Astronomical League Observing Clubs

1. Astronomical League Observing Clubs A Primer Tom DeClue March 25, 2008

2. Astronomical League Observing Clubshttp://www.astroleague.org/ The Astronomical League (AL) is an international non-profit Federation of Astronomical Societies The AL Charter is: 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 Membership can be either as a member of an affiliated Club or a member-at-large

3. Astronomical League Observing Clubshttp://www.astroleague.org/ • CSAS is an AL Member Society • This means all registered CSAS members may participate in any of the AL Observing Clubs • As CSAS members you should also receive the quarterly AL “Reflector” magazine • Tom DeClue is the CSAS Observing Club Representative To The AL • By the way, the AL website has some very handy “Notes” such as: • Astronomical Pronunciation Guides • Observing tips • Astrophotography tips • Telescope Buying Advice • Reporting Discoveries, etc, etc.

4. Astronomical League Observing Clubshttp://www.astroleague.org/ • AL Observing Clubs Fit into Three Categories, • Deep Sky (14) • Solar System (9) • Other (5) • Equipment Required: • Ranges from the unaided eye to telescopes with solar filters • Experience Level: • Children to Professionals • There is no cost to participate in the various Observing Clubs, however… You may want observing aids for some which can be ordered on-line from the AL. Cost $3 to $18

5. Astronomical League Observing Clubshttp://www.astroleague.org/ The Deep Sky Observing Clubs (14) • 2Messier Club: [Certified by Club AL Rep] • Observe 70 of 109 – Certificate • Observe all 109 - Pin • 2Binocular Messier: observe 50 of 109 • 2Deep Sky Binocular: observe all 60 • 2Double Star (GoTo): observe all 100 • 3Herschel 400 (GoTo): observe all 400 • 3Herschel II (GoTo): observe all 400 • 3Arp Peculiar Galaxies (GoTo): • 100 of 338 imaged w/CCD • 2Caldwell: • Basic: 70 of 109 objects • Advanced: All 109 objects • 3Galaxy Groups & Clusters (GoTo): • Basic: Obs 30 of 120 • Advanced: Obs all 120 • 2Globular Cluster (GoTo): LAS • Observe 50 of 110 + 1 from challenge list • Open Cluster (GoTo) - Eff 3/31/08: • 2Basic: Obs 100 of 125, sketch 25 • 3Advanced: Obs all 125, sketch 50 • Planetary Nebula (GoTo): • 2Basic: Obs 60 of 110 • 3Advanced: Obs all 110 (attempts allowed) Ω • 3Advanced: CCD 90 • 2Southern Sky TelescopeΩ (GoTo): • Obs 50 of 110 w/30 ≥ -48 deg declination & 10 of the 30 ≥ -65 deg declination • 2Southern Skies Binocular: • Obs 50 from list of 73 Level of Difficulty 1Easy, 2Moderate, 3Difficult

6. Astronomical League Observing Clubshttp://www.astroleague.org/ The Solar System Observing Clubs (8) • 2CometΩ • Silver level -> 12 • Gold level -> +18 • Meteor (visual)Ω • 1Basic 6 hrs • 2Honorary 36hrs • 1Lunar: 100 features • 3Lunar II: 100 features • 2Sunspotter: 2 sets of drawingsΩ • 5 Sunspot Groups on different days • Full Sun for 2 solar rotations • 2/3PlanetaryΩ (GoTo): 25 of 27 projects • Inner Solar System projects – 8 • Sun/Moon – 6 • Outer Solar System - 13 • 3Asteroid (GoTo): 2 obs eachΩ • Regular -> observe 25 • Gold Level-> observe 100 • 3Satellite (EOSOC): 8 classes of • satellites [i.e. manned, active, etc.] Level of Difficulty 1Easy 2Moderate 3Difficult

7. Astronomical League Observing Clubshttp://www.astroleague.org/ The Other Observing Clubs (6) • 1Constellation Hunter (visual) • Northern Hemisphere: Sketch 39 constellations to visible limiting mag. w/obvious names • Southern Hemisphere: Sketch 57 constellations to visible limiting mag. • 1Universe SamplerΩ - 12 Projects • 3Sky PuppyΩ (children <11 yrs): 9 Projects • 2/3Urban Observing (GoTo): observe 100 of 102 objects • 14 double/variable stars • 88 Deep Sky objects to 10.1 mag • 3Master Observer: Complete 10 programs including these 5 core programs: • 1. Messier Club • 2. Binocular Messier Club • 3. Lunar Club • 4. Double Star • 5. Herschel Club • Outreach – Club Level • Basic Outreach: 5 - 2hr events • Stellar: +50 hrs • Master: +100 hrs Level of Difficulty 1Easy 2Moderate 3Difficult

8. AL Website Links Astroleague Office Email Address Changes About Us AlCor NewsLetter (Jan) Astro Links Astronomy Day Astronomy Day Factsheet Events 2008 Reports 2007 Astro Notes Awards Contact Us Events League Info List your event Membership Options Member Societies News aggregator • Observing Clubs • Awards List • Binocular Messier Club Introduction • Constellation Hunter Club • Globular Cluster Club • Lunar Club • Master Observer Network • Sky Puppy Club • Universe Sampler Club, etc… • Organizing and Planning • Other Astro Websites • Quick Links • Region Information • Site Map • Sponsors / Honor Roll • Store • Weekly Views

9. BACKUP DATA

10. Planetary Nebula • We have acknowledged the possibility that a few of the objects may simply be beyond detection for some observers and will allow negative observations in the completion of the advanced program • To record a negative observation, the observer must make at least two observing attempts on different nights, record all of the data required for a standard observation and describe in detail the methodology used to confirm that the proper position was examined. Each negative attempt MUST include a sketch of the star field. Observers are encouraged to make as many attempts to detect the object as possible and to submit negative observations only when resigned that detection is impossible. Negative observations WILL NOT be accepted for the basic program. • To obtain your certificate and award pin for this program, you will need to purchase the Planetary Nebula Observing Guide from the AL Bookstore specifically written to support this observing club. This guide includes the list of 110 planetary nebulae, choosen for this program, along with a nice introduction to planetary nebulae and hints on observing these majestic objects.

11. Southern Sky Telescope • All the objects on this list will be visible in a small telescope in good dark skies. • These are broken down into 20 "far-south" objects (-65 to -90), 40 "mid-south" objects (-48 to -65), and 40 "others" (-11 to -47). We tried to include the generally accepted "best" objects in the far south areas in the sky. The "other" objects north of -48 degrees are a mixed group. These objects include some old favorite Messier objects as well as more unfamiliar objects for northern observers.

12. Comet • WHAT TO DOCUMENT • Your observation log should be recorded in a notebook, hard copy print out or some other method. You can also use the observing form attached. Whatever method you use to record your observations, the following needs to be included: • (1) Name of the observer, email and location of the observer(2) Date and time of observations/image and location at which the observation/image taken(3) Official designation of the comet and name(4) The size of the telescope, location of telescope, exposure length, time of exposure (UT time) and additional information, power used, etc(5) Documentation of observations:(5a) A sketch/ drawing or CCD image or photograph. When it is a faint comet with no tail, at least two should be submitted indicating the movement of the object against the background stars. Planetarium programs may be used to indicate comet position and stars names. (5b) Regarding the drawings made by the observer- The nucleus, tail and background stars (drawn as dots) should be identified and labeled especially when the comets are very faint and non-comet like (little or no tail or coma). Tick marks can indicate the direction of movement against the star background, indicating hourly/ daily movement of fainter comets, to indicate movement against the stars either on a hourly basis or over two nights. • (5c) Computer based images can be submitted on 3.5-inch floppy diskette, CD, or ZIP disc in jpg, gif, or tiff format or on a html page, word document, etc. Images can be inverted (a negative exposure) if it brings out more detail in the comet. The name of a electronic file should indicate the common name of the comet and/or letter designation and date photographed-month/date/year (example, Ikeya-Zhang2001c10402). • (5d) Each photograph/image should be numbered and identified appropriately in the log/journal (ex. cometlinearwm1112001.jpg) • (5e) Photographs/Images can be printed out and included with the journal/log either background sky as dark with stars and comet white on black or an inverted image (black on white). An option is place the images on an html page, PowerPoint or other multimedia product on a ZIP disc or 3.5-inch floppy diskette. Appropriate documentation of the files and application used should be also sent. • (5f) While comets are quite noticeable because of the coma/tail, two or more observations should be used to verify the motion and identity of the comet that is dimmer than 6th magnitude and/or does not have a noticeable tail or coma.

13. Meteor • Observe meteors for at least 6 hours. You must observe at least one hour each session. Your notes must show all the information on the meteor observing form: • a. Date of observation;b. Time of observation (beginning and end);c. Location of observation (Place name, Latitude, Longitude, and Elevation);c. Observer's name;d. Percent cloudy at each hour during the observing period;e. Direction faced and altitude observed and time of any changes;f. Sky conditions at each hour during the observing period;g. Beginning and ending time of any breaks;h. Comments on the observations;f. Time, magnitude, shower membership, color, speed, train (if any), and comments for each meteor observed. • When you have observed for 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 hours, send in your additional observations to Mr. Kranz, indicating that you have completed the observations for an additional six-hour certificate. When you have reached 36 hours, you will receive an Honorary membership certificate. Be sure to indicate the return address. After 36 hours, it is no longer necessary to send your observations to the Astronomical League, but be sure to continue sending them to A.L.P.O.

14. Sunspotter • Artistic skill is not a requirement! Just diagram what you see as well as your skills allow. Use a number 2A lead pencil for best results. • Your five sunspot sketches must be done on five different days. These sunspot group drawings must be accurately labeled as to time, observing conditions, equipment used, and sunspot class. On each drawing, several features must be identified. The attached Sunspot Drawing Form shows the features you need to sketch and label. In order to see and identify all of the items, you will need to observe a rather complex sunspot group of Modified Zurich class D, E, or F. You may need to observe the sunspot group close to the limb to pick out all the details. To get an idea of how to fill out this drawing form, see an example here. • In the second set of drawings, you will sketch the whole disk of the sun throughout the passage of large sunspot groups during two different solar rotations. On the Solar Disk Drawing Form, outline the sunspot penumbrae and shade in the umbrae on the large circle. Classify all the sunspot groups on the disk and show the McIntosh classification letters on the small circle. Do a sunspot count, compute the Wolf Number, and fill out all the other blanks on the form. One of your sketches (in either the first or second set of drawings) should show the "Wilson effect". We realize that weather conditions may prevent daily observing, but at least half of the days for any given rotation should be observable. You should have a minimum of 20 whole disk drawings for the two rotations. To get an idea of how to fill out this drawing form, see an example here. • This program is designed to be completed using a white light solar filter.  A future OBSERVE program will address solar observing using hydrogen-alpha viewing.

15. Planetary Observer • SUN: Sunrise, Sunset Azimuth Positions • MOON: Maria, Highlands, Crater Ages, Scarps, Occultations • Mercury: Find it! • Venus: Low power crescent, Daytime, Phases • Mars: Albedo, retrograde motion • Astroids: course plotting, measure movement • Jupiter: red spot, galilean sats, cloud belts, sat discovery, shadow transits, sat transits, sat occultations/eclipses • Saturn: the rings, cassini division, disk markings, satellites • Uranus: Locate • Neptune: Identify

16. Asteroid Club Your observations should be recorded in a notebook or on a computer and should include: the location, date and time of the observation, the number and name of the asteroid, and the instrument used. If working visually, each observation should include a sketch showing the position of the asteroid in relation to the nearby stars. Each asteroid must be observed at least twice in different positions, and at the time of the second observation you must verify that the object is no longer in the position where it was observed the first time. If using CCD imaging, it is sufficient to either print the two positions or measure them and simply report the positions of the asteroid according to standard astrometric procedures.

17. EOSOC - Satellites Active Payloads – 4 Rocket Bodies – 4 Manned Spaceflight – 2 Iridium Flares – 4 Mulit-National - 4 Multipass – 2x2 Formation 2/obs Aged Elsets – 2x2

18. Sky Puppy • Sky Puppy Projects: • Must draw by freehand 15 constellation patterns (with or withoutstick-figures and not necessarily from memory) • Without aids or assistance, must be able to positively identify in thenight sky the same 15 constellations • Must be able to identify and briefly describe any major stars ornaked-eye objects in each constellation (i.e. "Betelgeuse is a redsuper-giant star", or, "that fuzzy patch is the Andromeda galaxy") • Must be able to tell 2 different traditional constellation stories from acultural tradition of the child's choice. • Must be able to use binoculars to locate and identify 5 deep-spaceobjects from this list suited to binocular observing. • M42, the Orion nebula • M31, the Andromeda galaxy • Albireo, a double star in Cygnus • The large and/or small Magellanic Clouds • The Pleiades • The Hyades • a Globular cluster • The Beehive • Must be able to identify and describe the Milky Way • Must be able to find the North Star (or the Southern Cross) • Must keep a log of all observations. Each entry must provide object,date, naked-eye or binocular, and notes. • Must draw a rough sketch of one of the following: • Jupiter with as many of the 4 Galilean moons as you can see • The sun with sunspots • A crater on the moon

19. Universe Sampler The titles of the lessons are: • Basic Sky Movement • How to Find North in the Sky • Star Charts and Constellation Patterns • Angular Measures and Distance • Stating the Location of Objects in the Sky • Star-Hopping • Eyepiece Field Orientation • Recording Your Observations • The Art of Seeing • The Moon • Variable Stars • The Sun