John Wagoner is one of the best known binocular observers in the country.
Not only is he familiar with the skies of both the Northern and Southern
Hemispheres, but he has created some of the most popular binocular observing
programs available. And he is also the observing coordinator for the
internationally known Texas Star Party, the premier dark-sky observing event for
amateur astronomers in North America.
If you are going to the 2005 Texas Star Party, and want a head start on the binocular and telescope observing
programs, here is your chance. Just download the programs here in PDF format. You will still need to observe all of the objects at this year's Texas Star Party,
but downloading the files now will allow you to plan your observing sessions ahead of time.
TSP
2004 Observing
Programs
PDF File Name
TSP 2005 Telescope Observing
Program - Eye on the Sky & Bright Sky
"Eye on the Sky" and
"Bright Sky"
Observing Programs
Welcome to the Texas Star Party's Telescope Observing Club. The
purpose of this club is not to test your observing skills by throwing the
toughest objects at you that are hard to see under any conditions, but to give
you an opportunity to observe 25 showcase objects under the ideal conditions of
these pristine West Texas skies, thus displaying them to their best advantage.
This year we are going to get a little wild and wooly. If you
thought you can observe all night and sleep all day, you are wrong. This year we
will be observing 24/7. That’s right, Clayton Jeter of the Houston Astronomical
Society has provided us with a daytime observing program. It is called the
Bright Sky Observing Program and details are below. The regular observing
program is “Eye in the Sky”. This program is a mixture of all the things
that you have requested in an observing program. Brad Schaefer of Austin, Tx.
wanted Naked Eye objects while Barbara Wilson of Houston, Tx. suggested
Reflection Nebula. Someone else wanted Dark Nebula while still another idea was
to bring back those pesky planetaries. To this end, I have listed ten Naked Eye
objects. They are marked with an “NE” next to the catalog number. If for some
reason your tired old eyes just can’t pull them out, then you may use
binoculars. Also, if you have trouble with any object on the list, make an
effort and then go to the next one. I will give you credit for it.
"Starlight, Star Bright"
Finally, last year’s program “Starlight, Starbright” is
available for those that were not able to do it. So, just observe the 25 objects
on either list.
That's it. Any size telescope can be used. All observations must
be made at the Texas Star Party to qualify. All objects are within range of
small (6”) to medium sized (10”) telescopes, and are available for observation
between 10:00PM and 3:00AM any time during the TSP. Each person completing this
list will receive an official Texas Star Party Telescope Observing Club lapel
pin.
These pins are not sold at the TSP and can only be acquired by
completing the program, so wear them proudly.
To receive your pin, turn in your observations to John
Wagoner - TSP Observing Chairman any time during the Texas Star Party. I
will be at the outside door leading into the TSP Meeting Hall each day between
1:00 PM and 2:30 PM. If you finish the list the last night of TSP, or I am not
available to give you your pin, just mail your observations to me at 1409
Sequoia Dr., Plano, TX 75023, and I will see that you get a pin.
Good luck and good observing. Now, let's get out there and
observe!!!
The TSP Binocular Observing Club
Welcome to the Texas Star Party's Binocular Observing Club. The
purpose of this club is not to test your observing skills by throwing the
toughest objects at you that are hard to see under any conditions, but to give
you an opportunity to observe 25 showcase objects under the ideal conditions of
these pristine West Texas skies, thus displaying them to their best advantage.
The rules are simple. Just observe any 25 objects listed below,
and log those observations in the spaces provided. That's it.
Any size binoculars can be used. All observations must be made
at the Texas Star Party to qualify. For a Southern Skies challenge, observe
those objects marked with an "S". For an easy list, observe those objects marked
with an "E". For a tougher list, observe those objects marked with an "H". But
remember, a total of 25 of 50 objects must be observed, and you can mix and
match lists.
All objects are within range of small to medium sized
binoculars, and are available for observation between 10:00PM and 4:00AM any
time during the TSP. All objects are listed in Right Ascension order so that you
can observe them before they set in the West, or as they rise in the East.
Each person completing this list will receive an official Texas
Star Party Binocular Observing Club lapel pin. These pins are not sold at the
TSP and can only be acquired by completing the program, so wear them proudly.
All objects were tested at Ft. Davis, so you should not have trouble with any of
them. To receive your pin, turn in you observations to John Wagoner - TSP
Observing Chairman any time during the Texas Star Party. I will be at
the outside door leading into the TSP Meeting Hall each day between 1:00 PM and
2:30 PM. If you finish the list the last night of TSP, and I am not available to
give you your pin, just mail your observations to me at 1409 Sequoia Dr., Plano,
TX 75023, and I will see that you get a pin.
We have added two new binocular programs to the TSP agenda. The
first is a challenge program of 25 objects meant for 50MM or larger binoculars.
The second is the “Texas Star Party Binocular Program from Hell”. This second
program is a difficult program of 25 objects for 50MM and larger binoculars, and
for the advanced binocular observer. The same rules as listed above apply to
these two new programs. The Challenge Program will have its own lapel pin, while
the Binocular Program from Hell will have a special gift from John Wagoner.
Now, let's get out there and observe!!!
John Wagoner,
TSP Observing Chairman
The Southwest Region of the Astronomical League is made up
of 28 member societies of the Astronomical League in the states of
Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Join the AAAA's
SWRAL Newsgroup
Hosted by Yahoo Groups and the American Association
of Amateur Astronomers
The purpose of the SWRAL Yahoo! Newsgroup, hosted by the American
Association of Amateur Astronomers, is to create a forum where
members of SWRAL clubs can share ideas and experiences, and just get
to know each other. If you belong to one of the member societies of the Southwest Region of the Astronomical League,
or just want to know more about what is going on in this part of the
Astronomical League, please
join us as we share ideas about our region and what we can do to
encourage more communication between clubs.
Developed by TSP Observing Chairman John Wagoner, these observing programs are provided here in PDF format by the American
Association of Amateur Astronomers at no charge, as a service to members of the AAAA,
the Texas Star Party, the Southwest Region of the Astronomical League, and the astronomical community at large.
Click HERE
for TSP 2004 Observing Programs
Click HERE
for TSP 2003 Observing Programs
Click HERE
for TSP 2001 Observing Programs
Click HERE
for TSP 2000 Observing Programs
Click HERE
for TSP 1999 Observing Programs
Use Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 3.02 to access the Portable Document File for the observing program of your
choice.
The PDF files were created using Adobe Acrobat Exchange Version 3.0. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader
Version 3.0 or higher to read these files in your web browser. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a plug-in that works with
both Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer browser software. If you have an older version of Adobe Acrobat Reader,
or need to download this FREE software, click here
now.
The Texas Star Party is the Annual Convention of the
Southwest Region of the Astronomical League,
sponsored by SWRAL and hosted by TSP, Inc.
Click HERE
to Read Our Report on TSP 2003
Click HERE
to Read Our Report on TSP 2002
Click HERE
to Read Our Report on TSP 2001
Click HERE
for TSP 2003 Observing Programs
Click HERE
for TSP 2001 Observing Programs
Click HERE
for TSP 2000 Observing Programs
Click HERE
for TSP 1999 Observing Programs
