Mark your calendars for AstroCon 2025, the Astronomical League’s 2025 national convention. It will be in Bryce Canyon, UT.

Read the flyer and plan to attend.

https://www.astroleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ASTROCON-2025-general-information-flyer.pdf

On-Line Registration will be available soon.

You may also use the paper form for registration.

https://www.astroleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ASTROCON-2025-Registration-20240806.pdf

AL-Con 2024 was an exciting event from the perspective of the Observing Program Disivion, and for all of you observers out there.  In fact, there is too much for one announcement, so watch for another one shortly.

1. The Astronomy before the Telescope Observing Certificate is now the Astronomy Before the Telescope Observing Program.  This means that although the requirements have not changed, in addition to the certificate, we also have pins.  For more information on this, check out the Program’s web page:  https://www.astroleague.org/astronomy-before-the-telescope-observing-certificate/
2. A new AL Observing Challenge:  Solar Max Observing Challenge.  Telescope and Binoculars – not required.  AL Membership – not required.  Observations may be done between now and March 31,2025.  We are at Solar Maximum, so this is a great opportunity.  For more information, chec out the Program’s web page:  https://www.astroleague.org/al-observing-challenge-special-observing-award/.  These observations may also be used for an upcoming new Space Weather Observing Program.
3. Aaron Clevenson is the new Coordinator for the Caldwell Observing Program and the Imaging – Caldwell Observing Program.  Thanks to Sue Rose for her many years of dedicated service as Coordinator.  The web page is: https://www.astroleague.org/caldwell-observing-program-introduction/.

If you are currently working on your Meteor Observing Program observations – this pertains to you!  The certifications for this Observing Program have changed to Silver Level for 12 hours total observing, and Gold Level for 36 total hours of observing (formerly called Honorary).  There are no other changes to the Observing Program.

For more information of if you are concerned about how this might affect you, please contact the Coordinator.  Meteor Oberving Program web page:  https://www.astroleague.org/meteor-observing-program/

If you have already earned your 36 hour certification, this has no affect on you.

The Observing Program Division is excited to announce new options for Naked-Eye observers.  No equipment?  No Problem!

We already have Observing Programs that require no equipment:

• Analemma: https://www.astroleague.org/analemma-observing-program/
• Alternate Constellations: https://www.astroleague.org/alternate-constellation-observing-program/
• Astronomy Before the Telescope: https://www.astroleague.org/astronomy-before-the-telescope-observing-certificate/
• Constellation Hunter – Northern and Southern Skies: https://www.astroleague.org/constellation-hunter-observing-program/
• Earth Orbiting Satellites: https://www.astroleague.org/earth-orbiting-satellite-observing-program/
• Meteor Observing: https://www.astroleague.org/meteor-observing-program/
• and the Eyes Only Certification for the Solar Neighborhood: https://www.astroleague.org/solar-neighborhood-observing-program/

Three additional Eyes Only levels have been added to existing Observing Programs:

• Galileo – Eyes Only Certification: https://www.astroleague.org/galileo-observing-program/
• Lunar – Eyes Only Certificate: https://www.astroleague.org/lunar-observing-program/
• Solar System – Eyes Only certification: https://www.astroleague.org/solar-system-observing-program/

And to crown this new effort, the Master Observer Progression has also created a For Your Eyes Only Certification: https://www.astroleague.org/for-your-eyes-only-observing-award/.

For more details and information, click on the links above.

No equipment?  No problem!