The Wilderness Center Astronomy Club
May 5, 2002 Members Achievement Program
Purpose
The purpose of the Members Achievement Program is to:
1. Provide a means to educate members with respect to astronomical observing and astronomy in general from beginning to advanced topics.
2. Provide structured and individualized activities for every level of observing experience.
3. Provide a means to recognize members with individual talents, abilities or experience.
4. Provide a method to inspire members to do more and better observing.
5. To stimulate participation in astronomy activities among club members.
6. Provide members a means to share their observing experiences.
7. Provide a method of developing the capabilities of the WCAC by developing the capabilities of its individual members.
8. Provide members a means to contribute to science and society as a whole.
In general, the Members Achievement Program is a method for club members to gain “points” for making astronomical observations or for participating in astronomy related activities. These points cannot be redeemed for any prizes or anything of monetary value whatsoever except for the feeling of pride of achievement. There are five “levels” that members can progress through. The first two levels are primarily for beginning amateur astronomers, but more advanced astronomers may wish to complete the first two levels anyway just for fun. Members that do not wish to complete the first two levels may elect not to.
The club will recognize members who have achieved new levels by:
1. Issuing a name badge with the members current MAP level.
2. Presentation of a Certificate of Acheivement.“Grandfathering”
There were several discussions on whether or not we should allow credit for work accomplished before a member joins the achievement program. This is what we came up with. There are two goals of the program that seem to conflict with each other in regard to the grandfathering question. They are:
Provide a means to recognize members with individual talents, abilities or experience.
And
To stimulate participation in astronomy activities among club members.
According to the first goal, we should grandfather activities. According to the second goal, we should take the “what have you done for me lately” attitude. With this in mind, we will grandfather for one half credit only activities related to building telescopes and getting work published in national publications. All other activities would not receive any credit. Therefore, if you have a library full of observing logs, the only way they will benefit you in this program is that by making them you have the experience for a good head start. They will not receive credit unless the observations were made after the member started the achievement program.
To enroll in the Members Achievement Program, all you need to do is contact a member of the committee. The current committee members are:
Phil Hoyle
John Waechter
Bill CastroAddresses, phone numbers and E-mail addresses can be found in the back of the Horizon newsletter.
Note: If you wish to participate in the program by performing activities not in this document, or in activities that do not already have a point value, you MUST notify a committee member of the type of activity you will be doing PRIOR to submitting work for credit.
A description of each level is given below.
Level 1 - A person who has completed Level 1 could be described as an enthusiastic beginner. This person will have demonstrated some of the basics of the hobby. A basic knowledge of the sky or a basic knowledge of how to use a telescope or binoculars is required.
Level 2 - This level would be a more advanced beginner. This person would know enough about the sky and telescopes or binoculars to observe the sky without help from someone else.
Level 3 - A person who has completed this level would be considered an experienced amateur astronomer. This person would be competent enough to mentor someone else completing Levels 1 or 2.
Level 4 - A person who has completed Level 4 would be considered an advanced amateur (or professional) astronomer. This person must have an accumulated experience or achievements to distinguish him/her above most other people participating in astronomy. Actively participates in and contributes to research programs.
Level 5 - A person who has completed Level 5 is a person who has achievements that bring national recognition. This person has made significant contributions not only to the WCAC, but to astronomy in general.
Points
To attain each level in the program, the member must acquire points. As you will see below, the number of points for each level is ten times higher than the number of points required for the previous level. The purpose for doing this is to encourage people to continually expand their capabilities and or knowledge. In other words, it will not be too difficult to reach level III by submitting observing logs. However, if you want to reach level IV, you will either have to be one of the most experienced observation loggers on the planet, or graduate to an activity with a higher level of difficulty.
Requirements for Level 1: Acquire 100 points.
A. Take test on book Telescope Observing - How to Buy & Use an Astronomical Telescope. Points depend on score, 100 points possible.
B. Learn to identify individual constellations in the night sky; 5 points each.
C. Learn to identify individual stars in the night sky; 5 points each.Requirements for level 2: Acquire 1000 points.
A. Setup telescope for visual use. If equatorial telescope, must be able to polar align accurately enough for visual observations. Telescope must be balanced if applicable. 200 points
B. Find in binoculars or telescope any deep sky or solar system object. Earth and Sun are not included and deep sky objects may be bright enough to see with naked eye. Objects must be shown to mentor/examiner; 100 points each, Moon 50 points.
C. Collimate a telescope; 50 points SCT, 100 points Newtonian, 200 points Classic Cassegrain.
D. Align a finder scope. 50 points.
E. Measure eyepiece FOV to better than 5% accuracy, 300points.
F. Learn how to calculate eyepiece FOV.Requirements for Level 3: Acquire 10,000 points from choice of activity.
Requirements for Level 4: Acquire 100,000 points from choice of activity.Requirements for Level 5: Acquire 1,000,000 points from choice of activity.
Activities:
Below are listed recommended activities. Most of the activities are based on making observations of one type or another. If your favorite subject is the solar system planets, then you may submit all the observations you want of solar system objects. If deep sky is your preference, then observe deep sky objects.
This list of activities should be considered only a start. If you have an idea for some other activity or research program that you would like credit for, please contact someone on the MAP committee.
Observing logs
Observations may be made of any object outsite the Earth’s atmosphere including but not limited to:
1. The Sun
2. The Moon.
3. The other eight planets
4. Deep Sky objects
5. Man-made satellites.Observations may be made with any type of telescope including but not limited to:
1. “Department store” telescopes
2. Binoculars
3. Radio telescopes
4. Borrowed or rented equipment.Observing logs should contain:
1. The date and time. Must specify UT, EDT, EST, etc. as applicable.
2. Location the object was observed from.
3. Short description of equipment used including aperture, FL or F ratio, eyepiece and scope type.
4. Short description of sky conditions. (NELM, maximum useful magnification., Etc.)
5. Short description of what was seen.
6. Name or catalogue number of object.25 points for each complete log of an object.
Repeat observations (by same individual) of same objects under same or similar conditions get zero points. However, if sky conditions or equipment, etc. are dramatically different, points will be awarded. Points will also be awarded if the object is transient in nature. For example, points will be awarded for observations of sunspots or cloud features on Jupiter provided that enough time has elapsed between the observations that they are actually different observations. Repeated observations for an object like M13 will receive no points since that object does not significantly change.
Sketches as observations: 100 points
Sketches as observations must include all data in visual observation log except the sketch becomes the description.
Photos as observations: 100 points
Photos as observations must include all data in visual observation log except photo becomes the description. It also must include:1. The description of the equipment should specify the photographic method, i.e. still tripod exposure, piggyback, prime focus or prime focus with extender (Barlow or eyepice projection.)
2. Film type or CCD type.
3. Exposure time(s)
4. Whether or not the photo was guided and the method used for guideing.
5. Description of computer or darkroom processing.
Astroimaging skills: Photo/CCD
Points for astroimaging skills will be based on the single photo/image that is worth the most points.
POINTS FOR RESOLUTION:
>1.0 arcminute resolution: 2500 points
<1.0 arcminute resolution 5,000 points
<0.5 arcsecond (0.7 is equivalent to the Cassini Division.): 50,000 points
<0.05 arcsecond (equivalent to Enke Division): 500,000 points.POINTS FOR LIMITING MAGNITUDE:
< 6.0: 5000
6.0 to 15.0: 25,000 points, add resolution points if better than 1.0 arcminute
15.0 to 22.0: 50,000 points, add resolution points if better than 1.0 arcminute
22.0 + 500,000 points, add resolution points if better than 1.0 arcminuteMultiply by 0.5 for elongated stars or star trails
Multiply by 1.0 if stars are round, image is sharply focused and evenly illuminated.
Multiply by 2.0 if if stars are round, image is sharply focused and evenly illuminated and image has good dynamic range and/or contrast. Image is significantly more aestetically pleasing than average photo.
Multiply by and additional 2.0 if image is published in a national or international publication.
Image optical component of Gamma Ray Burst and report observation to ??? - 50,000 points.
Other Suggested Activities:
Submit Comet observation with magnitude estimate to Minor Planet Center: 750 points.
discovery or co-discovery of a asteroid, or minor planet, as recognized by the IAU (International Astronomical Union). : 100,000 points
discovery or co-discovery of a nova or supernova as recognized by the IAU (International Astronomical Union).: 100,000 points
discovery or co-discovery of a comet, as recognized by the IAU (International Astronomical Union).: 100,000 points
Participate in observing programs (contribute observations/data) from of the following organizations: (points TBD depending on program)
IOTA
ALPO
IMO (International Meteor Organization)
NGC/IC project.
Astronomical LeagueStars; Double, Variable, Etc.
Measure angle and separation of binary stars;
AAVSO: 250 points for each complete observation submitted to AAVSO. Observations made but not submitted do not count.
Telescope making and Home Observatories
Building your own:
Dobsonian mount,
equatorial mount
computerized mount (Alt-Az or equatorial.)
finder scope,
eyepiece,
Optical tube assembly from from commercial parts
primary mirror
flat secondary mirror (for Newtonians)
secondary mirror for Cassegrain or Schmidt Cassegrain
observatory
CCD camera
solar projection system.
Radio telescopePublic Outreach
Give assistance at an WCAC public stargaze event, such as Astronomy Day, public outreach program or public viewing night;
Become a mentor.
Mentor someone to Level I
Mentor someone to Level II
Mentor someone to Level III
Serve as an officer in the club for one term,
Submit article for publication in The Horizons newsletter: 1 point per word
Present a program/ lecture at one of the WCAC meetings; 1500 points for full program.
Give Planetarium program: 1000 points
Write planetarium program: 3000 points.Light Pollution
Join IDA
Participate in IDA projects.University/Professional research:
Provide data, photos, or observing reports to a university graduate, post graduate or professional research program. (Must show published results of YOUR contribution.)
Accredited college/University programs: 700 points per credit hour.
Non-Accredited programs.