International Halley Watch Amateur Observers - NASA

91 Pages·2009·2.32 MB·English

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JPL PUBLICATION 8'3-16, PART II
NASA-CR-173115
19830027692
International Halley Watch Amateur
Observers' Manual for Scientific
Comet Studies
Part II. Ephemeris and Star Charts
Stephen J. Edberg
March 1, 1983
NI\S/\
.!.ANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER
National Aeronautics and LIBRARY, NASA
Space Administration HAMETON, VIRGINIA
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California
All Blank Pages
Intentionally Left Blank
To Keep Document Continuity
JF'L PUBLICATION 83-16, PART II
International Halley Watch Amateur
()bservers' Manual for Scientific
C:omet Studies
Part i I. Ephemeris and Star Charts
S1tephen J. Edberg
INTERNATIONAL
HALLEY WATCH
March 1, 1983
NI\S/\
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
JE~t Propulsion Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California
The research described in this manual was performed at the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract
with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
ABSTRACT
This manual describes the International Halley Watch, comets and
observing tE!chniques, and provides information on periodic Comet Halley's
apparition for its 1986 perihelion passage. Part I gives detailed
instructions for observation projects valuable to the International Halley
Watch in six areas of study: (1) visual observations, (2) photography,
(3) astrometry, (4) spectroscopic observations, (5) photoelectric photom
etry, and (6) meteor observations. Part II includes an ephemeris for
Comet Halley for the period 1985-1987 and star charts showing its position
from November 1985 through May 1986.
iii
FOREWORD
This manual has been written for the advanced amateur astronomer.
Part I provides instructions on the proper methods of generating meaningful
scientific data on comets. The novice can learn general observing techniques
while learning the methods in this manual. Part II contains an ephemeris
and star charts for finding the comet and making observations of it.
This manual does not teach basic observing, telescope adjustment, or
data reduction techniques. There are many books available for such purposes.
It should be stressed that the most important single thing an amateur can do
to advance his skills is to use them. Practice provides part of the training
necessary to advance in the techniques of skillful, scientific observing.
Both novice and experienced observers should observe comets as they appear
in preparation for Comet Halley's apparition in 1985-86.
It is a sad fact that many professional astronomers are unaware of the
careful; professional-quality work which amateur astronomers are capable of
and have, in some cases, been doing for years. There is now a movement to
call people who practice astronomy without pay "nonprofessionals" in an
effort to improve the image of the hardworking, dedicated amateur who does
reputable research. While "amateur" and "nonprofessionals" are both accurate,
the latter is less fluent and has not been used in the text. It is my hope
that activities like the IHW Amateur Observation Net will demonstrate to
professionals that their unpaid fellow astronomers--amateurs--are worthy of
the respect sought with the "nonprofessional" noun.
Amateurs have made and can continue to make important contributions
to cometary research. Dedication to the effort is all that's required.
s.
E.
iv
IHW AMATEUR OBSERVER'S MANUAL
Part II - Ephemeris and Charts
CONTENTS
1. REPORT FORM SAMPLES AND GLOSSARY OF TERMS 1-1
Report Form Samples 1-3
ComprehensiveJReport Form Explanation 1-13
2. SELECTED EPHEMERIS DATA FROM THE COMET HALLEY HANDBOOK 2-1
General Information 2-2
Explanation of Symbols 2-5
Ephemer'; s 2-6
3. THE PATH OF COMET HALLEY ON THE SKY, 1985-1986 3-1
Chart Index 3-3
Charts 3-5
4. CALIBRATION AND STANDARD STARS 4-1
Standard Stars for IHW Photometry 4-2
Primary Equatorial Flux Standards, Table 4-1 4-2
Primary Solar Analogs, Table 4-2A 4-2
Other Solar Analogs, Table 4-2B 4-3
Faint Equatorial Solar Analogs, Table 4-3 4-3
Suggested Spectroscopic Calibration Stars, Table 4-4 4-4
v

1. REPORT FORM SAMPLES AND GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Report Form Samples
The following sample forms are included in Part II:
- Observer Index
- Visual Observations
- Draw; ng
- Photography
- Astrometry
- Spectroscopic Observations
- Photoelectric Photometry
- Visual Meteor Observations
- Meteor Photography
1-1