
Also submitted a research paper I wrote, "An Areological Study of the Martian Region Nilosyrtis," a copy of an astronomy-related issue of my webzine, and the picture my group snapped of Pluto and Charon at astronomy camp two years back. Those are the highlights at least...

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Cool. So was it independent research?

Wow! Congrats! And it sounds like you deserved it, too. Drop a note here again when the link goes live with your bio.

All right!! Way to go Andromeda!! Good to know that BABBlers are sticking it to the rest of the world!

=D> =D> =D> Nice Job!!

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Amazing Congrats. Keep it up. And please, place a link, I would be very interested in reading your papers.

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Eagle Eye Observatory

YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

=D> =D> =D> Nerd Grrls ROCK!!! =D> =D> =D>

Congratulations!

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Charlie in Dayton, A.AsC.

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Now I know for sure I am a BAD,BAD, newbie! My sons are older than you and all they can pick out in the sky besides the sun and moon is the big dipper. All I can say is WOW, and you must have very proud parents!

Andromeda321, congratulations. I'm really happy for you and I hope I speak for the board when I say we're all proud of you.

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

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Neptune- The original Dark Matter.

The author feels that this technique of deliberately lying will actually make it easier for you to learn the ideas. - Donald Knuth

Wow! Outstanding result, Andromeda321!

Congratulations! \/

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Congratulations Andromeda!! =D> A fellow BABBer and Pittsburgher to boot! Very cool! 8)

As they say, you go girl. =D>

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One Earth, One Sky - IYA 2009
All moderation in purple

WHAT WAS THAT? I COULDN'T HEAR YOU...
Hehehe... :P
Thanks for the congrats guys, it's all much appreciated. My friend, btw, had an interesting reaction to all this- "Wait a sec, you're one of the top high school astronomers in the country yet never get recognized at the local science fair because your 'experimental ideas' are 'too elementary'. Either you bribed the panel of people you don't know or our science fair is officially messed up."
And I'll let you guys know when the site is updated. And if anyone wants to read a copy of my work/ can't wait until then just PM me.

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BA should give you a page. IMHO

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Eagle Eye Observatory

Congrats, Andromeda!

:wink:

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Well guys, today I casually went over to the Astronomical League's website and nearly fell out of my chair with excitement. Here is the reason. Scroll down to the third place winner... anyone making fun of my junior year picture will be shot. :wink:
Can't help myself-

edit to add: just realize, my name is on the main page of the Astronomical League's website... whoa.

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Way to go!

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Hobbes: Probably so we can think twice.

~Calvin & Hobbes~

Great going Andromeda! =D> =D>

Wow. You go girl! 8) [And a looker, too! College should be fun]

Thanks for sharing it with us and good luck with your goals.

[Btw...if you do become an astronaut, I have this little S.A.D. astronomical instrument I'd like you to take up, and... oh well, nevermind (that's another forum anyway) :wink: ]

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That's awesome!! =D>

You have an interesting name. Where did it originate?

Your picture is fine. My high school picture was awful. :)

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Awesome - congratulations!

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Wow, that's fantastic!

When you observed Pluto and Charon through the 61", did you use a camera or do it visually? I am not sure what the limiting magnitude is for that 'scope, but Charon is around 17... but I guess Pluto is so much brighter you had to use a camera. Either way, that is very cool.

Yep, we used the CCD camera to image it. The magnitudes weren't the problem, we even got down to magnitude 20 with one object that week, it was really more the incredibly small separation betwen Pluto and Charon that caused the issue. We never managed to get them fully separated actually, just a bulge on one side, but I take victories when I get them.
space cadet- I got my name because my parents gave it to me. :wink: No seriously, the last name is mangled Hungarian; my dad changed it when he immigrated because if it was spelled the normal way it would cause serious problems.
Oh, and one more cool thing and then I'll be quiet for a bit- has anyone looked at the Astronomy website recently? 8)

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Wonderful news!

Fantastic achievement!

Don't how I missed the post back in March, but, to make up for it, BRAVA!E2 for you!

It's a sure bet we're all looking forward to following your career, and enjoying your future discoveries! Perhaps some day you will be able to perform Areological field studies in situ...

=D>

PS: Astronomy omitted the best winner's picture! :wink:

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I thought her name was moose.

Congratulations Rommie! don't forget us little people.

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