UACNJ
Asteroid Certificate
Program
Sponsored by Andrew Salthouse
New Jersey Astronomical Association
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Mr. Salthouse has reviewed his own observations to
produce the lists used in these challenging asteroid observation projects.
He has only included asteroids which he personally has observed
at multiple oppositions and his personal
magnitude estimates form the basis for the lists.
At the time of this writing, Mr. Salthouse has personally observed about 950 asteroids.
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The Asteroid Certificate Program consists of three challenges for which,
when completed, each will result in an observing certificate issued by the UACNJ.
This program is open to amateur observers from clubs who are UACNJ members.
This certificate may not be done as a team, i.e. only one person per certificate.
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Certificate I - Novice Challenge
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The first certificate is designed for the novice asteroid hunter and
challenges the observer to view and document 10 objects from
list A,
which contains 40 asteroids that consistently appear brighter than magnitude 11.
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Certificate II - Intermediate Challenge
Certificate II is for the intermediate asteroid observer.
List B
is comprised of 60 asteroids which appear consistently between magnitude
11 and 12.5. The candidate must Observe at least 20 objects from list A,
and at least 10 objects from list B.
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Certificate III - Advanced Challenge
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This challenge is directed towards the advanced observer. It requires
that 60 asteroids be observed which are consistently dimmer than magnitude
12.5. The candidate must observe at least 20 objects from each of the three
lists A, B and C, and observe at least 10 of these at more than one opposition.
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Documentation
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Proof of an observation consists of a drawing showing two or more locations
of the asteroid relative to nearby field stars, made either at two different
times on the same night or on two different nights. Observations must be
visual (no photographs or CCDs). Note: Documentation, when sent in, should be copies
only. Please do NOT send in your original data since the copies received will go on file
at the UACNJ Observatory.
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Observing Notes
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Typically, observers will find the first few objects to be difficult
until they work out a process and method that works for
them. Good charts will be required. The three challenges will require apertures
of at least 4", 6", and 10", respectively. The advanced
challenge will probably take at least 18 months, but the other two could
be completed in about 6 months each.
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Observers will require both detailed sky charts and minor planet ephemerides.
A good sky chart useful for asteroid hunting is typically about one inch
per degree of sky, and should include stars to at least mag 13 (for list
C). An ephemeris includes the RA and Dec for a given ephoch (usually 2000)
and the visual magnitude, typically at 5 or 10 day intervals. Fast moving
asteroids (ie, near Earth asteroids or NEAs) should be at 1 day intervals.
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Useful Resources:
The first thing the observer needs to do,
after deciding which categories to go for, is to get the ephemerides and
charts, since they have not been provided here.
Following are some sources:
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- Observer's Handbook (annual), Royal Astronomical Society of Canada,
lists ephemerides (no charts) for the brightest asteroids, and therefore
is only good for beginners. This is only a small section of the book.
- Minor Planet Observer (monthly), by BDW publishing, Colorado, provides
both detailed charts and ephemerides for about 20 asteroids per month.
$15/year, a must-have for asteroid observers beyond beginner.
- MPO CDROM (annual), by BDW publishing, Colorado, provides both detailed
charts and ephemerides for over 5000 asteroids per year. $25, a must-have
for serious asteroid observers.
- IAU: Minor Planet Center WEB Page
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/ps/lists/MPLists.html -
Ephemerides for Bright Minor Planets:
provides ephemerides for asteroids reaching opposition
in the current year for all numbered minor planets reaching V = 11.0 or brighter
at opposition.
- List of Next Oppositions
Don't forget the
List of Next Oppositions from List "A", that accompanies this
document which will help you with
the first certificate challenge.
Reporting Your Results
Completed observation documentation should be sent to:
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UACNJ Asteroid Certificates
Andrew J. Salthouse
560 Heritage Road
Millington, NJ 07946
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Note: When reporting your results, please do NOT send in your original data.
All copies received will be placed on file at the UACNJ Observatory.
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