The Astronomical League’s Solar System Observing Program offers an exciting opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts. Tailored to enhance observational skills and the enjoyment of stargazing, the program caters to amateur astronomers with a focus on planetary observation. The program’s adaptable structure accommodates varying skill levels and encourages the utilization of diverse observational tools.
Project Links
- Sun and Moon Projects
- Inner Solar System Projects
- Outer Solar System Projects
- Solar System Observing Program Glossary and Reference
Sun and Moon Project Checklist
| Projects | Tasks | Completion |
|---|---|---|
| SUN: Sunset OR Sunrise Azimuth | 1. Record azimuth once a week for 4 weeks in spring or fall 2. Record azimuth once a week for 6-8 weeks in summer or winter 3. Observation data 4. Question: In which season is the azimuth change most noticeable? | |
| SUN: Solar Eclipse (partial or total) | 1. Observation data 2. Eclipse phase times (start of partial and total, end of total and partial) 3. Sketch at maximum eclipse, note the time | X |
| SUN: Sunspots | 1. Observation data 2. Sketch (full disk) showing at least one sunspot | X |
| MOON: Maria | 1. Observation data 2. Question: What evidence do you see that maria are not water? | |
| MOON: Highlands | 1. Observation data 2. Question: Which appears to be older, the maria or the highlands? Why? | |
| MOON: Crater Ages | 1. Observation data 2. Question: Which crater appears older, Theophilus or Cyrillus? Why? | |
| MOON: Scarps | 1. Observation data 2. Estimate the length of the Straight Wall (Rupes Recta) | |
| MOON: Occultations | 1. Observation data 2. Identity of star or planet occulted 3. Times (UT) of disappearance AND reappearance | – |
| MOON: Lunar Eclipse | 1. Observation data 2. Time of start and end of each phase (penumbral, umbral, total) 3. If a total eclipse, give the Danjon Scale estimate at mid-eclipse (L1-L4) | X |
Inner Solar System Project Checklist
| Projects | Tasks | Completion |
|---|---|---|
| MERCURY: Location | 1. Observation data 2. Altitude and azimuth | |
| VENUS: Low Power Crescent | 1. Observation data (must be a binocular observation) | |
| VENUS: Daytime Observation | 1. Observation data (must be a daytime observation) | |
| VENUS: Phases | 1. Observation data 2. Sketches (8) showing weekly phase changes over 2 months | |
| MARS: Albedo Features | 1. Observation data 2. Sketch | – |
| MARS: Retrograde Motion | 1. Observation data (naked-eye acceptable) 2. Plot Mars on a chart (minimum weekly from 1 month before to 1 month after opposition | |
| CERES: Locating | 1. Observation data 2. Sketch starfield showing Ceres | |
| ASTEROIDS: Course Plotting | 1. Identity of asteroid 2. Observation data (3 to 5 observations) 3. Plot asteroid positions on a star chart | |
| ASTEROIDS: Measuring movement | 1. Using your plot (see above), estimate the average hourly movement of the asteroid | |
| COMET: Observing | 1. Observation data 2. Sketch (If the comet is star-like, provide 2 sketches on different nights) | X |
Outer Solar System Project Checklist
| Projects | Tasks | Completion |
|---|---|---|
| JUPITER: Great Red Spot | 1. Observation data 2. Three timings (leading edge, middle, trailing edge of GRS on meridian) | – |
| JUPITER: Galilean Satellites | 1. Observation data 2. Sketches (6) on different nights (successive, if possible) identifying moons | |
| JUPITER: Satellite Discovery | 1. Observation Data (must be a binocular observation) 2. Describe the view of satellites (sketch optional) | |
| JUPITER: Cloud Belts | 1. Observation data 2. Sketch (mark celestial north, east, or west) | X |
| JUPITER: Satellite Shadow Transits | 1. Observation data 2. Identity of satellite casting the shadow | X |
| JUPITER: Satellite Transits | 1. Observation data 2. Identity of satellite 3. Times of transit start AND transit end | |
| JUPITER: Satellite Eclipses | 1. Observation data 2. Identity of satellite 3. Time of disappearance OR reappearance | |
| JUPITER: Satellite Occultations | 1. Observation data 2. Identity of satellite 3. Time of disappearance OR reappearance | |
| SATURN: Rings | 1. Observation data 2. Sketch | X |
| SATURN: Cassini Division | 1. Observation data 2. Describe the view of the Cassini Division | X |
| SATURN: Disk Markings | 1. Observation data 2. Question: Which hemisphere is darker: north or south? (sketch optional) | X |
| SATURN: Satellites | 1. Observation data 2. Identity of the satellites observed (sketch optional) | X |
| URANUS: Locating | 1. Observation data 2. Describe the view of Uranus (sketch optional) | X |
| NEPTUNE: Locating | 1. Observation data 2. Describe the view of Neptune (sketch optional) | |
| PLUTO: Locating | 1. Observation data 2. Describe the view of Pluto (sketch optional) |