Paul Markov ("Doing 'Real Science' From Your Backyard" Small Tent Saturday 1:30 p.m.) is a program manager at ATI Technologies Inc. who has attended every Starfest since 1984. When not observing deep sky objects, he organizes Members' Night meetings for the Toronto Centre RASC, and operates a Canada-wide Astronomy Buy & Sell at www.astrobuysell.com

The difference between a casual observation and a scientifically useful observation can be as simple as recording the details of what was observed, when it was observed and the conditions under which it was observed. In this presentation Paul will discuss basic observing logbook-keeping and suggest various project ideas where amateur astronomers could make useful contributions to the science of astronomy. And in the event you should be so lucky to make a discovery, you will find out the steps that should be taken to verify your observation before contacting the International Astronomical Union's Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams.

Visit Paul's website.