Astronomical League Observing Programs Greg Haubrich MAS Astronomical League Awards Coordinator

1. Astronomical League Observing ProgramsGreg HaubrichMAS Astronomical League Awards Coordinator

2. To Promote the Science of Astronomy    - by fostering astronomical education'    - by providing incentives for astronomical observation and research;    - by assisting communication among amateur astronomical societies. The Astronomical League is composed of over two hundred and forty local amateur astronomical societies from all across the United States. These organizations, along with our Members-at-Large, Patrons, and Supporting members form one of the largest amateur astronomical organizations in the world.

3. What is it and Why do it? • Astronomical League (A.L.) Observing “Club”/Certificates are structured Observing Programs of astronomical objects intended to both teach and interest the Observer.. In some cases, amateurs can contribute to the advancement of science

4. Breaking Out of that Observing Rut • Do you find yourself viewing almost the same few objects every time you’re out Observing? • Do you ever wonder what awesome Observing you are missing, and what you could be learning about Astronomy?

5. Then A.L. List Observing is for You! • Guaranteed “fresh” new objects to Observe every time! • The A.L. has worked hard to create quality Observing lists ranging from Beginner to Very Advanced Observers; requiring from no equipment (naked eye) , to binoculars, small telescopes, large telescopes, and imaging equipment. • I can almost guarantee that many of the objects you Observe will rekindle that sense of discovery and wonder in each of us. • You will develop better Observing skills and will Learn more about the science of Astronomy with each project you undertake.

6. A.L. “Observing Clubs” / Projects • The Observing Clubs offer encouragement and certificates of accomplishment (and pins) for demonstrating observing skills with a variety of instruments and objects. These include the Messier “Club” and 31 other “Clubs”/Observing Projects. • Each Club offers a certificate based upon achieving certain Observing goals. These are usually in the form of a specific number of objects observed from a specific group with a given type of instrument. Occasionally 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 (The Observer’s Log). • 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 that you have reached your goal. Many local astronomical societies even post lists of those who have obtained their certificates. • There are currently 32 Astronomical League Observing “Clubs”/Projects.

7. A.L. Observing Program PINS

8. The Current 32 A.L. Observing Clubs are (p1 of 3) • Telescopic: • Messier Club; • Herschel 400 Club; • Herschel II Club; • Caldwell Club; • Southern Sky Telescope Club • Binocular: • Binocular Messier Club; • Deep Sky Binocular Club; • Southern Skies Binocular Club; • Learner: • Lunar Club; • Urban Observing Club; • Universe Sampler Club; • Sky Puppy

9. The Current 32 A.L. Observing Clubs are (p2 of 3) • Topical: • Asteroid Observing Club; • Double Star Club; • Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Club; • Master Observer Club; • Meteor Club; • Planetary Observers Club; • Sunspotters Club; • (Topical continued:) • Constellation Hunter’s Club (North & South) • Comet Club; • Arp Peculiar Galaxy Club; • Galaxy Groups & Clusters Club; • Globular Cluster Club

10. “NEW” A.L. Observing Programs:(p 3 of 3) • Planetary Nebula Club • Open Cluster Club • Lunar II Club • Outreach Club • Galileo Club • Dark Sky Advocate Club • Local Galaxy Group & Neighborhood Observing Club • Venus Transit Club* • *Note: This Club will be reactivated for the upcoming Venus Transit in 2012

11. Messier Club • Almost every amateur astronomer begins to be aware of the Messier Catalog as soon as he or she opens their first book on astronomy. The novice is sure to find some spectacular object pictured and designated by its "Messier Number" with the prefix "M". • Of the myriads of star clusters and nebulae scattered over the sky only about 100 (perhaps 110 at most) can claim membership to this celebrated list. However, this list happens to include many of the finest, relatively bright, objects observable from mid-northern latitudes.

12. Messier Club (page 2) • There is nothing in the catalog that the owner of so humble an instrument as a three-inch reflector cannot reach under good observing conditions. Many of the objects can be seen with binoculars and some with the naked eye. Thus, the Messier Catalog is a happy hunting ground for any amateur with a taste for deep sky objects. • Observe 70 Messier objects for the “Regular” Certificate, with all 110 for the “Honorary” Certificate ( you may upgrade), and keep a record of your observations (OBSERVER’S LOG) - - Star-Hopping only. Your notes must show: • a. Date of observation; • b. Time of observation; • c. Seeing conditions; • d. Aperture size of telescope; • e. Power used; • f. A short note describing your observation of the object. • Rule 2: Have your notebook or record examined by an officer of your Society or a suitably qualified second party if you are not a member of a society

13. Upcoming(?) A.L. Observing Programs: • Venus Transit Club • Dark Nebula Observing Club

14. Welcome to the Dark Sky Advocate Club! This program is unlike any other. If you have wanted to do something about a topic so important to our hobby — the loss of our dark skies due to light pollution — this is a way you can help. Here lies a great opportunity for you, as your enter the Dark Sky Advocate program, to make a positive, dramatic impact on your community that will be long lasting and far reaching. Can you imagine any better way you can influence the future? Introduction Light pollution and light trespass are two subtle but pervasive problems that degrade our quality of life and destroy our enjoyment of the night skies. Too many amateur astronomers have silently witnessed the unnecessary destruction of the night, first beginning in the cities but now spreading to the remaining rural areas. We must not choose to ignore this problem.  Objectives To become a Dark Sky Advocate, the candidate must understand the problem of light pollution. The candidate must know its causes and solutions. The candidate must realize how it affects our society in general, and amateur astronomy in particular. These objectives are achieved by the completion of various activities, some are observing related, most are not Dark Sky Advocate Club

15. Galileo Club Welcome to the Astronomical League’s Galileo Club. The purpose of this observing program is to experience the thrill that Galileo had when he was the first person to turn a telescope towards the sky. You will make observations like those that caused such a great uproar throughout Europe as you find evidence that shows that the Ptolemaic model of the Universe (geocentric) was wrong and that Copernicus might be right (heliocentric), and that Aristotle may not have been right either…

16. Observing Log Requirements • Certificate Specific Requirements: • Description of Observed Object. • Location. • Seeing and Transparency. • Drawing of Observed Object(s). • Picture/Image of Observed Object. • Classification Estimation (i.e. Globular, Open Cluster, and Sunspot Group Classification) • Filters used • Averted Vision Required? + • Other….(please see award rules) • “Universal” Observing Log Requirements: • Date. • Time. • Instrument used. • Magnification [= (Aperture*Focal Ratio)/(Eyepiece Focal Length)].

17. Potential Advancement of Science • Super Novae in Galaxies (contact CBAT: cbat@cfa.harvard.edu. Procedure at: http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/cbat.html (or Novae in our galaxy). • Discover new Comets (Comet Observation Homepage: http://encke.jpl.nasa.gov/) • Note weather patterns and changing surface features on the Planets (A.L.P.O. http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/alpo/) • Double Stars / Variable Stars (A.A.V.S.O. http://www.aavso.org/). • Asteriod Orbital data (Astrometry - - Check CBAT for details and resource material).

18. Summary of MAS AstroLeague Awards • Only 32 MAS Members out of the approximately 400 current MAS members have received A.L. Observing Awards • I extend a personal invitation for YOU to join us in this rewarding and exciting opportunity to participate in Amateur Astronomy! • For more information please check out www.astroleague.org, or contact Bill Kocken the MAS’ Observing Chair

19. My Personal A.L List Opinions: • Most Fun: Messier Club (because it was my first list?) I would recommend this as the first list to try for if you are reasonably comfortable with a using your telescope. It’s an outstanding accomplishment that will have you hooked on amateur astronomy for years to come. • Hardest (to date): Herschel 2 or Galaxy Groups and Clusters (faintest DSOs). While difficult, they’re still well worth doing. • Easiest: Deep Sky Binocular (late summer through late fall scores them all!) This was only “easy” because I had already developed Bino Observing skills with the Bino Messier already.

21. What are the Most Popular A.L. Observing Clubs? • Considering that some A.L. OBSERVING Projects were created more recently than others, here’s the number of OBSERVERS that have been awarded each certificate as of Dec. 23, 2008: • Messier Club Certificate: 2431 ! • Binocular Messier Club Certificate: 822 • Lunar Club Certificate: 632 • Herschel 400 Club Certificate: 401 • Double Star Club Certificate: 390 • Deep Sky Binocular Club Certificate: 263 • Meteor Club Certificate: 129 • Caldwell Club: 129 • Herschel II: 64 • Arp Peculiar Galaxies Club: 57 • Asteroid Club: 34 • Galaxy Groups and Clusters Club: 17

22. What is the Skill Level Required for each OBSERVING Project? • There are A.L. OBSERVING Projects for all skill levels within Amateur Astronomy: • Easiest: Universe Sampler Club, Lunar Club, Sky Puppy, & Constellation Hunter’s Club. • Easy: Double Star Club, Meteor Club, Sunspotter’s Club, Binocular Messier Club, and Southern Skies Binocular Club, & Urban Club. • Intermediate (a 3” Scope will do them all): Planetary Club, Messier Club, Comet Club, Earth Orbiting Satellite Club, Southern Telescope Club, & Asteroid Club. • Difficult (>= 10” scopes with good skill level): Herschel 400 Club, Caldwell Club(?), and the Master Observer Club. • Most Difficult (larger aperture scopes and more observing skills required): Arp Peculiar Galaxy Club, Herschel II Club, Galaxy Groups and Clusters Club, and the Master Observer Club.

23. What Observing Clubs are most Tolerant of Light Pollution? • Sunspotter’s Club (warning use a solar filter - - or look what can happen!) • Lunar Club • Planetary Club • Urban Club • Double Star Club • Earth Orbiting Satellite Club (can be). • Messier Club (“best” and brightest of the Deep Sky only Lists). - - Will still need to visit a dark sky site to finish.

24. What’s the “Best” Observing Project / Club for me? • You have to answer this one for yourself. • Contact Bill Kocken the MAS’ Observing Chair, or Greg Haubrich the MAS’ A.L. Awards Coordinator for help answering questions or Observing support. • Have FUN OBSERVING!!

25. Upcoming MAS Observer’s Events: • The Annual Messier Marathon!!! • March 2009 • The Virgo Venture!! • A self-guided tour (assistance available) of the 16 Messier Galaxies in the dense Virgo Cluster (detailed charts provided). • May 2009 • The Annual MAS Mini Messier Marathon (4M) • September 2009

26. The Ultimate Star-Hopping Challenge: The Messier Marathon! Messier Marathon 2003