Beyond Polaris Observing Certificate Checklist

Send the completed checklist to the Coordinator:

Maynard Pittendreigh
1281 Serena Drive
Winter Park FL 32798
Telephone: 321-400-4312
E-mail: Maynard@Pittendreigh.net

Your Name:	______________________________
Your Astronomy Club:	______________________________
Your Address:	______________________________
Your Email Address:	______________________________
Your Phone Number:	______________________________
Send Certificate to:	_____ You
	_____ Your Awards Coordinator
Coordinator’s Name:	______________________________
Coordinator’s Address:	______________________________

REQUIREMENTS:  (Check box on left and enter date and time when completed.)

	A. Basic Background Information
[     ]	1. Keep a log including notes of each requirement (observations and new knowledge).​	__________	__________
[     ]	2. Understand Star Party Etiquette & create your own Sky Kit (things to take to a star party).	__________	__________
[     ]	3. Tell 2 mythical constellation stories.	__________	__________
[     ]	4. Research the Milky Way Galaxy, and what it should look like in the night sky.	__________	__________
[     ]	5. Draw a sketch of the solar system identifying the planets.	__________	__________
[     ]	6. Learn a unique characteristic about each planet.	__________	__________
[     ]	7. Explain the difference between an asterism and a constellation.	__________	__________
[     ]	8. Explain Binary Stars and Star Clusters (open and globular).	__________	__________
[     ]	9. What is the meaning of circumpolar?	__________	__________
[     ]	10. What is the Messier Catalog? Who was Messier and how many objects are in the list?	__________	__________
[     ]	11. What is a Nebula? (Emission and Reflection)	__________	__________
	B. Looking at Stars and Constellations
[     ]	1. Draw by freehand 15 Constellations.	__________	__________
[     ]	2. Locate and identify three constellations (Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Leo, Orion, The Southern Cross, Cygnus, or others).	__________	__________
[     ]	3. Locate and identify the North Star/Polaris using other constellations (Ursa Major, Cassiopeia, The Summer Triangle, or Orion).	__________	__________
[     ]	4. Locate two planets in the night sky.	__________	__________
[     ]	5. Demonstrate use of a Planisphere.	__________	__________
[     ]	6. Identify Major Stars and Objects in 15 constellations.	__________	__________
[     ]	7, Observe 1 deep space objects with the naked eye (M45 – the Pleiades, The Hyades in Taurus, M42 – the Orion Nebula, M44 – the Beehive in Cancer, M41 in Canis Major).	__________	__________
	C. The Moon
[     ]	1. Sketch the seven phases of the moon.	__________	__________
[     ]	2. Identify three Moon Maria (seas).	__________	__________
[     ]	3. Sketch the Man, the Rabbit, and the Woman in the Moon.	__________	__________
[     ]	4. Explain Lunar and Solar Eclipses and draw a diagram.	__________	__________
[     ]	5. What is definition of the Terminator (on the Moon)?	__________	__________
	D. Meteor Showers, Shooting Stars, Falling Stars, Zingers
[     ]	1. Understand the definitions and the difference between Meteoroids, Meteors, and Meteorites.	__________	__________
[     ]	2. Identify 3 major Meteor Showers and the dates when they occur.	__________	__________
	E. Protecting our Dark Skies
[     ]	1. Evaluate your personal property related to reducing Light Pollution.	__________	__________
[     ]	2. Learn about Watts, Lumens and Kelvin (color) of light bulbs.	__________	__________
[     ]	3. Educate others on the importance of proper and appropriate outdoor lighting. Include the value of Dark Skies and proper lighting to cost savings, wildlife, human health and enjoyment of the sky.	__________	__________
	F. Future Planning
[     ]	1. Document in your log information about the next star party which you plan to attend.	__________	__________
[     ]	2. Review the Astronomical League Observing Programs.	__________	__________