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All observations must be done at a magnification between 10 and 20. Either binoculars or a telescope may be used. The instrument should be mounted to provide adequate stability. Go-To equipment is allowed. Two types of certificates will be issued. One will be for those observers who certify that they did all of their observations using binoculars and the unaided eyes (Galileo Binocular Observing Program). The other is for those who employed any combination of a telescope, binoculars, and unaided eyes (Galileo Observing Program).
You must complete all of the requirements except those that are labeled “Optional”. The optional ones should be done if you are able, but by their nature it is expected that many observers may not be able to do them.
To earn this certification, you must be a member of the Astronomical League in good standing as a member of an affiliated society or as a Member-at-Large.
You should document the requirement number, the date and time of your observation (local or UT), the Latitude and Longitude, the Seeing and Transparency, the equipment used and its magnification, and a sketch and description.
Locations used: Latitude Longitude
Broemmelsiek Park, Defiance, MO 38.723 N 90.815 W
Glacier National Park, Apgar Transportation Parking Lot 48.523 N 113.986 W
Home, Chesterfield, MO 38.631 N 90.553 W
Odenton, MD 39.053 N 76.703 W
Shenandoah National Park, VA 38.248 N 78.669 W
White Memorial Wildlife Area, Whiteside, MO 39.171 N 91.005 W
Binoculars Used:
Bushnell 7x50
Orion 11x80
Bushnell 20x50
Lunt 6x30 solar
Activity
Binoculars/naked eye data
Sketch and notes
1. December 24, 1604 – Supernovae (optional):
The objective is to show that the heavens do change. Observe a naked-eye supernova in the Milky Way galaxy. Make a sketch of the sky during the supernova and one after the supernova has faded below the level of visibility. Estimate its maximum brightness. It should be noted that the last time a supernova was visible in the Milky Way galaxy was in the early 1600’s when Galileo observed one.
Not attempted
2. November 30 through December 19, 1609 – The Moon: (done)
The objective is to show that the moon is not a flawless sphere; it has mountains. Observe and sketch the moon. It may be done at any phase where enough detail can be seen to show that there are mountains and valleys on the moon. Near the first or last quarter phases is the best time for this observation. Include only the details that you can see.
Date: 9/29/2017
Time: 8:00 pm CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 4/10
Binoculars: 7x50
FOV: 6.6 degrees
3. January 1, 1610 – Jupiter’s moons: (done)
The objective is to show that all objects in the universe do not orbit the Earth. Observe and sketch Jupiter and its moons daily through at least one cycle of their orbits. This will be a minimum of 17 days, and you may have to do multiple orbits to get the entire orbits. From these sketches, note the dates and times of their greatest distance from Jupiter, and calculate the orbital periods of the four Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
Date: See table
Time: See table
Location: Home (Chesterfield MO)
Seeing: varied nightly no better than 5/10
Transparency: varied nightly 3/10 or less
Binoculars: 20x50s
FOV: 3.2 degrees
Periods (accepted):
Io 1.769 days
Europa 3.551 days
Ganymede 7.155 days
Callisto 16.689 days
Periods (measured):
Io 1.9 days
Europa 3.8 days
Ganymede 7.6 days
Callisto 17.0 days
4. 1612 – Jupiter’s moons in eclipse: (done)
The objective is to show that in addition to the moons being occulted by Jupiter, they also travel through Jupiter’s shadow and are eclipsed. Observe and sketch, noting the timing, one of Jupiter’s moons during an ingress or egress with Jupiter’s shadow. Callisto or Ganymede is the most dramatic. Two observations should be done. One should be close to when Jupiter is at opposition. The second should be done when Jupiter is at quadrature (90 degrees from the sun). Note how close to the planet the moon is when the event occurred. (Editor’s note: At least two observations and timings are required.)
Jupiter Western Quadrature
2018/02/11 08:21 UT
Date observed: March 15, 2018
Time: 4:50 a.m CDT
Location: Home (Chesterfield, MO)
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 2/10
Binoculars: Bushnell 20x80s
FOV: 3.2 degrees
SkySafari predicted the ingress of Europa at 4:46:49 a.m. The Sky&Telescope online app says 09:44 UT, Europa enters eclipse by Jupiter's shadow. Because of DST I'm 5 hrs behind so that would be 4:44 CDT. Based on the previous night's problems seeing an occultation I'm not hoping for the best although seeing Europa disappear while a distance from Jupiter may be easier to see with certainty.
It was easier to do than I thought it would be. Wind and watery eyes made seeing Europa harder than though binoculars, but it was separated enough from Jupiter that the glare wasn't a problem.
My actual measured time for the ingress was: 4:49:22 p.m. CDT
As a side note, if I ever work on the Galileo T.O.E.S. program I won't be using binoculars...more magnification and looking down into an eyepiece rather than looking up is more comfortable!
Jupiter Opposition
2018/05/09 09:39 UT
Date observed: May 7, 2018
Time: 12:25 a.m. CDT
Location: Home (Chesterfield, MO)
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 3/10
Binoculars: Bushnell 20x80s
FOV: 3.2 degrees
SkySafari predicted the ingress at 12:36:00 a.m. I was ready and waiting in the driveway with binoculars, tripod, and stool at 12:25 a.m. Even ten minutes before the predicted time Io was difficult to see in Jupiter's glare looking like a small bump on the lower right side. By 12:30 a.m. I completely lost Io in the glare but it was before the actual time of ingress.
It was much easier to see Europa's eclipse at quadrature since it moved into Jupiter's shadow much further out from the planet.
5. 1610 – Orion’s Head Nebula: (done)
The objective is to show that there are more stars visible through a small telescope that there are with the naked eye. Observe and sketch the region at the head of Orion (the star is called Meissa or Lambda Orionis). You will note that what looks like 1 star naked eye is actually 3 bright stars and many lesser ones. Sketch what you see. Galileo was able to see 20 in a region about 2 degrees across.North is up in this sketch.
Date: March 2, 2018
Time: 7:08 p.m. CST
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 5/10
Binoculars: 7x50s
FOV: 6.6 degrees
One day after a full moon but before the moon was 5 degrees above the eastern horizon.
Drawn with MicroSoft Paint
6. Praesepe Nebula: (done)
The objective is to show that there are more stars visible through a small telescope than there are using just the eyes. Observe and sketch the area of M44 in Cancer. In a field of about 3.5 degrees, stretching from Asellus Australis to Ausellus Borealis Galileo was able to see 38 stars. North is up in this sketch.
Date: 3/12/2018
Time: 10:30 p.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 3/10
Binoculars: 7x50s
FOV: 6.6 degrees
Drawn with MicroSoft Paint
7. Pleiades Nebula: (done)
The objective is to show that there are more stars visible through a small telescope than there are using just the eyes. Observe and sketch the area of M45 in Taurus.
Date: 10/16/2017
Time: 8:45 pm CDT
Location: Whiteside CA
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 8/10
Binoculars: 7x50s
FOV: 6.6 degrees
8. July, 1610 – Saturn’s Ears: (done)
The objective is to show that Saturn does not appear as a perfect sphere. Observe and sketch Saturn. The sketch should show that Saturn is not a perfect sphere. The rings do not appear as rings at this power, but appear as ears on the planet.
Date: 8/29/2017
Time: 8:45 pm CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
Binoculars: 7x35, 11x80
FOV: 6.6, 4.4 degrees
9. December 1610 – Venus phases: (done)
The objective is to show that Venus has phases like the moon, that it changes in size dramatically, and that one cycle of the phases is rather long. Observe and sketch Venus monthly through at least a half cycle of phases. Since Venus is not visible when it is in the full or new phases, you can do this from the time it first appears in the morning or evening sky until the last time it is visible. Calculate the length of the cycle and be sure to capture the relative size of Venus.
Using Chesterfield, MO times for events below:
On January 4, 2018 the Sun (7:42:15 AM) and Venus (7:42:20 AM) rise at almost the same time so Venus is transitioning from the morning sky to evening sky. At a separation of 1o 17' from the Sun the 99+% illuminated Venus can not safely be see with binoculars.
To determine a good time to start the Venus activity I found that the Sun and Venus were the following angular distances apart on the dates:
Jan 15 1o 47'
Jan 20 2o 55'
Jan 25 4o 05’
Jan 30 5o 15'
Given the 3.3o field of my Bushnell 20x50 binoculars I picked February 1, 2018 as a safe starting date for Venus visibility.
NOTE:
I find it interesting that the Sunspot activity mentions safe viewing but no mention here with Venus when it is in close proximity to the Sun.
Date: See table
Time: See table
Location: Varies with date, see table
Binoculars: 20x50s
FOV: 3.3 degrees
I continued observing until the end of September 2018. I did try multiple times after September 28th, but always failed. Part of the problem is that I have no western horizon from my house so any observation required a drive.
Additional failed attempts:
Oct. 5, 2018 at Broemmelsiek Park--trees in the way blocking Venus viewing.
Oct. 10, 11, 12 at "the Point" overlook, Shenandoah NP--bad weather or clouds in the southwest prevented viewing.
By October 15th Venus was down to 5 % illumination and at sunset was at virtually the same altitude above the horizon as the sun.
On October 16, 2018 the Sun (6:03:23 PM) and Venus (6:04:00 PM) set at almost the same time so Venus is transition from the evening sky to morning sky. While the separation from the Sun (16 o 33’) isn’t an issue, the 4% illumination, equal altitude of the Sun, and Sun’s glare make finding Venus impossible.
10. May 1611 – Sunspots: (done)
The objective is to show that the sun is not perfect (has sunspots) and is rotating. Observe one large spot that completes one complete rotation of the sun. This requires observing the sun, using a proper and safe solar filter. Full-face sketches should be made about once per week. Sunspots measured should be fairly close to the solar equator and measurements should be done from meridian crossing to meridian crossing. What is the rotational period for the sun near its equator?
True confession time:
I was under the impression that active regions kept their assigned numbers. Fairly early on I started checking with SOHO at https://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/sunspots/ with the hope that a sunspot with a recognizable number would show up again. All through the winter and spring of 2017/2018 I religiously looked at the sky every Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. to see there was anything to sketch. If it was cloudy I'd check SOHO to see if any active regions were present and I'd look later in the day or week when it was clear. Along the way I switched to 20x binoculars with Seymour Solar filters to make the viewing easier.
As I continued I became more and more discouraged. We were still going down towards the minimum of the sunspot cycle and I expected to do this activity for years. Since you can't predict how long an active group will last I had to sketch (or at least consult SOHO) every week.
I continued until almost the end of May 2018 when I discovered quite by accident that active regions are renumbered if they make a second pass around the sun. I realized I needed to go back over my data to see if I had already captured an active group that had been renumbered. The only problem was that I didn't know how to find that information. I asked friends. I Googled. I found no answers. I decided to email the program's coordinator.
In reply I was told that I should "make the bold assumption that if you see a group at about the same solar latitude half a rotation period later coming around the opposite edge, it is likely the same AR."
I knew the rotation was about 26 days so I checked past SOHO images for the nine months I'd been tracking the sun.
Much to my surprise I discovered that my first month of observation produce three active regions that returned and I observed and sketched for eight more months than necessary. I would note that interesting words were said upon the discovery!
Observation information
Tilting Sun image to find north
Sketch
Unless otherwise noted
Location: Home (Chesterfield MO)
Binoculars: Lunt 6x30 solar binoculars
Magnification: 6xObservation #1
Observation #1
Date: 09/04/2017
Time: 12:10 pm CDT
Observation #2
Date: 09/08/2017
Time: 11:25 am CDT
A few days early for weekly observation but I wanted to get it before the big groups went away.
Observation #3
Date: 09/14/2017
TIme: 09:05 am CDT
Observation #4
Date: 9/21/2017
Time: 1:25 pm EDT
Parking lot off Skyline Drive in
Shenandoah NP
Observation #5
Date: 9/29/2017
Time: 11:38 a.m. CDT
Based on observations on 9/4 and 9/29 I'd say the solar rotation period is 26 days.
These are the SOHO images that show the three groups 25 days apart.
11. October, 1618 – Comets:
The objective is to show that the path of a comet is not a straight line through the sky. Make at least three observations of a comet and plot its progress among the stars. Although you will not do the calculations, this data is enough to show that the comet is not moving in a straight line through space.
Date: 9/3/2018
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: 11x80s
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
FOV: 4.4 degrees
12. February, 1619 – Neptune: (done)
Although Galileo observed Neptune, he did not recognize that it was anything other than another star. Observe Neptune and sketch what you see in your field of view.
Date: 9/14/2017
Time: 10:45 p.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Binoculars: 7x50 & 20x50
FOV: 6.6 & 3.3 degrees
13. 1619 – Aurora (Optional): (done)
Galileo coined the term Aurora Borealis for the Northern Lights. He was mistaken in that he thought it was sunlight reflecting off of the Earth’s Atmosphere. Observe and sketch either the Aurora Borealis or the Aurora Australis.
In the summer of 2013 I served as an AstroVIP for a month at Glacier National Park.
Date: 7/14/2013
Time: 12:15 a.m. MDT
Location: Apgar Transit Center parking lot in Glacier National Park during one of our nightly AstroVIP star parties @ latitude 48.5o N.
Seeing: 9/10
Transparency 9/10
A clearly visible thin greenish spike rose from above the tree line into Ursa Major’s “back” legs that persisted for five minutes. It caused quite a stir in the audience.
Aurora were frequent on the east side of the park in St. Marys Lake with the good view to the north. It was more difficult on the west side in Apgar Village due to the surrounding mountains and lodgepole pines to the north towards Lake McDonald.
A final note:
After a quick reading of the Galileo Program requirements one might think that it would be quick and easy. NOT SO!!! While some of the requirements might be, the two Jupiter moon activities, monthly Venus activity, comet activity, and sunspot activity offer true challenges. You will frequently mutter to yourself that you wish that you could switch to more power to bring out the detail.
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