2021 Visual Observing Olympics:
The Hidden Gems of Stellafane

Includes both Telescope & Binocular Observing Lists

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 & Telescope and Astronomy Magazine.

Larry is also the Chairman of the Texas Star Party Advanced Observing Program. Its 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. For the fifth year Larry has put together a wonderful observing program for us here at Stellafane. This year Larry will tell us about the life and times of Sir William Herschel, the greatest visual observer of all times and the best telescope builder of his time. Larry will then cover a few of the objects on the 2021 Stellafane Telescope Observing Olympics list, all of which were discovered by Herschel.

Anyone who successfully finds 15 or more of the objects during Convention is eligible to receive a pin commemorating their accomplishment. Based on the popularity of the program at Stellafane since its start 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 Friday at 4:00 PM in the Pavilion. Geared to observers from beginners to advanced, it will provide an opportunity to learn about binoculars from an expert.

In addition, right after the start of the Stellafane Observing Olympics five years ago, many attendees asked for a binocular observing challenge. So starting in 2018 Phil enthusiastically created Stellafane Binocular Observing Olympics (BOO) lists, along with descriptions of each object. Find 15 objects out of the 20 on the list 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 2021 Observing Rules: The Deep Sky Objects listed are objects that are visible from the 2021 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 2021 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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