Internet Amateur Astronomers Catalog
History of the IAAC
NetAstroCatalog -
a mailing list for "deep sky" observers of all levels
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The netastrocatalog was established by Bernhard Rems and Lew Gramer,
based on some discussions in the Usenet newsgroup sci.astro.amateur in
May 1996. The catalog encompasses submissions from observers at all
levels, with instruments ranging from the unaided eye to the largest
amateur observing instruments! It was designed as an internet resource
for amateur observers, to compare and contrast their observations with
those made using similar equipment at similar sites around the world!
Here is the original IAAC message from Bernhard Rems
Hi to all!
I invite you to contribute to an interesting project. We are
gathering observation reports from amateur astronomers around the
world to compile the "Internet Amateur Astronomer's Catalogue".
What is it for? Most objects look different with different apertures,
under different circumstances, and for different observers. This
compilation should give newcomers and skilled observers a possibility
to compare their observations with those of others. For this reason,
some folks here on s.a.a. have designed a standard entry form to let
you submit your observations. We will gather all input and prepare a
list for you to download, where you can find your observation together
with those of fellow skygazers.
The list will be arranged by constellation and within that by right
ascension. It will be put on an ftp-server for download and updated
twice a month (we will keep you informed on where you can find it) -
as soon as there are enough reports to do so (hint, hint!). Maybe
these reports will be on a website in the near future.
Following you will find instructions on how to report observation:
1) Cut out the standard entry form.
2) Fill in everything that is needed.
3) Send it to: netastrocatalog@visualdeepsky.org
Subject: Object: [object name] - Instrument: [describe your scope]
Below are the facts we ask you to state in the body of your email. Put
as many of them as you feel comfortable adding: the important part is
your instrument, the object's name, and WHAT YOU SAW! Also, DON'T
FORGET to mention the object name and your observing instrument in the
"Subject:" line of your email...
Observer: (your real name goes here)
Your skill: (choose one: beginner, intermediate, advanced)
Date and UT of observation: (1996-May-20/21, 23:55 UT)
Location: (for example: Vienna, Austria, 47N, elev 150m)
Site classification: (choose one: city, suburbian, rural)
Limiting magnitude: (very important: give your best guess, unaided eye)
Seeing (1 to 10): (10 is best - 1 is like looking over a chimney)
Moon up (phase?): (yes/no, age or phase of the moon if yes)
Instrument: (for example: 8" SCT f/10, unaided eye, 7x50, etc.)
Magnification: (for example: 35x, none for unaided eye, etc.)
Filters used: (for example: None, UHC, LPR, OIII, Hbeta)
Object: (which one? including catalog number(s) and/or common names)
Category: (for example: open cluster, double star, galaxy, etc.)
Class: (for example: open cluster richness, galaxy morphology, etc.)
Constellation: (for example: Leo,Vir,Sag,Ori,Virgo,Sagittarius,Orion)
Object data: (mag and size; or mags,sep.,PA for double stars; etc.)
RA/DE: (position - please use J2000.0)
Description: (tell us what you saw, using AS MANY LINES AS YOU WANT)
Feel free to use your own yardsticks for seeing and sky darkness:
using the seeing scale of I-V, or the Pickering scale of 1-10; and
using any of the sky "transparency" scales of 1-5 or 0-10, sky
brightness in magnitudes/arcsec^2, or John Bortle's very excellent
transparency scale from 1-9 etc.
All are just as "valid" as our 1-10 seeing and visual limiting
magnitude. Just be sure to note which one you're using!
So take out your scopes, your binoculars, use your eyes and let us
know what you have observed! We will keep you updated - so let the
reports roll in. Clear skies!
Clear skies!
Lew Gramer <dedalus>
[IAAC: Internet Amateur Astronomers Catalog]
Curator: Hartmut Frommert
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