Galactic evolution may include interaction and disturbances between and among galaxies. The changes occurring are in slow motion by our time standards so when we view galaxies, we are witnessing a mere snapshot of the evolutionary process. Halton Arp documented 338 peculiar galaxies in his article Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies¹ in 1966 and more recently Kanipe & Webb² published a book with many images of peculiar galaxies.

Twenty years later Halton Arp and Barry Madore published a catalogue of southern peculiar galaxies³. This was done for several reasons: to document a larger sample of peculiar galaxies to investigate the nature of their redshifts and “to survey systematically the rich forms found among galaxies, from which new insights and, at the very least, a close familiarity would arise.”³

• Observers from either the Northern or Southern hemisphere will be required to observe any 100 of the Southern Arp galaxies. There are 122 galaxies higher than -30^o declination.
• Observations will be telescopic and can be recorded either visually (V) or electronically/photographically (E).
• The galaxies can be located manually (M) or with digital setting circles (D; this includes Go-To capabilities).
• Visual observations, log sheets should contain:
  • Date and time.
  • Latitude and Longitude of observation.
  • Sky conditions: transparency, and seeing.
  • Telescope aperture and focal length.
  • Whether the object was found manually, with digital setting circles or a Go-To telescope.
  • Magnification
  • The Arp-Madore (AM) catalogue number of the Southern Arp galaxy observed.
  • Observing details and descriptions.

The log sheets with visual observations or digital images (which should be submitted on a thumb drive, as a PDF, or via a shared online file or website if images are posted online) should be sent to the Northern Arp Observing Program Coordinator.

The observations will be verified by the Observing Program Coordinator. Separate certificates will be issued for Visual and Imaging, and observers are encouraged to apply for both!

You may also have them reviewed and approved by an officer of your local astronomy club who should then send an email to the Observing Program Coordinator.

Note:  If you are approving a submission for the Coordinator, it is critical that you tell the Coordinator which type of certification you are requesting.  Be sure to indicate the type of certification as:

• Manual - all observations were done manually.
• Imaging - all observations were done using imaging.
• A Combination - observations were done through mixed methods.

If all observations were done manually, the certificate number will have a suffix of "-M".  If all observations were done using imaging, the certificate number will have a suffix of  "-I".  

If you have already received a pin and certificate for the Northern Arp, you will receive just a certificate for the Southern Arp, as only one pin is awarded.

Include your name, mailing address, email, phone number, and to whom the certification should be sent.