Lunar Observation Club Offered by the Astronomical League Prepared for AOAS By: Leonard Lynch

League Club Introduction The Astronomical League provides many different observing programs (clubs). These programs are designed to provide a direction for observations and to provide a goal to Amateur Astronomers. The programs have certificates and pins to recognize the observers’ accomplishments and for demonstrating their observing skills with a variety of instruments and objects. The following is a complete list of AL Observing Clubs.

A.L. Observing Clubs Arp Peculiar Galaxy Club Asteroid Observing Club Binocular Messier Club Caldwell Club Comet Observers Club Constellation Hunter Club Deep Sky Binocular Club Double Star Club Earth Orbit Satellite Observing Club Galaxy Groups & Clusters Club Galileo Club Globular Cluster Club Herschel 400 Club Herschel II Club Local Galaxy Group Lunar Club Lunar II Club Master Observer Club Messier Club Meteor Club Open Cluster Club Outreach Club Planetary Nebula Club Planetary Observers Club Sky Puppy Club Southern Skies Binocular Club Southern Sky Telescopic Club Sunspotters Club Universe Sampler Club Urban Observing Club For more information on individual Observing Clubs, go to: http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/AlphabeticObservingClubs.html

Lunar Observation Club The Lunar Club introduces amateur astronomers to that object in the sky that most of us take for granted, and which deep sky observers have come to loathe. But even though deep sky observers search for dark skies (when the moon is down), this program gives them something to do when the moon is up. In other words, it gives us something to observe the rest of the month, and we all know that the sky is always clear when the moon is up. You will require a fairly accurate Moon Map and may be purchased or downloaded from the Internet. The Lunar Club also allows amateurs in heavily light polluted areas to participate in an observing program of their own. This program is well suited for the young, inexperienced observer as well as the older observer just getting into our hobby since no special observing skills are required. It is well balanced because it develops naked eye, binocular, and telescopic observing skills. Finally, the Lunar Club was created as a project that can easily be done by schools and school children, especially those in the inner city.

Rules and Regulations To qualify for the AL's Lunar Club Certificate and pin, you need only be a member of the Astronomical League, either through an affiliated club or as a Member-at-Large, and observe 100 features on the moon. These 100 features are broken down into three groups: 18 naked eye, 46 binocular, and 36 telescopic features. Any pair of binoculars and any telescope may be used for this program. As a matter of fact, to prove that the Lunar Club could be done with small apertures, members of AL used 7x35 binoculars and a 60mm refractor to complete the list. So, as you can see, this program does not require expensive equipment. Also, if you have problems with observing the features at one level, you may go up to the next higher level. In other words, if you have trouble with any of the naked eye objects, you may jump up to binoculars. If you have trouble with any of the binocular objects, then you may move up to a telescope. But if you have trouble with any of the telescopic objects, you are on your own.

Continued: Before moving up to the next higher level, please try to get as many objects as you can with the instrument required at that level. Finally, when using binoculars, it is recommend that you tripod mount them for stability. The AL has made it as simple as possible to log your observations. Just list the instruments that you used at the top of the Lunar Club Observation Log, check off the features as you observe them in the "CHK" column, and then list the date and time you observed the feature in the columns on the right-hand side of pages 2 and 3. That is all there is to it. The Lunar Club observation Log can be downloaded at: http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/lunar/lunar2.html The complete log is a handout that you may have received at the start of this presentation.

Continued: For those of you that still may have some trouble observing the 100 original features of the program, included are 10 optional activities on page 4 of the AL Website Log. Each one activity counts as two of the observations on pages 2 and 3, and may be substituted for those observations. A Certificate and Award Pin will be awarded to individuals completing the program. To receive your Lunar Club Certificate and Award Pin, if you are a member of AOAS, send your completed Observation Log Sheets to David Grosvold, our Astronomy League Awards Coordinator. If you are not a member of AOAS, send your completed observation log along with your name, address, phone number, and club affiliation to: Stephen A. Nathan A. L. Lunar Club Coordinator 45 Brewster Road West Springfield, Ma. 01089

Your next step may be going for the Lunar II Club Award. Continued: Your next step may be going for the Lunar II Club Award. Lunar II Club goals include stimulating and maintaining a continued interest in lunar observing. This new program will also require participants to make at least 100 observations of the Moon. It is designed to help members improve their observing skills and expand their knowledge of the visible lunar surface. It is similar in some ways to the Messier Club, and it requires participants to go farther than the Lunar Club had before. For example, prominent features like the Sea of Crises and Tycho Crater will be revisited, observing them in greater detail and/or in varied sun-lighting. New targets, such as the Cordillera Mountains have been added. Some observations will be relatively easy, and others will be more challenging and require greater observing skill. To see the Lunar II Award requirements, go to: http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/lunarII/lunarII1.html