The Astronomical League is excited to announce the new Master Observer Progression.  No change to the current Master Observer Observing Award, but new levels with new requirements.  There will be something for novices all the way through the most advanced observers.

New to astronomy?  Unsure where to start?  Start with the Observer Award!

Completed your Master Observer?  Wondering What to do next?  There are now new levels to which to aspire:  Advanced Observer Award, Master Observer – Silver Award, Master Observer – Gold Award, and Master Observer – Platinum Award.

The website explaining all the new levels and their requirements is coming soon…

We have a new Coordinator for the Open Cluster Observing Program.  Cliff Mygatt, one of the National Observing Program Directors, is temporarily coordinating the program.  If you are working on the program and have questions or are ready to submit it, please be sure to check out the webpage for the current information.  (Of course it is a good idea in all observing programs to check the webpages to be sure you know the most current information…)

A big thank you to Benjamin Jones for many years of coordinating the program.

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From the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy:

The event will bring together scientists, engineers, and visionaries from astronomy and the space industry to share their experiences with students and teachers as they spend an evening stargazing from the South Lawn. In addition to inspiring students and stargazers from across the country to learn about the newest astronomical discoveries and the technologies that enable us to explore and live in space, we are continuing progress on the President’s call to action to expand access and opportunities for students and adults to participate in the wonders of science and space.

The White House hopes that scientists and amateur astronomers will join in celebrating the White House Astronomy Night by hosting their own events at observatories, schools, planetariums, museums, and astronomy clubs nationwide on October 19.  

Questions? Contact…

Meredith Drosback, the Assistant Director for Education and Physical Sciences at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and

Tamara Dickinson, the Principal Assistant Director for Environment and Energy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

at AstronomyNight@ostp.gov.

Complete information:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/08/21/white-house-astronomy-night-celebration-science-technology-and-space

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Announcement of the digital edition of the September 2015 Reflector was completed Sept. 7 at 9:35 pm MDT. It appears to have went well — nothing crashed at least. 

If you did not receive a notice and you are a member of an affiliated club or a Member-at-Large send me an email  webmaster@astroleague.org . Let me know your local club name (or MAL) and first and last name and a correct email. I’ll see that your info is corrected.  Due to the number emails I’m getting it may take a while. However, I will answer all emails.

In reading my announcement note, you may have gotten the impression that the Reflector will be switching to a digital only version in the near future. I apologize for giving that impression.

The Astronomical League has no plans to drop the paper edition at the  present time. In order to be more environmentally friendly, increase access to our readers, and to reduce costs, the AL is offering both a digital and paper option.  Over time, a growing percentage of people will prefer a digital format and we are making that option available now.  The cost savings will enable the AL to expand its programs and offer additional benefits to its membership  

Vern

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EarthSky and the Astronomical League have agreed to partner in the years 2016 to 2018 to bring the wonder, beauty, and mystery of the night sky to the public. The partnership was finalized today (July 30,  2015).  John Goss, president of the Astronomical League, said:
The Astronomical League, the nation’s largest federation of astronomical societies, is  proud  to  partner  with  EarthSky  …  We  recognize  the  importance  of  what stargazing  and   amateur  astronomy  offer  to  the  betterment  of  our  society, especially to the benefit of our young.

Among many other activities,  the Astronomical  League hosts a national meeting for  all  people  interested  in  astronomy.  It’s  called  ALCon,  and  you  are  hereby invited.

Deborah Byrd, founder and editor-in-chief of EarthSky, added:
We are thrilled and honored to be  partnering with the  Astronomical League, and we’ve  got  some  exciting  plans  for  the  coming  three  years.  For  example,  after surveying  our  audience and getting  their ideas on what they want to see,  we’ve been working toward a slightly different design for our website (bigger pictures!), which we hope to implement in early 2016. We also hope to add two new features to  EarthSky.org,  first,  a  global  map  where  people  can  pinpoint  their  favorite stargazing locations, and, second, a calendar of events (star parties and the like) that people can attend and enjoy. The Astronomical League will be helping us with both features, and we are grateful for their support.

In the coming three years, we also want to help our audience understand, prepare for and
enjoy the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse, which will be visible from North America.
And  we  want to continue  building  providing  information about astronomy to our audience,  enabling  them  to  take  next  steps  toward  enjoying  astronomy  as  a lifetime pursuit.
The  partnership  will  include  co-promotion  of  EarthSky  and  the  Astronomical League in each organization’s outreach to club members and the public. And it will include an exchange of information, designed to help each group accomplish their goals.
Bottom  line: EarthSky and the Astronomical  League announced a partnership for the years 2016-2018.