AL Observing Challenge – Special Observing Award

AL Observing Challenge Special Award Coordinator:

Cliff Mygatt
P.O. Box 8607
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-265-5418
cliffandchris@wavecable.com

Introduction

The Astronomical League has identified opportunities to commemorate special astronomical events and bring you AL Observing Challenges. New opportunities will be added as significant celestial events are identified.

Requirements and Rules

To earn the certification, you need to meet these requirements:

Image or sketch the required object(s)
Submit that image or sketch as indicated by that challenge. These should show as much detail as possible.
Do an outreach activity related to observing Challenge. Include the date, time, and details of this activity in the same email to the coordinator.
The deadline for submitting to meet this challenge is one month after the event, or as indicated by the specific Observing Challenge Late submissions will not be accepted

You do not need to be a member of the Astronomical League to receive this certification. If you are not a member and would like to become one, check with your local astronomical society, search for a local society on the Astronomical League Website, or join as a Member-At-Large in the member at large .
The certificates, which are suitable for framing, will be emailed to you upon completion of the Challenge and submission to the Coordinator, and may be printed by you.

The AL Observing Challenges

Current Challenges:

9. The Astronomical League is pleased to offer our 9th AL Observing Challenge: Observe the Moon 2023. (deadline for submission is November 21, 2023.)

The downloadable certificate is located here.

This Challenge is being done working closely with NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night. More information can be found on their website by clicking here.
This Challenge is telescope based. You will need a modest telescope and a good map of the Moon.
Observers may work together using the same telescope.
To complete the challenge, locate and observe the 20 objects on this target list:

Craters:

1. 1. Albategnius
  2. Atlas
  3. Cassini
  4. Catharina
  5. Cleomedes
  6. Cyrillus
  7. Endymion
  8. Eudoxus
  9. Fracastorius
  10. Hercules
  11. Macrobius
  12. Picard
  13. Piccolomini
  14. Plinius
  15. Posidonius

Other Features:

1. 1. Lacus Mortis
  2. Mons Hadley
  3. Rupes Altai
  4. Rima Hyginus
  5. Vallis Alpes

An Observation should include this information:
- Date and Time of the observation.
- Location where you did the observation.
- Sketch or image those 20 objects.

Do an outreach activity related to the Moon and the International Observe the Moon Night.
Submit all of the required information for the observations and the outreach activity as well as the sketches or images to the Observing Program Coordinator.
Timings for this challenge:
- You may do your observing from October 18 through October 25, 2023.
- Submission MUST arrive to the Coordinator by November 21, 2023.
Late submissions will not be accepted.

Past Challenges:

For details on the requirements for prior awards, click here.

1. The Great Conjunction Observing Challenge (deadline for submission was February 21, 2021)
2. Observing The Moon Observing Challenge – 2021 (deadline for submission was October 16, 2021)
3. The AL 75th Year Anniversary Observing Challenge (deadline for submission was December 31, 2021)
4.  Astronomical League Galaxy Season Observing Challenge (deadline for submission was June 30, 2022)
5. Astronomical League Globular Cluster Observing Challenge (deadline for submission: October 31, 2022)
6. Observing the Moon Observing Challenge – 2022  (deadline for submission: November 9, 2022)
7.  Astronomical League – Moons Observing Challenge (deadline for submission: December 31, 2022)
8.  Astronomical League – Galaxy Challenge 2.0 (deadline for submission: July 25, 2023)

AL Observing Challenges Special Awards Coordinator:

Cliff Mygatt
P.O. Box 8607
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-265-5418
cliffandchris@wavecable.com