Welcome to NEARBY STAR OBSERVERS (NBSO), a non-profit organization who's members are actively engaged in Viewing, Studying and Exchanging Information about theNearby Stars. We are primarily an Amateur Astronomy Special Interest Group and we also welcome and do appreciate professional participation. Our interest range are the approximately 2600 stars / star systems within 81.5 LY (25 parsec) of the Sun. Members are from All experience levels, from Very Basic to Advanced. Our common bond is our very deep interest in the Nearby Stars.

The study of Nearby Stars is important because the knowledge gained about our nearby neighbors is projected out into the study of our galaxy and beyond. It seems to be that the nearby stars are quite average and unspectacular as a group. It is maybe for this reason that this field ofstudy has attracted so few investigators in the past. This provides a unique opportunity to gain expertiese and engage in a personally rewarding study of this subject. Some of these stars can be studied with modest telescope equipment or with the many modern web resources that are available.There are many hundreds of these stars that have had little or no attention from; the major surveys during the last 30 or so years.

We encourage our members to participate in their specific interests (telescopic, photographic, CCD's, computers, etc.) and to significantly increase their knowledge about these stars and to share their knowledge with and learn from other members. We have No dues or formal membership requirements as our efforts are supported by voluntary contributions from members and other sources.

We know from experience that the most Important things that we all can do is simply to communicate, ask questions and share experience. The internet makes this possible and easy to do. It will be our ongoing commitment to maintain very high standards. So I invite All with a passion for this subject to Join Us.

Jerry Blackwell

NBSO