Steve Conard4 December 2010
Astronomical League (AL)www.astroleague.org An association of ~240 astronomical societies
from across the USABasic goal is to encourage interest in
astronomy throughout AmericaHave a yearly convention, quarterly
newsletter
AL Observing ClubsThe AL sponsors ~34 observing clubsMembership in these clubs is earned by
achieving required observing goalsMembership requirements listed on AL website
and/or a pamphlet Each club has a chair who determines if
membership requirements have been metTypically, documentation of observing requirements
is required to be sent to either the member’s local society’s observing chair or the club chair for verification
Members receive a certificate and a pin when they meet all requirements
Current ClubsAs the available have increased over the
years, many of the newer clubs have become more specialized
Examples includeDark nebulaDark sky advocateFlat galaxiesEarth orbiting satellite
Possible AL Occultation Club?Aaron Clevenson is one of the two National
Observing Programs CoordinatorsHe is also occasionally on the IOTA yahoo
groupI contacted him, with David’s OK, to inquire if
they would be open to receiving a proposal for an occultation clubAaron said they would be interested in seeing a
proposal for such a club
Why Pursue an AL Club for Occultations?Increase visibility of our science to other
amateursGenerate new IOTA members as AL members
work toward the requirements of this observing club
Note that AAVSO has done this with their involvement in the AL Variable Star Club
Steps to Start ClubDevelop list of requirementsFill out Observing Club Proposal formDevelop a manual if necessary
Current IOTA manual?Work with AL Observing Program CoordinatorCreate content for AL websiteSubmit complete proposal at least one month
before annual conventionNeed to have a proposed chair for the club
Strawman Observing RequirementsHave both a visual and an instrumented variation in
requirements Do own predictions with Occult or other software?
Total lunar occultation timing Include some double stars? Mix of D’s and R’s
Grazing lunar occultations Must file reports to IOTA Have several with multiple D/R’s Compare to known lunar profile?
Asteroid occultations Don’t require any positives, but must submit a number of
“meaningful miss” reports to IOTA? Require that if video is used, at least some observation
attempt be via prepoint?
Should We Proceed With This?Do we want to pursue this?If yes, who should lead the effort
I am willing to, but there are more senior IOTA members who are more qualified
Proposal, as it is being developed, should be made available to interested IOTA members for their input, and IOTA officers should approve the final submission
Timing?Do we want to shoot for submission this
year?ALCon 2011 starts in late June (Bryce Canyon
NP)Submission would need to be complete in
mid/late MayAL encourages those submitting proposals to
attend to present their proposal in person
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