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The Astronomical League's
BINOCULAR
MESSIER CLUB
by John Wagoner
American Association of Amateur Astronomers
INTRODUCTION
 The Astronomical League is pleased to introduce its Binocular
Messier Club. The Binocular Messier Club is for beginning observers as well as
experienced amateurs. Beginning observers will find that it doesn't take an
expensive telescope, but only a simple pair of binoculars, no matter what size,
cost or condition, to do serious astronomy. On the other hand, experienced
amateurs, even though they may already have the AL's telescopic Messier and
Herschel certificates, will enjoy the new perspective binocular observing gives
them as they pull back from an object and observe the area surrounding that
object as well as the object itself. Seeing the object and its relationship to
the sky around it will help you put that object in its proper context in the
sky.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
To qualify for the AL's Binocular Messier Certificate, you
need only be a member of the Astronomical League, either through an affiliated
club or as a member-at-large, and observe 50 or more Messier objects using only
binoculars. Any 50 of the 110 recognized Messier objects may be observed. You
may use any pair of binoculars, but we recommend those with objectives between
20MM and 80MM in diameter.
To record your observations, you may use the log sheets found
in the back of the Astronomical League's manual Observe:
A Guide to the Messier Objects, or any similar log sheet. Your own
log sheets should include: object, date, time, power, seeing, type of binocular,
and observing notes. Order the Observe manual through Astronomical
League Sales, PO Box 572, West Burlington, IA 52655-9998. The price
is $10.00, including postage. Or you can order on-line at
www.astronomicalleague.com
To receive your Binocular Messier Certificate, simply send
your observations along with your name, address, phone number, and club
affiliation to your club’s Awards Coordinator, or to: Mike
Benson, AL Binocular Coordinator, 2116 Crystal Dr., Nashville, TN 37210-3333.
Phone (615) 883-6571. E-mail: ocentaurus@aol.com. Upon verification
of your observations, your certificate will be forwarded either to you or your
club's "Awards Coordinator," whomever you choose.
If you need to become a member of the Astronomical League as
a Member-at-Large, contact Jackie Beucher,
AL Executive Secretary, 11305 King Street, Overland Park, KS 66210-3421. (913)
469-0135. E-Mail: M31@sky.net.
You may also join The
American Association of Amateur Astronomers, which is a member
society of the Astronomical League. Join on-line at our web page: www.AstroMax.com.
Or send a check for $20 ($25 family) for each membership to: AAAA
Observing Coordinator, P.O. Box 7981, Dallas, TX 75209-0981. E-Mail: aaaa@AstroMax.com.
AAAA Members: If
you have completed an AL observing project, submit your observations directly to
the AAAA for certification. Be sure to send COPIES only. Do NOT send original
photographs or observing logs.
I think you will find that the Binocular Messier Club is a
fun and worthwhile project that will not only give you a whole new perspective
on the universe in which we live, but a more comfortable feeling for the night
sky that we all enjoy so much.
Good luck, clear skies, and good observing.
John Wagoner, AAAA
[ 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 Planetary Observers 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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