Observing Programs
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Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers currently sponsers
two observing programs for it's members. In addition, all of the
Astronomical League observing programs are available to members. Once
completed, observing logs need to be turned over to our Observing
Awards Officer, Richard Just for review.
Richard can be reached at club meetings.
Astronomical League
http://www.astroleague.org/
Listed below are each of the Astronomical League's observing
clubs, along with online resources pertinent to that club.
The Observing Clubs offer encouragement and certificates of
accomplishment for demonstrating observing skills with a variety of
instruments and objects.
Each Club offers a certificate based upon acheiving certain
observing goals. These are usually in the form of a specific number of
objects of a specific group with a given type of instrument.
Ocassionally there are multiple levels of accomplishment within the
club. There is no time limit for completing the required observing, but
good record keeping is required. When you have reached the requisite
number of objects, your observing logs are examined by the appropriate
authority and you will receive a certificate and pin to proclaim to all
that you have reached your goal.
American Association of Amateur Astronomers
http://www.astromax.com/
Provides the AL's FREE Observe Programs in Adobe Acrobat
Portable Document File format at no charge as a service to members of
the AAAA, the Astronomical League, and the astronomical community at
large
Astronomical League Learner Clubs
- Lunar
Club
- To qualify for the AL's Lunar Club Certificate and pin, you
need only be a member of the Astronomical League, either through an
affiliated club or as a Member-at-Large, and observe 100 features on
the moon.
- Inconstant
Moon
The
Hitchhikers Guide to the Moon
Association
for Lunar and Planetary Observers
Lunar and
Planetary Institute
Lunar
Orbiter Photographic Atlas of the Moon
Lunar Eclipse
Finder
Moonphases
Calendar
- Urban
Club
- To qualify for the A.L.'s Urban Club Certificate, you need
only be a member of the Astronomical League, either through an
affiliated club or as a Member-at-Large, and observe 100 objects on the
Urban Club list in light polluted skies.
- Universe
Sampler
- Designed to expose the beginner to a sample of the many
different types of objects that the Universe has to offer for our
observing enjoyment.
- Sky
Puppy Club
- The Sky Puppies Club is designed just for the younger
observer. The Astronomical League encourages young observers to hone
their skills early since most hobbies and vocational interests begin at
an early age.
Astronomical League Binocular Clubs
- Binocular
Messier Club
- Any 50 of the 110 recognized Messier objects may be
observed. Any pair of binoculars may be used, but those with objectives
between 20MM and 80MM in diameter are recommended.
- SEDS
Messier Database
Hawaiian
Astronomical Society Messier Listing
- Deep
Sky Binocular Club
- The Deep Sky Binocular Club is a list of sixty selected
non-Messier objects, and picks up where the Binocular Messier Club
leaves off.
- Southern
Skies Binocular Club
- a complete list of binocular objects that can be reasonably
observed from the Southern Hemisphere
Astronomical League Telescopic Clubs
- Messier
Club
- Observe 70 Messier objects and keep a record of your
observations.
- SEDS
Messier Database
Hawaiian
Astronomical Society Messier Listing
- Herschel
400 Club
- Observe all the 400 Herschel objects listed and keep a
record of your observations.
- William
Herschel's catalog of Deep Sky objects
- Herschel
II Club
- The Herschel II observing program is an advanced level
project focused on improving observers' technical skills by taking
thorough field notes and developing accurate technical object
descriptions.
- Caldwell
Club
- Sir Patrick Caldwell-Moore has made a catalogue of
beautiful and interesting objects you should, literally, go out of your
way to observe. Two of the obvious objects were never even given NGC
designations.
- Hawaiian
Astronomical Society Caldwell Listing (reversed)
- Arp
Peculiar Galaxy Club
- Those amateurs either observing or photographing 100 of the
338 Arp Catalog of Peculiar Galaxies will qualify for the Club's
certificate
- Galaxy
Groups & Clusters Club
Astronomical League Topical Clubs
- Asteroid
Club
- To qualify for an AL's Asteroid Club Certificate, you must
be a member of the Astronomical League, either through an affiliated
society or as a Member-at-Large, and you must observe and confirm the
required number of asteroids.
- Association
for Lunar and Planetary Observers
- Double
Star Club
- To qualify for the AL's Double Star Certificate and pin,
you need only be a member of the Astronomical League, either through an
affiliated club or as a Member-at-Large, and observe the 100 selected
objects on the included list.
- Washington
Double Star Catalog
- Earth
Orbiting Satellite Observers Club
- This observing program is designed to get those new to
satellite observing familiar with the terminology, and techniques of
tracking satellites. The list of objects required for the basic award
include targets that can be easily tracked using the unaided eye or
binoculars, including the space shuttle, the international space
station - Alpha, several operational vehicles, and numerous rocket
bodies.
- Heavens-Above
- Master
Observers Club
- The Master Observer Award will be given to an Astronomical
League member who has completed at least ten of the League's observing
programs. There is a core requirement of five observing programs to be
completed by all.
- Meteor
Club
- Becoming a member of the Meteor Club only requires that you
are willing to allocate some of your time to looking for nature's
fireworks.
- The
International Meteor Organization
The American
Meteor Society
Association
for Lunar and Planetary Observers
North American
Meteor Network
Meteor
Showers
Meteors
and Meteor Showers
- Planetary
Observers Club
- The P.O.C. is a list of twenty-seven selected projects
designed to introduce you to the pleasures of planetary observing.
- Association
for Lunar and Planetary Observers
Lunar and Planetary
Institute
The Shallow Sky
- Sunspotters
Club
- The purpose of this program is to encourage solar observing
with an eye toward educating the amateur astronomer on solar features
and their evolution.
- Current
Solar Images
- Comet
Observers Club
- Comets are important members of our solar system, and their
study is important to mankind.
- Kronk's
Comet page
Potentially
observable comets
Sketching
a comet
British
comet page
Yoshida's home page
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