To Infinity and Beyond!

By Aaron B. Clevenson, ALCor


"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot
of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
- Douglas Adams; A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

This month, in the 20th article in our Astronomical League Club certification series, we bring this series of articles to its only logical conclusion, a review of the Master Observer Club.

What do you give someone who has done it all (or at least 10 programs)? A Master Observer Certification!

Thanks for joining us on this long and convoluted journey. Send those logs to the Club’s AL Coordinator and get those certifications. If you have any questions, please ask them. If you need help, there is someone with the required expertise just waiting to help within our club. If you need equipment, check out the club’s loaner program.

This is actually the easiest certificate. There are NO observation requirements. Well, that is only a partial truth. You ARE required to have completed at least 10 certifications (the complete versions). So actually, you have done quite a bit of observing already. If you think you deserve a Master Observer certificate, then check out these requirements, and then check our club’s website. Follow the links to News/Astronomical League/Wall of Fame. If your name is in the chart, and you have the required certifications, then you do nothing. The AL Coordinator will take care of it all. If you have earned a certification that is not shown on the website, let the ALCor know about it, and we will rectify the situation.

The requirements are simple. You must complete these five certifications: Messier Club, Binocular Messier Club, Lunar Club, Double Star Club, and the Herschel Club. In addition to these, you need to have completed 5 additional programs, but you can choose any five of your liking. Remember though, you must do the complete certifications, not the partials. For Messier - it is all 110 objects, for Meteors – it is all 36 hours.

Achieving the Master Observer Certification is a symbol of your hard work, diverse pursuits, and tenacity. It is the greatest observation award that you can get from the Astronomical League, and we want to present it to you, and to welcome you to the club. Good luck.

These articles are all available on the club’s website. To review a program before you start it, or to check out one you may have missed follow the links through News/Astronomical League/AL Monthly Column. Happy Observing.