Attending the Oregon Star Party is the perfect opportunity to observe the night sky! In order to encourage observing at the Oregon Star Party, we develop five different observing programs each year, each with its award certificate and pin. Anyone registered for the star party is eligible to participate.
Please note,
if you were working a list from last year (or prior) and didn’t finish – it’s okay to finish it up (or even start it if it looks like fun) this year and get your pin. We have plenty of pins from recent prior years, and will do our best to locate ones from years back if we can. Each list (except typically beginner) tends to vary significantly from year to year – and each has an interesting set of objects to observe. Feel free to try whatever looks most interesting to you. Keep in mind time-of-year will affect visibility i.e. some July/August objects may not be visible in June and planets/comets/asteroids are in completely different locations each year.
Observing Program Rules
All observations must be made at Indian Trail Spring during the week of Oregon Star Party. This year, we encourage everyone to describe and sketch each of the objects into the Observer Log Sheet. A blank log sheet is available below to download and print. It will also be included in the OSP Observer Guide. A limited quantity will also be in the Information Tent.
If you prefer, you may instead use your own log book. Observations may be carried over to the next year if you did not complete them in one year, but they must be made at Indian Trail Spring during OSP.
An observation record must include:
- Your Name
- Date of Observation
- Time of Observation
- Sky condition (Seeing)
- Type of instrument used
- Magnification used while observing the object
- A description of the object
- For intermediate and advanced lists, a sketch with more detailed description is preferred
- Proof of OSP registration
When finished, bring the list of observations to the Information Tent before noon on Sunday, where a committee member will go over your record. Those participants who successfully complete a program will receive a Certificate showing their accomplishment. A beautiful “OSP Observer” lapel pin for the level completed will be awarded to you once you have completed a list and it has been confirmed. Your name will also be displayed on the Oregon Star Party webpage as an Observing award winner.
OSP First Observing List
This year we are introducing a new and unique list to introduce newcomers to OSP. Items include views of day and night sky object types through multiple instruments, introduction to services and amenities at the event, experiencing speaker events, and meeting some of the people that help make it all happen.
Don’t have a telescope of binoculars? Don’t worry! There are mentoring sessions you can sign up for Wed-Fri nights (that’s one of the items!). There is also Bernie’s telescope field where you can use the mentoring telescopes first-come, first-served after mentoring is complete. Many folks tend to enjoy sharing views through their equipment as well, so that’s another option – but do ask politely, and understand they could be concentrating on a different specific activity at the moment.
This year, the committee is planning unique signage for folks that are interested in sharing views to support this (or in general). Check at the information tent for what these signs or lights look like, and how availability will be indicated.
To get your pin, you will need to accomplish at least 10 of the 12 tasks, and must include items 11 and 12. Observed items should be described sufficiently to identify what you saw, and also sketched/drawn if that’s a listed criteria. Sketch can be as simple or complex as you like… idea is to capture what you see. It may surprise you much more you may take in by observing with the objective of capturing with a sketch.
When finished, bring your record of observations to the Observing Program table next to the Information Tent to receive your pin. Please check the information tent for updates on when the Observing Program table will be staffed, and where it is going to be for the next session. Typically it will be manned later in the afternoon.
Binocular List
Although a telescope provides brighter and higher magnification views of deep-sky objects, binoculars offer several advantages. They provide a much wider field of view, which enhances the views of many objects and makes locating them easier. They are also much more portable and require little or no setup. Many objects in the list below are easily visible in binoculars of all sizes. You may notice many of these are also on other lists – this is intentional. You’ll find a whole different feel looking at something with a much wider field of view and use of both eyes. There is a sense of context – seeing where these objects sit relative to nearby objects. While you are encouraged to try them all – to receive the Binocular Observer pin you must observe and record at least 16 of the listed objects while you are here at OSP. As an added reference, each object’s page number in the popular Sky and Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas (PSA) is listed as well (or where it would be, if not actually included).
Since there are observers of many levels at OSP, this list contains simple to find/see objects, along with some more challenging ones, but with many more items than are needed for an award. This allows beginners to work at the list and earn an award, but provides additional binocular-oriented targets for more advanced observers looking for more of a challenge.
Go-to mounts are not permitted for the Binocular List award. You may get assistance in locating objects on star charts or in the sky, but you must locate them yourself with your binoculars. Looking through mounted binoculars, in which someone else has sighted the object for you, is not acceptable. Object sketches are highly recommended but they are not necessary if you provide a good description of each object and what you saw.
When finished, bring your record of observations to the Observing Program table next to the Information Tent to receive your pin. Please check the information tent for updates on when the Observing Program table will be staffed, and where it is going to be for the next session. Typically it will be manned later in the afternoon.
Showpiece List (former know as the Beginner List)
A great way to enjoy the unique beauty of the dark skies at Oregon Star Party (OSP) is to view bright deep sky objects, colorful double stars, and planets through a telescope. The objects listed are easily visible in most telescopes, and many can also be seen in binoculars. They are among the brightest showpiece objects in the sky.
While you encouraged to try them all – to receive the Showpiece List observer pin you must observe and record at least 16 of the objects listed below while you are here at OSP. As an added reference each object’s page number in the popular Sky and Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas (PSA) is listed as well (or where it would be, if not actually included – like planets).
Most of the objects listed below are visible between sunset and midnight during the star party. All are visible before astronomical dawn. The Showpiece List award is intended for visual observing. Go-to telescopes and image enhancers (photography) are not permitted for the Showpiece List award. You may get assistance in locating objects on star charts or in the sky, but you must locate them yourself with your telescope. Looking through a telescope, in which someone else has sighted the object for you, is not acceptable. Object sketches are a bonus but they are not necessary if you provide a good description of each object.
When finished, bring your record of observations to the Observing Program table next to the Information Tent to receive your pin. Please check the information tent for updates on when the Observing Program table will be staffed, and where it is going to be for the next session. Typically it will be manned later in the afternoon.
Intermediate List
Again this year we have a large number of objects on the list to try, including many Caldwell items. Objects for this year are intended to be interesting, but for the most part not repeat items in recent prior lists (with the exception of the ice giant planets). There is a wide variety of objects to choose from, including double and multiple stars, a carbon star, and a possible nova! Some are fairly challenging, others somewhat easier to find but hopefully just as interesting and rewarding to see.
Though you are encouraged to try them all, to receive the OSP Intermediate list observer pin you must observe and record at least 20 of the listed objects while you are here at OSP. A short description of each object is required and object sketches are strongly encouraged. Sketch double stars noting West (drift direction) or North.(Recommended for all sketches). Visual observations are encouraged but goto and image enhancers (photography) are permitted at OSP for the Intermediate List award. Each objects page number in the popular Sky and Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas (PSA) is listed as well (or where it would be, if not actually included).
When finished, bring your record of observations to the Observing Program table next to the Information Tent to receive your pin. Please check the information tent for updates on when the Observing Program table will be staffed, and where it is going to be for the next session. Typically it will be manned later in the afternoon.
Advanced List
Welcome back!
Each of the objects on this list has its own page itemizing what it is, why it’s interesting to observe, and the criteria for a successful observation. Also included are the constellation of each object, coordinates, and a photo showing what the object looks like – all you have to do is find, observe, and record your observations. I hope you enjoy the challenge.
Note – you will need your own detailed finder charts for these objects. Paper or computer charts are equally acceptable. You’ll also need to research some of this year’s objects to be sure you’re observing exactly what’s being asked for.
Star hopping, push-to and go to are all appropriate ways to find these objects.
Stretch your skill and imagination – see something new, something unimaginably old, something unexpected
- Even though this is a challenging list, you don’t need twenty years of observing experience or a 20-inch telescope to successfully observe ten of these objects.
The only way to know if you can see these objects is to have a look for yourself.
- The visibility of each object assumes dark, transparent, steady and non-smoky OSP observing conditions.
Requirements to receive a certificate
- To receive the observing certificate, you need to have descriptive notes and/or sketches that clearly show you observed any ten (10) of the objects on this year’s list.
- Simply noting that you saw ten objects doesn’t count.
When finished, bring your record of observations to the Observing Program table next to the Information Tent to receive your pin. Please check the information tent for updates on when the Observing Program table will be staffed, and where it is going to be for the next session. Typically it will be manned later in the afternoon.
Astrophotography List
Astrophotography is a specialized type of photography that entails recording images of astronomical objects and large areas of the night sky.
The easiest way to start is to capture wide views of the night sky with an ordinary DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses. Such equipment affords a wide field of view, making easy work of imaging constellations, meteors, the Milky Way, and much more. Point-and-shoot cameras and even some of the newer cell phones can also capture the sky.
Next levels include tracking mounts for the camera, or camera views through tracking telescopes. From there it progresses through various levels all the way to purpose-made astro-imaging telescopes, mounts, cameras, systems and software that rival some observatories.
This year we are trying something a bit different. Astrophotographers at OSP range from people who are pointing a camera at the night sky for the first time, to people using tracking telescopes or mounts, to people with very sophisticated tracking and imaging systems with extreme capability. To accommodate this better without creating many more lists, we are providing a few starter items here, then leveraging the other four lists for the remainder.
To complete this list, you may choose from the five items shown and/or any of the items in the other four lists to suit your desired challenge level – and do more if you like! Individual beginner and binocular list objects count as a single item. Intermediate list objects count as two. Advanced list objects (must meet full criteria for an object) count as four.
To receive the award pin this year you must photograph at least 12 items, according to the rules above while you are at OSP.
When finished, bring your record of observations and images to the Observing Program table next to the Information Tent to receive your pin. Please check the information tent for updates on when the Observing Program table will be staffed, and where it is going to be for the next session. Typically it will be manned later in the afternoon.
Finally, with your permission, OSP would like to display the images on the website for everyone to see!
The astrophotography list can be downloaded here: