Must observe all planets from each group:

Inner Planets: Mercury and Venus (both)

Outer Planets: Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (all 3)

Remote Planets: Uranus and Neptune (both)

Telescope Size:

Although a 5″or larger telescope is suggested with the ability to get 150x this is not a requirement.

Filters:

A set of colored filters is required. (Note a set is 3 or more filters)

Required Information: Date, Time, Telescope Size, Type, F/#, Power, and Filter for each observation and drawing. Also each observation must have a rating of sorts for seeing.

Requirements for Each Planetary Grouping:

Inner Planets: Mercury and Venus, observe and draw at least 3 times each.

3 different planetary shapes (phase).

observe one of the planets with the colored filter of your choice (at least once).

Outer Planets: observe each of these planets at least 5 times. Some observations must be made with color filter of your choice.

Mars: observe, identify, and draw:

Polar Cap

4 Major Features: Dark Areas

2 Light Features: Bright Areas

1 Mountain or Basin

Martian Atmospheric Phenomenon

Jupiter: observe, identify and draw

5 different belt

3 light zones

4 different belt details (note:GRS counts as one belt detail)

Jupiter 4 moons (note: disc, size, color, brightness at least twice)

3 moon events; transit, eclipse, occultation, mutual event etc…

Saturn: observe, identify, and draw:

2 rings section either A, B, C,

record Cassini’s Division at least twice

2 belts, 1 zone

see how many moons you can get (3+) – draw each at least twice

Remote Planets: Uranus and Neptune, observe and draw at least 3 times.

disc and color

disc resolution

Total Minimal drawings of Planets for Certificate:

Inner Planets
6

Outer Planets
15

Remote Planets
6

TOTAL
27

Total Minimal Number of different Planets Observed for Certificate: 7