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THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE'S
URBAN CLUB
Rules and Regulations
List of Objects
Tips for Urban Observing
Rules and Regulations
By John Wagoner
American Association of Amateur Astronomers
Assisted By:
John A. Barra - Peoria Astronomical Society
Ken Boquist - Quad-Cities Astronomical Society
Bill Geertsen - Harford County Astronomical Society
David Hasenauer - Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
Lee Maisler - Member-At-Large
Chris Randall - Fort Bend Astronomy Club
Becky Schultz - Fort Bend Astronomy Club
Jim Tomney - Baltimore Astronomical Society
Roberto Torres - Southern Cross Astronomical Society
Introduction
 Welcome to the Astronomical League's new Urban Club. The purpose of the
Urban Club is to bring amateur astronomy back to the cities, back to those
areas that are affected by heavy light pollution. Amateur astronomy used
to be called "backyard astronomy". This was in the days when light polluntion
was not a problem, and you could pursue your hobby from the comfort of
your backyard. But as cities grew, so did light pollution, and the amateur
astronomer was forced to drive further and further out into the country
to escape that light pollution. It is not uncommon today for a city dweller
to drive 100 miles to enjoy his hobby. But many people do not have the
time or the resources to drive great distances to achieve dark skies. That
is the reason for the creation of this club, to allow those who want to
enjoy the wonders of the heavens in the comfort of their own neighborhoods
to do so, and to maximize the observing experience despite the presence
of heavy light pollution.
Our crack team of observers observed the objects on this list from the
East Coast to Middle America to the West Coast, and from major metropolitan
areas like Miami, Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles. Limiting
magnitudes went from a high of "4" down to "2" to a "GEEZ" as Becky Schultz
commented on one particularly bad evening. Instruments used ranged from
a six inch reflector to a ten inch SCT. So as you can see, there is a world
of objects out there that can be enjoyed under even poor skies, and it
only takes a small to medium sized telescope to enjoy them. We sincerely
hope that this club encourages you to continue your enjoyment of this wonderful
hobby of ours.
Rules and Regulations
To qualify for the A.L.'s Urban Club Certificate, you need only be a member
of the Astronomical League, either through an affiliated club or as a Member-at-Large,
and observe the 100 objects on the Urban Club list in light polluted skies.
Light polluted skies are defined as any area where you cannot see the Milky
Way with the un-aided eye. You may observe the objects with the naked eye,
binoculars or telescope, and any size telescope may be used. However, telescopes
from six to ten inches in aperture are recommended since a larger aperture
helps pull out fainter objects in a non-contrasty sky. Previous observations
of these objects may be used toward this club as long as they were done
in light polluted skies. Previous observations from dark sky sites may
not be used. All observations made in achieving the certificate for the
Urban Club may be used toward the certificates of other A.L. observing
programs. To record your observations, you may use log sheets similar to
those found in the back of the Astronomical League's manual Observe: A
Guide to the Messier Objects.You can order the Observe manual through Marion
Bachtell, Astronomical League Sales, P.O. Box 572, West Burlington, Ia.
52655-9998. The price is $6.00, including postage. If you use your own
log sheets, they should include: object, date, time, power, seeing, type
of instrument, and observing notes.
If you need to become a member of the Astronomical League as a Member-at-Large,
contact Linda Sensenig, M.A.L. Chairperson, 345 Douglass St., Wyomissing,
Pa. 19610, (215) 375-9062.
To receive your Urban Club Certificate and pin, simply send your observations
along with your name, address, phone number, and club affiliation either
to your club's Award's Co-ordinator or John Wagoner, A.L. Binocular Co-ordinator,
1409 Sequoia Dr., Plano, Tx. 75023, (972) 422-3301, stargate@gte.net. Upon
verification, your certificate will be forwarded either to you or your
club's Award's Co-ordinator, whomever you choose.
The List
There are actually two lists, one for deep sky objects, and another for
double and variable stars. All objects are listed in Right Ascension order
so that you can view them as they rise in the East and set in the West.
Information provided on each deep sky object includes: Catalog Number,
Right Ascension, Declination, Magnitude, Messier Designation (if any),
Type of Object, Size, Constellation, and what chart they are located on
in both the "Uranometria" and Tirion's "Sky Atlas 2000". Information provided
on the double and variable stars includes: Object, Right Ascension, Declination,
and Magnitude and Separation of the components. I hope you enjoy this list
of objects to observe, and that it helps increase your satisfaction in
observing from a light polluted area. I will look forward to your sharing
your observations with me. Until then, good luck, clear skies, and good
observing.
Acknowledgement
I and the Astronomical League wish to gratefully acknowledge Philip
S. Harrington of the Westport Astronomical Society for his suggestion
and support in creating this program.
Plano, TX. - November 9, 1997
[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Binocular Messier ] [ Binocular Deep Sky ] [ Double Star Club ] [ Urban Club ] [ Lunar Club ] [ Universe Sampler ] [ Planetary Observers Club ] [ Asteroid Club ] [ Southern Skies Binocular Club ] [ New AL Observing Programs ] [ Arp Peculiar Galaxies ] [ AL Observing Program Contact Info ] [ Observing Forms and Sketch Log ]
You MUST be a member of the Astronomical League, either
through membership in an affiliated astronomical society or as a
Member-at-Large, to receive certification for the AL Urban Club.
As a member of the AAAA, not only are you eligible to earn
this observing award, but you will also get your own subscription to the
Astronomical League's newsletter, the REFLECTOR, as well as our own quarterly
newsletter, The American Astronomer.
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