Free to the public and all are welcome to attend.

Speaker: Tom McDonough 

The presentation "An Introduction to the Astronomical League’s Observing Programs"

What are the Astronomical League’s Observing Programs and how can you participate?  The Astronomical League provides many different Observing Programs designed to provide a direction for your observations and to provide a goal. The Observing Programs have certificates and pins to recognize the observers’ accomplishments and for demonstrating their observing skills with a variety of instruments and objects. Tom’s presentation will address the needs of beginner and advanced amateur astronomers alike.  How to select a program? How to gather resources? How to make and record observations? How to submit observations?

As examples, Tom will discuss the following awards: 

• Beginner Level: Messier, Constellation Hunter, Lunar;
• Intermediate Level: Herschel/II, Planetary Nebula, Asteroid
• Advanced Level: Dark Nebula, Galaxy Groups, Radio Astronomy