Observers Challenge
The Observer's Challenge program is back and refreshed for 2011!!
The Observers Challenge program was a popular addition to TMSP starting in 2007. With the guidance of Jim Bielaga, three years of lists were assembled for attendees to take on observing during the star party. Completion of each list earned the observer a special Observers Challenge pin. The lists remained largely unchanged in 2010, other than updates done by John Goar to have them current with what was visible at the time of the event and coordinates for planets and asteroids.
Last year, the Directors were approached by Kreig "John Deere 'scope" McBride and Tom Masterson with an idea for revamping our Observers Challenge. After some discussions with the Directors on the logisitics of the program, Kreig and Tom were given the green light to proceed - and they have delivered! Here's what Tom and Kreig wrote up to describe the program:
"The TMSPA Observers Challenge list is an annual program designed for those interested in new challenges, goals and participation in an observing program. Included in the observers list is a wide variety of interesting objects, transient events which require planning, naked eye observing and both small and large aperture optical instruments. There will be some volunteers with large aperture scopes assigned with the task of assisting those observers with objects beyond their reach. The large aperture volunteers will have a sign designating their location, objects to be observed and times for public viewing.
At the end of each TMSP, transient events on the lists will be dropped and the 25 list requirement will continue with no list modifications."
The special Observers Challenge pin will be awarded to all observers who view 25 of the objects on the list. To be eligible to receive the award pin, the following criteria must be met:
- All observations must be made at the Table Mountain Star Party;
- You must log the date, time, telescope and magnification used;
- Write a brief description of the object or submit a sketch of the object.
Please check your Registration Packet Newsletter or at the Information Booth for times when you may submit your lists for review to receive your pin(s).
Tom and Kreig also supplied an Observation Note Sheet that you can download and print out copies to bring with you. There will be a very limited supply of these sheets on the mountain so make sure you bring enough for your needs if you plan on participating in the Challenge.
Kreig and Tom will continue to update the observing list each year and you will have the option of completing any or all of the lists available that year to receive the corresponding lapel pin award. If you did not complete a list from the previous year(s), you can pick up where you left off and still obtain a pin for that list (while the supply of pins lasts).
Here are the lists for the 2011 Star Party.
(click the links to download)
** The New 2011 Observers Challenge List **
RSS feed