Vermont Astronomical Society

Planetary Observation Certificate (Advanced)

Must observe all planets from each group:

• Inner Planets: Mercury and Venus (both)

• Outer Planets: Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (all 3)

• Remote Planets: Uranus and Neptune (both)

Telescope Size:	Although a 5"or larger telescope is suggested with the ability to get 150x this is not a requirement.
Filters:	A set of colored filters is required. (Note a set is 3 or more filters)

Required Information: Date, Time, Telescope Size, Type, F/#, Power, and Filter for each observation and drawing. Also each observation must have a rating of sorts for seeing.

Requirements for Each Planetary Grouping:

1. Inner Planets: Mercury and Venus, observe and draw at least 3 times each.

   1. 3 different planetary shapes (phase).

   2. observe one of the planets with the colored filter of your choice (at least once).

2. Outer Planets: observe each of these planets at least 5 times. Some observations must be made with color filter of your choice.

   • Mars: observe, identify, and draw:

     1. Polar Cap

     2. 4 Major Features: Dark Areas

     3. 2 Light Features: Bright Areas

     4. 1 Mountain or Basin

     5. Martian Atmospheric Phenomenon

   • Jupiter: observe, identify and draw

     1. 5 different belt

     2. 3 light zones

     3. 4 different belt details (note:GRS counts as one belt detail)

     4. Jupiter 4 moons (note: disc, size, color, brightness at least twice)

     5. 3 moon events; transit, eclipse, occultation, mutual event etc...

   • Saturn: observe, identify, and draw:

     1. 2 rings section either A, B, C,

     2. record Cassini's Division at least twice

     3. 2 belts, 1 zone

     4. see how many moons you can get (3+) - draw each at least twice

3. Remote Planets: Uranus and Neptune, observe and draw at least 3 times.

   1. disc and color

   2. disc resolution