RASC Observing Programs:

 

Observing Certifications

Twenty-two members have earned a RASC Observing Certificate in 2019:


Explore the Universe:

            Cole Beselaera - Sarnia

            Berta Beltran - Edmonton

            Thomas Bracken - Montreal

            Nicole Laporte - Montreal

            Nick Pierre - Toronto

            Kevin Dromereski - Winnipeg

            Robin Clarke - Winnipeg

            Jean-Mark Brapeu - New Brunswick

            Lasileios Varsamis - Unattached (Greece)

            Murray Campbell - Ottawa

Explore the Moon: - Telescope

            Randy Enkin - Victoria

            Larissa Awad - Mississauga

            Henry Leparskas - London

            Leon Brown - Calgary

Messier:

            Ingrid G. de Bude - Ottawa

            Chris Vaughan - Toronto

            Nick Pierre - Toronto

            Dennis Pilon - Regina

            Wes Louden

Finest NGC:

            Nick Pierre - Toronto

            Murray Campbell - Ottawa

Isabel Williamson Lunar:

            Kirby Alguire - Unattached

 

The announcements of earned certificates will continue to be posted online on the respective RASC Observing sub-page, in the Bulletin, in the National Newsletter, in the RASC section of the SkyNews, on the @RASC Twitter account and the @theRoyalAstronomicalSocietyofCanada FaceBook page.  

Currently there are twenty-seven Centres that are local Certification Centres for the Explore the Universe Programs. It would be advantageous to have all RASC Centre’s as certification Centre’s. I will be contacting the Centre’s not listed inviting/convincing them to participate in the certification program.

The current Centres for the Explore the Universe can be found on the RASC website at: https://rasc.ca/participating-centres

Any RASC Centre with an active observing group should consider becoming a Local Certification Centre: The Centre must identify a member who will review and approve applications for the Explore the Universe certificate (ideally, that member would be an active observer who promotes RASC Observing Programs and mentors beginning observers). Send the name to the RASC Observing Chair for inclusion in the above list.

 

Observing Tips

 

Planetary Nebulae

  • Overall, would you describe the planetary as: easy, difficult, or absent from the field of view (see below)?

  • Is the nebula stellar in appearance, or can a disk be seen? Try different magnifications.

  • What is the shape of the disk (round, elongated, stellar)? Does it contain any irregularities?

  • Are the edges of the planetary sharp or diffuse?

  • Is the centre brighter, darker, or the same uniformity as the outer ring?

  • What is the colour of the planetary?

  • Can a central star be seen? Try very high magnification.

  • As a function of aperture, some planetaries ‘blink’ with the use of averted vision, but only at particular magnifications. Try this and describe what you find.

  • Some planetaries are seemingly invisible. An OIII filter might allow you to see a planetary that you can’t detect at first glance, or might allow you to see more detail in what appears to be a fairly bland object. What does the filter add?

  • Some planetaries appear stellar, and thus can’t be separated from the background stars.  In such cases, try rapidly flicking an OIII filter between your eye and the eyepiece.  You may be able to reveal a star-like planetary, as it will not dim as much as the other stars in the presence of the filter.

  • Are there any other deep sky objects located nearby?

 

 

Clear Skies,

 

Blair Stunder

RASC Observing Chair

Prince George, B.C