The Awards SIG (Special Interest Group) is designed to recognize those members who have successfully observed the required objects for the various certificates.

To be awarded a JSCAS Award Certificate, submit your observing log in person to David Haviland or Chris Randall or Jim Wessel. You will need to submit the following:

1. Your name as you wish it to appear on the certificate
2. The date of the last item observed
3. A copy or the original log of your observations.
The log will not be kept by the club and will be returned to you.

To encourage you to observe and reward you for observing! PERIOD!

RULES:

1. While JSCAS has no dues or by-laws, and no funds, the club is not part of the Astronomical League. As such, the certificates awarded by JSCAS only have merit within JSCAS. Certificates are *intended* for JSCAS members in good standing and by that the intent is for people that have been active and participating with the club longer than SIX months and you are recognized by the current general membership. IF you desire an internationally recognized observing certificate, it is suggested that you become a "Member at Large" with the Astronomy League or have a dual membership in HAS, FBAC, or NHAC which are part of the Astronomical League. The easiest certificates to earn through the AL are likely the Lunar and Binocular 50.

2. Observe the required objects for the certificate, Messier (70/110/Master), Herschel 200, NGC 100, Arp 100, Palomar Globular, Grand Tour Solar System, Explore the Universe (RASC ), Fort McKavett Challenge, and any other special certificates.

3. Log the required observation of the required objects. "Log" is defined as follows: you have successfully 'logged' the item if the awards chairman feels you did in fact look for and observe the object. Reference the objective of the program. The minimum log would have a list of the objects followed by the date you observed the object. If you want further kudos (and enjoyment) from your efforts, add drawings, scope and eyepiece used, seeing condition notes, and additional comments. These extra items are strongly encouraged and will be acknowledged but are not required. To obtain the Master Certificates, you MUST include drawings (or photos), dates and times of the observation. So if you have completed the requirements for a certificate, get out your old logbooks and get the certificate. That is, certificates are retroactive, and all members (past, present, and future) will be awarded for their accomplishments!

To view a list of Certificate Recipients, click here.

Awards Programs:

• Messier Basic Certificate - Observe and log any 70 Messier objects - Observe and log any 70 Messier objects from the total 110 objects that Charles Messier found and cataloged back in the 1770's. This log can include drawings, photos, as well as dates and times, but remember, if you are working towards a Master Certificate, you will also need to be documenting each object you observe anyway. Your report must also contain photos and description of the equipment used in making the observations.This certificate is based on the "honor system" in that you are true to your word and have actually observed 70 objects.

• Messier Certificate - Observe and log all 110 Messier objects (minus drawings) - Observe and log all 110 Messier objects (minus drawings) from the total 110 objects that Charles Messier found and cataloged back in the 1770's. This log can include drawings or just dates and times, but remember, if you are working towards a Master Certificate, you will also need to be documenting each object you observe. Your report must also contain photos and description of the equipment used in making the observations. This certificate is based on the "honor system" in that you are true to your word and have actually observed 110 objects.

• Master Messier Certificate - Observe, log, and draw (or photograph) all 110 Messier objects from the total 110 objects that Charles Messier found and cataloged back in the 1770's. Your log MUST contain drawings (and/or photos), dates and times to qualify for the Master Certificate. Your report must also contain photos and description of the equipment used in making the observations. This is the best certificate to earn.

• Herschel 200 Certificate - Observe and log any 200 Herschel objects - Observe and log any 200 Herschel objects. This log can include drawings or just dates and times, but remember, if you are working towards a Master Certificate, you will also need to be drawing each object you observe.

Master Herschel 200 Certificate - Observe, log and draw any 200 Herschel objects - Observe, log and draw any 200 Herschel objects. Your log MUST contain drawings, dates and times to qualify as a Master Certificate.

• NGC 100 Certificate- Observe and log any 100 NGC objects in any order - Observe and log any 100 NGC (and/or IC) objects, excluding Messier objects, in any order from over 13,000 objects availablen. This log can include drawings or just dates and times, but remember, if you are working towards a Master Certificate, you will also need to be drawing each object you observe. Sample List.

• Master NGC 100 Certificate - Observe, log and draw any 100 NGC objects in any order - Observe, log and draw any 100 NGC (and/or IC) objects, excluding Messier objects, in any order from over 13,000 objects available. Your log MUST contain drawings, dates and times to qualify as a Master Certificate. Sample List.

• Palomar Globular Challenge Certificate- Run by Ken Lester

• Arp 100 Certificate - Observe and log 100 of the 338 available Arp peculiar galaxies - Observe and log 100 of the 338 available peculiar galaxies that were first gathered by Dr. Halton C. Arp in his Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. The catalog is a selection of unusual or peculiar galaxies, interacting pairs or larger groups. Arp compiled the list with photographs from the Palomar 200-inch telescope in 1966. These objects are of such a faint nature, that a Master certificate for drawing these objects is not currently available. Our first club certificate for this was earned through 100 CCD images taken of the Arp galaxies. That doesn't stop you from drawing them...give it a try!
  

• Grand Tour Solar System Challenge Certificate - A beginner's challenge - An excellent beginner's challenge list with a beautiful certificate for its completion. "Observe" the Sun (WARNING: never look at the Sun without approved filters. The Sun may be observed by viewing through the filtered telescope of an experienced solar observer at one of our star parties, or through the use of the internet. Either way will not affect the type of certificate achieved). Observe Mercury, Venus, Earth, The Moon, Mars, an asteroid, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, a comet, a meteor, and an artificial satellite (a piece of Earth returned to space by Earthlings). You can achieve "Special Endorsements" by further observing any one or all of the following: Pluto, interplanetary dust (the Zodiacal lights/Gegenschein), interplanetary charged particles (Aurora), or any one of the candidate solar systems (a growing list of stars with possible planets). A checklist is available here. Now here's the fun part: you may earn this certificate by "observing" these objects in a variety of ways. You may use a telescope, binoculars, naked eye, film photography, CCD, or even the internet! There is even a separate certificate for a Marathon where these objects are observed all within one night. Yes, you may earn this certificate over and over for observing by a different media. As of the printing of this information, the award SIG feels that this certificate should NOT offer a Master certificate, and that this is a great place for you to start working on your log book skills. Contact Triple Nickel for help with your logbook entries.

• Explore the Universe Certificate - A beginner's certificate by the RASC

• Fort McKavett Challenge Certificate - Rules set for each list, by author of challenge - During our club trips to Fort McKavett, TX, the club often offers challenge lists. Any club member in coordination with the award SIG or club President can compile these lists. The completion of these challenge lists to the satisfaction of the list author qualifies you for a certificate. Many times these certificates are half the size of the other club certificates (due to the large volume of participants...remember we do not have any money in our club), but are just as nice to hang on your wall.

• Other Certificates - Occasionally, creative members compile a challenge list to spark one's observing desires. These lists are submitted through the award SIG and will either have a certificate or other type of award associated with the list completion. These are as fun as can be, so keep your eyes and ears open for the offering of these.