Binocular Master Observer Award

Binocular Master Observer Award Coordinator:

David Whalen
1828 East Gate Drive
Stone Mountain, GA 30087
(404) 505-4208
E-mail: dvd.whalen@gmail.com

Introduction

The Astronomical League has members who observe the sky with telescopes, binoculars, and with their unaided eyes. The Binocular Master Observer Award was created to recognize those members who do not use a telescope. Its intent is to challenge these observers to improve their observing skills and to seek out new and different objects.

Each Observing Program has unique requirements. After reading this web page, and reviewing the Quick View of Requirements grid, if you have any questions about your equipment or how you plan to do your observations, please contact the Coordinator before you start observing.

Requirements and Rules

This certification is available to members of the Astronomical League, either through their local astronomical society or as members at large. 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 (click here), or join as a Member-At-Large in the AL Store.

The Binocular Master Observer Award will be given to an AL member who has completed at least eight of the League’s binocular-based observing programs:

Complete at least eight (8) of these Observing Programs:

Advanced Binocular Double Star Observing Program
Asterism Observing Program – Binocular Certificate
Binocular Double Star Observing Program
Binocular Messier Observing Program
Binocular Variable Star Observing Program
Deep Sky Binocular Observing Program
Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Program – Binocular Certificate
Galileo Observing Program – Binocular Certification
Lunar Observing Program (binocular requirements must be done using binoculars) or the Lunar Binocular Observing Certificate
Solar Neighborhood Binocular Certification
Solar System Binocular Observing Certificate
Southern Skies Binocular Observing Program

New certifications will be added as they are developed.

Once a member has completed eight of the Observing Programs, she or he will be awarded a certificate and pin.

Definition of Binoculars Allowed for Observations

The Astronomical League defines a binocular telescope as an observing device with two optical tubes and two eyepieces, where the eyepieces can be replaced with eyepieces of different focal lengths. “Bino-Viewers” have a single optical tube, but two eyepieces. “Bino-Viewers” and Binocular Telescopes may be used in any Observing Programs that are telescope-based. They may not be used in binocular programs.

Observing devices with two optical tubes and two eyepieces, where you cannot change the eyepieces, are binoculars. Binoculars may be used in any Observing Program requiring telescopes or binoculars. Most binoculars do not have sufficient magnification to replace telescopes.

Submitting for Certification

The member should contact the Coordinator of the Binocular Master Observer Awards with information that includes:

A list of the Observing Programs and Certificates you have completed.
The certificate numbers.
Your name, as you want it printed on the certificate.
Your mailing address.
Your telephone number.
Your E-mail address.
Your club affiliation (If you are a Member at Large, please include that information, too).

To receive your certificate and/or pin, mail or email a copy of your observations to the Observing Program Coordinator. Include your name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and society affiliation. Indicate to whom the certification should be sent.