The Royal Astronomical Association of Canada offers a variety of Observing Certificates:
Draw Like Galileo - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009 - SPECIAL PROJECT
When Galileo Galilei first trained his telecope toward the heavens, he didn't have any CCD cameras - indeed, no cameras of any kind - to document his spectacular new discoveries. Galileo worked with pen and paper, making the very first sketches of the Moon, the moons of Jupiter, and the phases of Venus.
To celebrate the International Year of Astronomy 2009, which marks Galileo’s discoveries 400 years ago,
we invite you to do like Galileo: gaze at the night sky and sketch what you see.
Sketch your observations made with the naked eye, with your binoculars, or with your telescope.
Then send us a copy!
We’ll exhibit your drawings on-line on our website.
Please send scans to: iya2009@rascmontreal.org or mail a copy of your sketch to
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Montreal Centre, PO Box 1155, Station B, Montreal QC H3B 1K9
Download the Draw Like Galileo Log Sheet (pdf file)
The RASC Montreal Centre Family Programme Click here to read the introduction to our kid's programme Become a Sky Wizard and Master the Universe by RASC Montreal Centre president Andrew Fazekas. For general information about our Family Programme, click here to download the Sky Wizard brochure (pdf format, 2.2Mb) |
|
The Binocular Challenge
Developed by Marc Ricard of our Montreal Centre, you only need a pair of binoculars
to observe the list of deep-sky objects and double stars in this challenge.
An ideal project for beginners!
Click here to browse the Binocular Challenge on-line.
Explore the Universe
To earn this certificate, participants are required to observe a variety of
celestial objects such as the planets, double and multiple stars, variable
stars, the moon, and some deep-sky objects. This certificate is ideal for
those beginning to observe the night sky.
The Messier Challenge
As the name suggests, participants are required to observe a list of Messier
objects. To master this challenge, you will need a medium-sized telescope.
As a point of interest, it was Montreal Centre member Isabel K. Williamson
who "invented" this challenge, which has now been taken up by astronomy
clubs all over the world.
The NGC Finest Challenge
This observing certificate is a challenge for experienced observers. You'll
need a big telescope and a lot of perserverance to spot all NGC objects on
this list!
The Isabel K. Williamson
Lunar Observing Challenge
In honour of one of the Montreal Centre's most famous members, this Lunar
observing challenge is named after Isabel K. Williamson. Requiring only a
small to mid-sized telescope, this comprehensive observing challenge is still
quite demanding. Montreal Centre members may join the IKW Lunar Observing Group. If you are a member, check out more info in the Members Only section of this website.
For information on how to obtain the observing
certificate booklets, please get in touch with us at the Montreal Centre at
stardust@bettinaforget.com,
or link to the RASC national website at www.rasc.ca
