Amateur astronomy can get confusing, and for lots of reasons. Keeping up with who discovered what, how he or she named it, what it really is, and whether you can observe or image it is enough to make your head spin. So it is with the Struve family and the double stars that carry their name.
Target NEOs!* is an exciting opportunity for amateur astronomers to participate in a long-term citizen science project that will contribute to basic scientific understanding of near-Earth objects (NEOs). Observers collect data about asteroids on a selected list and submit images and corresponding reports. These observations directly support NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission and aid future mission designers and scientists. Citizen scientists’ astrometry and photometry data will enable scientists to test theoretical models about these objects to refine orbits and taxonomy. The observations, which are personally gratifying for the observer, represent important, real contributions to asteroid exploration. Some of the NEOs in this program are observable by 8-inch telescopes or larger equipped with CCD cameras. A larger telescope will allow more objects to be observed. Remote observing is welcomed, too. Many advanced amateur astronomers are highly skilled, possess large aperture telescopes equipped with research quality instrumentation, and are eager to engage in research oriented activities. Your observations can complement professional observatio
This question seems to resurface every August. Here are the facts.
Mars made its closest approach to Earth in human history on August 27, 2003. An astronomer back then was trying to explain how big it would appear and reported that the apparent size of Mars in a telescope at 75x would be similar to the apparent size of the moon with the naked eye. That statement was oft repeated but usually misquoted leaving out the part about the telescope. The urban legend of a Mars the size of the full moon was born.
(Kansas City, MO)--The Astronomical League is pleased to announce the top finishers in the competition for its Jack Horkheimer Service and Journalism Awards. The Horkheimer Service Award competition is open to students under 19 and students 8-14 are eligible to apply for the Horkheimer Journalism Award. All top finishers in the Jack Horkheimer Award program receive $1,000 in addition to a beautiful award plaque recognizing their special accomplishments. More information may be found on the Astronomical League website www.astroleague.org.
(Kansas City, MO)--The Astronomical League is pleased to announce the top finishers in the competition for its National Young Astronomers Award Program (NYAA).
Target NEOs!* is an exciting opportunity for amateur astronomers to participate in a long-term citizen science project that will contribute to basic scientific understanding of near-Earth objects (NEOs). Observers collect data about asteroids on a selected list and submit images and corresponding reports. These observations directly support NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission and aid future mission designers and scientists. Citizen scientists’ astrometry and photometry data will enable scientists to test theoretical models about these objects to refine orbits and taxonomy. The observations, which are personally gratifying for the observer, represent important, real contributions to asteroid exploration. Some of the NEOs in this program are observable by 8-inch telescopes or larger equipped with CCD cameras. A larger telescope will allow more objects to be observed. Remote observing is welcomed, too.
