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Fred,<BR>
<BR>
Just looking at the AL awards site for all who has received observing awards. <BR>
<BR>
Fred, you should consider consider getting your Messier and Herschel 400 certificates. This is too important to not be recognized. I prize both my Double Star and Messier awards. I have both of them framed. You also receive a very nice label pin for each...or at least they did for me. I feel sure they still give the pins which are very nice. <BR>
<BR>
I have at least 1,000 or more 3x5 note cards of the Messier objects...plus many sketches of each. This was back in the mid 90's.<BR>
<BR>
I had observed the Messier's one time before but was not pleased with my notes and sketches so I dedicated another year to doing a better job before getting my certificate. <BR>
<BR>
If I had been fortunate enough to complete the H-400 list I would have had our AL club "certification" officer to apply the following day after my completion.<BR>
<BR>
A goal to pursue one of the many AL awards program certificates can often "spawn" great things. Everyone, should have an observing goal to get at least the Messier certificate. The Double Star program is pretty easy if you have at least a 4-inch scope. <BR>
<BR>
The H-400 is really a tough program...maybe not "fighter pilot" training tough, but some of the objects can be pretty difficult. Some of the sparse and small open clusters can be unrecognizable. <BR>
<BR>
I have found over the years that this sort of thing keeps people motivated. <STRONG>A goal</STRONG>. <BR>
<BR>
If you will check out the awards you will notice that I was the 12th person to receive the AL double star certificate. I am very proud of that. <BR>
<BR>
For the DS list I mostly used a Meade ETX 90 or my 80mm "Japanese" f/15 refractor. Theta Auriga was one of the more difficult ones and I had to use my 4-inch to see the companion. Most of the more interesting doubles on this list I have also observed many times. <BR>
<BR>
For all of you which have not observed and received a Messier certificate why not do some of your work this weekend. <BR>
<BR>
You will need the following info:<BR>
<BR>
1. Object number<BR>
2. Date/Time<BR>
3. Observing location<BR>
4. Seeing conditions scale (scale: 1-10 after viewing a brighter 1st or 2nd mag star at 60X with 1 being very turbulent and 10 being perfectly steady.<BR>
5. Size of scope <BR>
6. Magnification used.<BR>
7. Describe the object.<BR>
<BR>
This is almost "verbatim" form the criteria set forth in the AL "Messier Objects" by kathy Machin and Sue Wheatly. A great little book which can be purchased from the AL. I still use it on many occasions. They did a great job...it is very inexpensive.<BR>
<BR>
Notes can be very simple...example. Most of the Virgo/Coma galaxies are small, round, brighter middle with little observable detail. Some have a slight elongation. You may see something else...a cotton ball.<BR>
<BR>
M33...would be large, bright with a more concentrated and brighter middle, low surface brightness, elongated shape, very irregular texture in the outer halo. The edges are ill defined and fade gradually outwards. I can easily see NGC 604 ( an HII region) in the arm at 57x using my 10-inch. This object is overall very diffuse. I did this just from my memory...I can see it now. <BR>
<BR>
Have a purpose in your personal observing program...you decide what that will be. <BR>
<BR>
Roger Ivester<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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