2018 Visual Observing Olympics:
The Hidden Gems of Stellafane
Now Includes a Binocular Observing List!
Telescopic Observing at Stellafane: Larry Mitchell is an avid, experienced visual observer. He is the owner of "too many telescopes," the largest being a 36-inch reflector and a 7-inch refractor. He has observed all of William Herschel's discoveries, and he is the author of the "Mitchell Anonymous Catalog," found in the MegaStar planetarium software database. He is the discoverer of Supernova 1994S, a Type 1a supernova in NGC 4495, a galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenice. Larry has authored several articles for Sky and Telescope and for Astronomy Magazine.
Larry is also the Chairman of the Texas Star Party Advanced Observing Program. The goal is to encourage people to visually observe objects they may have never heard of, or thought they could not see, and to successfully make their observations with modest-sized telescopes. At his presentation during the 2015 Stellafane Convention Larry told us about some of the best and most unusual objects from the 16 years of the TSP program's existence.
For 2018 Larry has put together a wonderful observing program for us here at Stellafane. Anyone who successfully finds 15 or more of the objects during Convention is eligible to recieve a pin commemorating their accomplishment. Based on the popularity of the program at Stellafane starting in 2016, we predict that these Stellafane Observing Olympics pins will be much in demand!
Binocular Observing at Stellafane: Phil Harrington is a familiar writer to most amateur astronomers for his books and articles on astronomy. He has spent countless hours observing objects in the sky using both telescopes and binoculars, frequently writing reviews about the astronomical equipment he used. Phil will be presenting a talk about binoculars on Saturday at 11:00 AM in the Pavilion. Geared to observers from beginners to advanced, it will provide an opportunity to learn about binoculars from an expert.
In addition, since the start of the Stellafane Observing Olympics two years ago, many attendees have asked for a binocular observing challenge. Phil has enthusiastically created the first Stellafane Binocular Observing Olympics (BOO) list, along with descriptions of each object. Find 15 objects out of the 20 and you will be given a commemorative pin for your achievement.
Awards: You can hand in your checked off observing lists at the Observing Olympics table set up in the field below the McGregor Observatory. Pins will be awarded Friday and Saturday evenings during observing hours, and Sunday morning at 10:30 AM. Copies of “The Hidden Gems of Stellafane” telescope Observing Olympics list, and the Binocular Observing Olympics list, will be available there, as well as in the Pavilion, the McGregor, and the Clubhouse.
The 2018 Observing Rules: The Deep Sky Objects listed are objects that are visible from the 2018 Stellafane Convention in Vermont. They have been divided into roughly equal proportions of Galaxies, Globular Clusters, Open Clusters and Planetary Nebulae. All objects should be visible in 4 inch and above telescopes under a sky with fairly good seeing and transparency.
1. Any telescope or combination of scopes may be used, but the observations must be completed during the 2018 Stellafane Convention. The same rule applies to Binoculars.
2. Objects may be found by star hopping or by go-to.
3. To qualify for the observing pin, simply check off the objects on the Observing List below.
4. The first 100 people successfully observing 15 or more of the listed objects will receive a Stellafane Observing Pin. Successful observers can obtain their pin at the Observing Olympics table located on the hill below the McGregor Observatory, on Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, or Sunday morning at 10:30 AM.
5. For questions during Convention, please see Larry Mitchell regarding the Observing Olympics list, Phil Harrington regarding the Binocular Observing list, or Springfield Telescope Makers Eileen Myers or Jay Drew.
6. Download the Observing List and other materials below.
A big thank you from the Springfield Telescope Makers to Larry Mitchell and Phil Harrington!
Click for the printable Telescope Observing Olympics Check List in pdf
Click for the printable Binocular Observing Olympics Object Check List in pdf
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