The 400 objects in this program consist of 323
galaxies, 41 open clusters, 21 nebulae, 9 planetary nebula, 3
cluster-nebula, and 3 globular clusters. Most of the objects are between
magnitude 11 and 13. In the data gathering phase of the project,
approximately 80% of the objects on the list were observed with scopes
between 8" and 13" aperture. One of the initial hopes for this
program was that it could be completed using a scope of 8"
aperture. While an 8" aperture scope under good dark skies will be
able to do a good portion of the list, a 10" aperture scope or
larger will probably be needed to complete the whole program. Since many
of the objects are in fields containing numerous other objects, some
even superimposed on top of each other, identifying the correct object
under these circumstances is a major challenge.
A NOTE ABOUT NAVIGATING
By the time observers undertake a
project of this depth, they are quite familiar with the sky, along with
locating very faint objects. Technology has added many wonderful options
for amateur astronomers today, and we will be seeing even more to come.
At this point, observers have probably experiment with different types
of equipment and developed a preference. This program honors those
preferences and is meant to accommodate the equipment and direction that
observers have chosen. To that end, the Herschel II program leaves the
choice of how to navigate to the object totally up to the observer,
whether it be star hopping, geometric placing, stellar off-setting,
right-angle sweeping, setting circle methods, or computerized locating
programs. With this same advancement of technology, the observation of
an object also takes on different forms -- from viewing through the
scope and standard eyepieces to viewing the object on a screen with CCD
imaging. The Herschel II program leaves the choice of how to observe the
object up to the observer as well. Accordingly, the certificate issued
will include an alpha-numeric designation that will indicate
"M" for a manual search or "DA" for a device-aided
search. Specific definitions of manual and device-aided are attached.
THE MANUAL
The
Herschel II Program Manual is available
for $18 (plus postage) through the
Astronomical League Observing Program. The focus of the Herschel II is the
taking of thorough field notes and developing them into complete,
technically accurate, object descriptions. To support that goal, the
manual includes recommendations, guidelines, technical information,
examples, and sample forms to aid the observer in developing this skill.
Besides descriptions of the 400 objects, it includes a planning guide
and an index, a field reference section, and a skills challenge section.
CRITERIA FOR CERTIFICATION
You must be a member of the Astronomical
League, either through membership in an affiliated astronomical society
or as a Member-at-Large.
- Observe the 400 objects listed in this
manual and record your observations.
- Develop object descriptions that will
include at a minimum:
- Date
- Time
- Site
- Seeing
- Transparency
- Instrument
- Eyepiece
- Object descriptions of the 400 objects in your own words.
Complete an index of observations in NGC order
showing the page number of your descriptions next to the NGC numbers on
the list.
Fill out the "Submittal Form, found in the
guide in total and send it in with your
descriptions and index.
CONTACTS
Email: Carol Huston or
Candace Pratt
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This labor of love was not a simple one, and
many have worked to varying degrees to see its completion. Some people
performed more than one task and have contributed to the hobby of
amateur astronomy. Although William Hershel deserves the primary credit
for his labors to bring these objects within easy reach, the people
listed below and on the credits page worked long hours, by day and
night, to bring this subset of Herschel's work to you.
