Amateur astronomers attended a unique meeting in mid-April to learn about high-energy astrophysics and how they can participate in it.

Amateur astronomers from around the world left their home-based observatories last week to attend an unusual meeting -- the High-Energy Astrophysics Workshop for Amateur Astronomers. Hosted by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), the workshop featured lectures by professional astronomers who do cutting edge research on gamma ray bursts, magnetars, and other high-energy phenomena.

Full Story: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast21apr_1m.htm