Messier Club

The Messier Club is a loose knit orgranization of members of the Peoria Astronomical Society. No formal membership exists. Anyone interested in locating and studying Messier objects are welcome at informal meetings one-half hour before regular meetings. It is also intended to have a Messier Club viewing session at Jubilee each clear new-moon Friday of the month, although experienced members are willing to help new members locate Messier objects anytime they have the chance. The goal is to help members earn the various Messier certificates.

Astronomical League Certificates

The Astronomical League gives certificates and pins for three classifications of observing clubs. See the AL Observing Club homepage for specific rules and lists. A Messier Certificate is awarded for observing 70 Messier objects. Upon observing all 110 objects, a person is awarded an Honorary Messier Certificate. The final Messier award, the Messier Binocular Certificate, is given for observing 50 Messier objects with binoculars. The AL rules require that no electronic setting circles or "go to" devices can be used for any of these awards. No object observed as part of a marathon can be counted. An observer must complete a log book indicating the Messier number of the object observed, the date and time of the observation, the size of the telescope or binoculars and the power used, and a brief description of the object as seen by the observer.

PAS Messier Certificates

In order to promote progress towards obtaining the various AL awards, the society and the Messier Club have decided to award intermediate certificates for PAS members as they strive to reach the final goals. An Intermediate Messier Certificate will be awarded for 50 Messier objects observed with a telescope and a Expert Messier Certificate will be awarded for observing 100 objects. A Binocular Messier Certificate will be awarded for observing 40 objects with binoculars. AL rules will apply and a similar log bog used. Anyone eligible should show his or her logbook to the observing chairman.

Messier Marathons and Certificates

The PAS usually conducts a Messier Marathon each March during the appropriate new-moon marathon weekend when nearly all 110 objects are viewable here in one-night. For the first time this October, the society will conduct another official marathon. Over 100 objects are supposed to be observable in one night. The society and Messier Club will award certificates for such marathons or any marathon completed on any other night. The only requirement is that the given number of objects are observed in any given 24-hour period, documented only by a checkoff list. Setting circles, electronic finders or any other device are permitted. Checkoff lists will be made available at the warmup room at Jubilee. An Intermediate Marathon Certificate will be given for viewing 50 objects in one night with a telescope while an Expert Marathon Certificate will be given for seeing 100 in that period of time. A Binocular Marathon Certificate is earned by viewing 40 objects with binoculars in the 24-hour period.

Mini-Marathons

Mini-marathons will allow for obtaining seasonal certificates throughout the year. Each season will have 27 or 28 Messier Objects listed to observe. Earn a Messier Mini-Marathon Certificate by obseving all the objects for that season in any 24-hour period. Once again, no other rules exist. Checkoff lists for each season will be kept at the warmup room at Jubilee. Turn in a completed list to the Observing Chariman to get your certificate.

John Barra
Observing Chairman