Herschel 400 progress

[stephen-jones]

So, according to the AL website, it looks like it's been about 5 years since the last time an HAS member has been awarded a Herschel 400 award (Benjamin Jones, 2010). I personally have logged just over 100 of the Herschel 400 objects, so I've got a long way to go yet. Assuming there are a bunch of you guys and gals working on it, how far are you?

[steve-fung]

I'm such a noob that I'm still working on my Messier objects


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[stephen-jones]

You might be further along on your Herschel objects than you think. While Herschel tried to exclude Messier objects from his list, some made their way in anyway, and all of these are incorporated into the 400.

[steve-pinney]

What equipment are you using for the 400? I am like Steve F. still working on the Messier list.

I just sent away for the AL Universe Sampler, figured it will get my confidence level back up there!

[stephen-jones]

I'm using various scopes between 10 and 16 inches, but the higher apertures were hardly necessary, it was just the scope I happened to be using that day

[chris-ober]

Completed end of last month. I just need to enter (type-in) the hand-written entries I have from 1988-1991 when I started it into Skytools so I can export all and submit.

[robert-torrey]

I noticed on the AL awards list that the Master Observer certificate was often awarded right after the Herschel. I started mine last month.... only 390 left. Maybe after a few Hershel Marathons in west Texas I might get Master before I'm 70. A new retirement goal!

[chris-ober]

You can do them with an 8" -- which is what I started with in the late 80s/early 90s

What equipment are you using for the 400? I am like Steve F. still working on the Messier list.

I just sent away for the AL Universe Sampler, figured it will get my confidence level back up there!

[stephen-jones]

I noticed on the AL awards list that the Master Observer certificate was often awarded right after the Herschel. I started mine last month.... only 390 left. Maybe after a few Hershel Marathons in west Texas I might get Master before I'm 70. A new retirement goal!

Considering the length of the Herschel list, that's not surprising. Personally, the Herschels will probably be the last requirement I complete for Master Observer as well. I don't plan on waiting till I'm done with the Herschels to start other programs. Besides, if objects on the other lists happen to also be Herschel objects then that's double credit. I knocked off quite a few Herschel globular clusters en route to my Globular Cluster award this summer.

[chris-ober]

When you start going through the plethora of galaxies contained, it will definitely stretch your vocabulary trying to describe small, dim, fuzzy, blob, slightly elongated, etc...