Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Program

Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Program Coordinator:

Brad Young
212 E. 16th St.
Tulsa OK USA 74119
(918) 629 9160

 

 

  ALOP Logo 

Introduction

Welcome to the Astronomical League's Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Program (EOSOP). The purpose of this Observing Program is to introduce observers, new to satellite observing, with the terminology and techniques of tracking satellites. The list of objects required for the certification include targets that can be easily tracked using the unaided eye or binoculars, including the International Space Station, several operational vehicles, and numerous rocket bodies.  Other satellites such as GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites, Russian Molniya spacecraft, and even geosynchronous/geostationary satellites will be observable, but may require telescopes and/or imaging techniques to identify.

Satellites in "Near-Earth" orbit are typically observed for this award.  Some of the smaller targets may require binocular/telescopes and/or photographic techniques to identify.

The specifics of the EOSOP observing program are listed on the EOSOP Tutorial page, and are also on the downloadable observation report forms (PDF Version, Word DOC Version).

Requirements and Rules

This certification is available to members of the Astronomical League, either through their local astronomical society or as members at large.  If you are not a member and would like to become one, check with your local astronomical society, search for a local society on the Astronomical League Website (click here), or join as a member at large (click here).
 

To see what kinds of observations are necessary to fulfill the requirements of this observing club, please view the EOSOP Observing Program Tutorial:  click here.

Every observation log must include:  

  • Name of object
  • Date and Time (local or UT)
  • Latitude and Longitude
  • Seeing and Transparency
  • A sketch of the observation

Submitting for Certification

To receive your EOSOP Certificate and Pin, send a COPY of your observations, along with your name, mailing address, email address, phone number, society affiliation, and to whom the certification should be sent, to:

 

Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Program Chair:

Brad Young
212 E. 16th St.
Tulsa OK USA 74119
(918) 629 9160

It is preferred that submissions be sent as documents through email.  Your logs may be scanned and submitted.

Upon verification of your submission and of your active membership in the Astronomical League, your recognition (certificate, pin, etc.) will be sent to you or to the awards coordinator for your society, as you specified.  Your name will also appear in an upcoming issue of the Reflector magazine and in the Astronomical League’s on-line database.  Congratulations.  Good luck with your next observing challenge.

 

Notes:

  • Citizen Science:  Orbiting Satellite Observing Program certification, you can also submit your data to the Trusat database.  This action is required if you are pursuing satellites as a Citizen Science certification with the Astronomical League.  The Trusat website can be accessed by clicking here: https://www.trusat.org/.  TruSat is no longer active. We are working with CelesTrak and Satflare to have them provide a repository.

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Links:

The specifics of the EOSOP observing program are listed on the EOSOP Tutorial page, and are also on the downloadable observation report forms located below.