Practical Astronomy for All Ages

CASAC

• 193 objects total. On the CASAC worksheet, for southern hemisphere viewing.
• The default list is arranged by constellation.
• Some errata, additional notes, additional objects and previous updates, objected listed by Messier, NGC(New Galactic Catalogue number) and or IC( Index Catalogue).
• inculdes Size ( in arcmin' and arcsec"), R.A and Dec for all objects, and also surface brighness magnitude for galaxies, planetary nebulas and globulars.
• This update also includes a Constellation worksheet, listing all 88 constellations, Best viewing month/s, Culmination dates (when its at it highest point in sky), and Circumpolar information.
• All information on CASAC may be easily arranged, and or sorted from the worksheet lists to suit.

18-7-10 CAS Astronomical Catalogue (CASAC) Zip (Excel workbook, 45KB)

Observing Log template Zip (Word, 8KB)

2010 Meetings Topics

• Fitting your interests to your instrument
• Understanding aspects of different types of telescopes and why you need one of each, (at least) ;-)

• Library Thing
  • Geoff will be giving us a short introduction to Library Thing, the online catalogue of the CAS Library.
• CAS Observing List
  • We've finally written it down!
  • We will have a discussion about the observing list, including:
    • objects on the list
    • your observing log
    • seeing conditions
    • ranking difficulty
    • additions to the list
    • alterations to information on the list

The CAS Catalogue on Library Thing

The CAS Observing List (updated May 2010):

• PDF Format (71KB)
• PDF Format for Goto observing (87KB)
• Zip'd Excel workbook (96KB)

• A quick recap on the year so far - how are people liking their hobby of Astronomy?
• Observing our nearest star 'The Sun'
  • we will have a discussion on why we observe the sun - for fun vs science
  • equipment required and safety precautions.

Solar Observations Throughout History (PDF, 49KB)

• The CAS Astronomical Catalogue (CASAC) observational list
• We will talk about the objects listed, and what you can expect from the list.
• The full list now contains 150+ objects of interest to us southern viewers, should be something for everyone and all scope sizes, with a mixture of easy to challenging objects.
• Specifically we will try to make mention of
  • Visual vs Photographic objects.
  • Filter use OIII, UHC.
  • Magnitude, and magnitudes limiting factors such as air mass, seeing conditions, surface brightness and scope aperture.
  • Future suggestions and alteration to the list

CASAC list as of 13/6/2010

CASAC Zip'd Excel workbook (32KB)

Observing Log template Zip (Word, 8KB)

• The CAS Astronomical Catalogue (CASAC) observational list
• Continued disscussion about the objects listed, and what you can expect from the list.
• The full list now contains 177 objects of interest to us southern viewers, should be something for everyone and all scope sizes, with a mixture of easy to challenging objects.

2009 Meetings Summary

• Telescopes
• Constellations:
  • Gemini
  • Cancer
  • Carina
  • Eridanus
• Questions from the attendees

• Star Charts and how to read them
• The types of objects amateur astronomers observe
• Questions from the attendees

• Binoculars
  • What to look for when choosing a pair of binoculars for astronomical use
• Questions from the attendees

• Open discussion
• Questions from the attendees

• Objects of the Night Sky, An Urban Approach
  • Attendees are encouraged to bring along their tales of trials and accomplishments while observing in the back yard. With our busy lives these days, back yard astronomy is sometimes the only way to get our photon fix. In this month's Practical Astronomy session we will talk about how you can make the most out of urban observing and what objects you can expect to see and what objects you can't. Most are surprised at how much can be seen through even small telescope from the backyard.
  • We would also be interested in seeing astronomical photos that people have attempted from home.
• Questions from the attendees

• Catalogues and Observing Lists
  • IC, NGC, Messier, Caldwell, Barnard and a myriad other observing lists and catalogues are out there for astronomers to use. In this month's Practical Astronomy session we will be discussing the origins of these catalogues and lists and why amateur astronomers use them.
  • If we have time we will introduce the first of many projects that the Practical Astronomy group can discuss and develop (hint: think about that favourite astronomical object you like observing, photographing, researching or just find intriguing in some astronomical way).
• Questions from the attendees

• CAS astronomical catalogue
  
  Following on from last month's talk on astronomical catalogues, this month we are going to start on the CAS catalogue of astronomical objects. By the end of the evening's session we hope to have a starting list of around ten objects. Bring along your suggestions, or just come along to join in the discussion (it could get rather lively).
  
  Related questions you might like to consider for the evening...
  
  
  • What should the CAS catalogue be called (and how should objects be identified), possible suggestions: CAS Astronomical Catalogue (CASAC), or maybe CAS CAtalogue (CASCA).
  • How large should the catalogue be? Should we limit it to or aim for 109 objects in the spirit of Messier and Caldwell, or should we just keep adding to it?

• The CAS Observing List (continued from September's meeting).
  • A discussion about objects that we all find interesting in some way shape or form.
  • Participants will be encouraged to talk about the objects that they find most interesting and why.
  • Pictures and books for illustrations are most welcome.

As this is the last Practical Astronomy evening for the year we will make the challenge to the membership to observe these objects and make log entries over the coming year (we may even ask those willing bodies to submit their log entries to CASMAG).

We will have continued discussion over the objects in this list. And remember it's not only an observing list, let's get some photographic and research targets in there as well.

This list will set the foundation to next year's Practical Astronomy evenings. Topics to look forward to:

• How do you write an observing log entry?
• Seeing conditions - how can you tell if it's worth setting your scope up and how do we rate seeing conditions using a uniform method?
• Basic astrophotography - using the Society's equipment to get some stunning pictures easily.