News

Observing Program Division Announcement – OP Relationship Graphic

The Observing Program Division is pleased to announce the inclusion of a new Observing Program Relationship Graphic.  It is a represetation of the Universe, the Milky Way, and the solar system with the Observing Programs grouped and superimposed to show how they relate to the cosmos.  It is available through our menues by using Observe>Observing Program Division, and scrolling down to the bottom of the Observing Program Planning Tool section, by clicking on this link to go directly to that page, or by clicking here to see it directly.  The explanation of the graphic is contained on the Observing Program Division web page.  Enjoy.

Observing Program Division Announcement – New Observing Program

The Astronomical League is pleased to announce its newest Observing Program: The Extragalactic Objects Observing Program. This is not a galaxy program, but an observing program featuring very Deep Space Objects (other than galaxies). These are the familiar objects from our own galaxy (Open Clusters, Globular Clusters, etc.) but they are part of other galaxies (such as Andromeda). Check out the new program, its requirements and its object list: https://www.astroleague.org/extragalactic-objects-observing-program/

Observing Program Division Announcement – Parker Solar Probe 2.0 Special Observing Award

Did you miss the opportunity to participate in the Special Award in August?  Do you want to have a second round with the Parker Solar Probe?  This is your chance!  To honor the probe’s closest approach to the Sun in December we offer version 2.0.  For details and requirements for this Special Observing Award, go to the AL’s NASA Observing Challenges web page:  https://www.astroleague.org/nasa-observing-challenges-special-awards/ .  This is our 11th NASA Observing Challenge.

Don’t Miss the Comet: C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)

It is finally in the evening skies.  Best viewing (weather permitting) will be from 10/12 through 10/26.  After sunet, look west and above where the sun just set.  It should be awesome in binoculars.  NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN!!!  On 10/12 the comet will be 16 degrees altitude at sunset, and will climb steadily each night.  By 10/26 it will be at 49 degrees altitude at sunset, but it will also be about 2 magnitudes fainter.  Enjoy.

Observing Program Division – Update – What’s Up With My Magnetometer?

For those of you braving the Solar Maximum AL Observing Challenge or the new Space Weather Observing Program, you may have noticed that your homemade Soda-Bottle Magnetometer is not working the way we all expected it to.  We have uncovered (with the help of many of you…) that there are some challenges facing us.   This link will share what we have learned.  Good luck – and keep on observing.  https://www.astroleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Magnetometers-Challenges.pdf

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