Introduction
Different observers have different types of equipment. Fortunately, the Astronomical League has Observing Programs for astronomers at all levels of experience, expertise, interests, and equipment.
Different observers have different types of equipment. Fortunately, the Astronomical League has Observing Programs for astronomers at all levels of experience, expertise, interests, and equipment.
Naked-Eye Observers:
- Alternate Constellations
- Analemma (special equipment is built)
- Astronomy Before the Telescope (certificate only,special equipment is built)
- Beyond Polaris (introductory program)
- Constellation Hunter – Northern Skies
- Constellation Hunter – Southern Skies
- Earth Orbiting Satellites
- Meteor
- Universe Sampler
Binocular Observers:
- Advanced Binocuar Double Star
- Binocular Double Star
- Binocular Master Award
- Binocular Messier
- Binocular Variable Star
- Deep Sky Binocular
- Galileo (Binocular)
- Lunar (Binocular)
- Sky Puppy
- Solar System (Binocular)
- Southern Sky Binocular
Telescopic Observers:
- Active Galactic Nuclei
- Arp Peculiar Galaxy – Northern Skies
- Arp Peculiar Galaxy – Southern Skies
- Caldwell – Silver
- Caldwell – Gold
- Carbon Star
- Comet
- Dark Nebula
- Dark Sky Advocate Award
- Double Star
- Flat Galaxy
- Galaxy Groups and Clusters
- Galileo
- Galileo’s T.O.E.S. (certificate only)
- Galileo’s T.O.E.S. II (certificate only)
- Globular Cluster
- Herschel 400
- Herschel II
- Herschel Hustle (certificate only)
- Herschel Society – Silver
- Herschel Society – Gold
- Hydrogen-Alpha Solar (special equipment required)
- Local Galaxy Group and Neighborhood
- Lunar
- Lunar II
- Lunar Evolution
- Mars
- Messier
- Multiple Star
- Nova
- Occultation
- Open Cluster
- Planetary Nebula
- Planetary Transits (multiple options, limited time only)
- Sketching
- Sky Puppy (youth – introductory program)
- Solar System
- Southern Sky Telescope
- Stellar Evolution
- Sunspotter (special equipment required)
- Target NEO (Near Earth Objects)
- Two in the View
- Universe Sampler
- Urban (light-polluted skies)
- Variable Star
- Youth Astronomer
Imaging Equipment Required:
- Many of the Observing Programs include an Imaging option.
- Foundations of Imaging
- Master Imager Award
- Target NEO (Near Earth Objects)
Special Equipment:
- Analemma
- Astronomy Before the Telescope (certificate only)
- Hydrogen-Alpha Solar
- Radio Astronomy
- Spectroscopy
- Sunspotters (Solar Observing)
Awards:
- Advanced Observer Award
- AL Observing Challenges (multiple options, limited time only, certificate only)
- Binocular Master Observer Award
- Citizen Science Awards (multiple levels and activities)
- Dark Sky Advocate Award
- Library Telescope Award
- Master Imager Award
- Master Observer Award
- Master Observer Award – Silver
- Master Observer Award – Gold
- Master Observer Award – Platinum
- Mentor Award
- NASA Observing Challenges (multiple options, limited time only, certificate only)
- Observer Award
- Outreach Award
- Solar Eclipse (limited time only)