Observing Certificate Review Processes

This document should prove useful to an applicant when they want their observing certificate materials reviewed. Here we describe getting your materials reviewed quickly and effectively. Also see the related document on how to how to transfer one's observing materials.

Return to the Visual Observing Programs page.

 

Preamble

In this article, we thought we’d dive into our processes. We wish to clarify exactly how an applicant may have their observing certificate materials reviewed and how they may share their materials quickly and effectively. If you completed your observations and wish to receive an observing certificate: 

  1. Pick a review method based on your membership type and centre activity 
  2. Back up or duplicate your materials 
  3. Pick a suitable transfer method

 

Acronyms 

For brevity, we use the following acronyms in this document.  

  •     ETU = Explore the Universe 

 

How to get Reviewed 

An observer has a variety of options available to have their RASC observing certificate program materials reviewed. The National Observing Committee wants to make the process as easy and rapid as possible for the observer. See below for a path that best describes your situation.

 

ETU by a Public Person or by a National Member

The ETU program is unique in that an applicant need not be a member of RASC. People from the general public are invited to contact the national Observing Committee. A RASC member not affiliated with a particular centre will need to ask the national team to review their work.

  1. Reach out to the chair of the National Observing Committee using the following email address: observing@rasc.ca 
  2. State you have completed the ETU program and would like to apply. 
  3. Do not email forms, images, photos, or large attachments. 
  4. Await further instructions.

 

ETU by a Member in a Centre Without a Reviewer 

Not all Centres have a reviewer or reviewers able to examine and evaluate an ETU application. The applicant in such a centre will need to contact the national team.

  1. Try contacting a local volunteer in the centre organization to see if things have changed. Otherwise proceed through this sequence. 
  2. Reach out to the chair of the National Observing Committee using the following email address: observing@rasc.ca 
  3. State you have completed the ETU program and would like to apply. 
  4. Do not email forms, images, photos, or large attachments. 
  5. Await further instructions.

 

ETU by a Member in a Centre with Reviewers 

Many RASC Centres have an active observing committee or otherwise some members willing and able to assist their affiliated members. Please contact them first.

  1. Connect your local observing committee chair. Presumably their contact information is available on the centre website. Or ask your centre president. 
  2. State you have completed the ETU program and would like to apply. 
  3. Await further instructions.  
  4. If you don’t hear from the local centre volunteer, reach out to the chair of the National Observing Committee at observing@rasc.ca.

 

Any Non-ETU Certificate by a Member in a Centre Without a Reviewer

This pertains to the Explore the Moon, Messier Catalogue, Finest NGC Objects, Isabel Williamson Lunar Observing Program, Deep-Sky Gems, Deep-Sky Challenge, and Double Stars observing programs.  All these certificate programs require two witnesses so the applicant will need to seek out two people.  Not all Centres have a reviewer or reviewers able to examine and evaluate a RASC certificate application. The applicant in such a centre will need to contact the national team.

  1. Try contacting a local volunteer in the centre organization to see if things have changed recently. Otherwise proceed through this sequence. 
  2. Reach out to the chair of the National Observing Committee using the following email address: observing@rasc.ca 
  3. State you have completed a RASC observing program and would like to apply. 
  4. Do not email forms, images, photos, or large attachments. 
  5. Await further instructions.

 

Any Non-ETU Certificate by a Member in a Centre with Reviewers 

This pertains to the Explore the Moon, Messier Catalogue, Finest NGC Objects, Isabel Williamson Lunar Observing Program, Deep-Sky Gems, Deep-Sky Challenge, and Double Stars observing programs.  All these certificate programs require two witnesses so the applicant will need to seek out two people. Many RASC Centres have an active observing committee or otherwise some members willing and able to assist their affiliated members. Please contact them first.

  1. Connect your local observing committee chair. Presumably their contact information is available on the centre website. Or ask the centre president. 
  2. State you have completed a RASC observing program and would like to apply. 
  3. Await further instructions.  
  4. If you don’t hear from the local centre volunteer, reach out to the chair of the National Observing Committee at observing@rasc.ca.

 

Conclusion 

We hope these suggestions clarify how to arrange for a review of your application and how to provide your certificate materials. It may seem complicated at first blush but we do feel the process is easier than it ever has been. 

Return to the Visual Observing Programs page.