Williamson Lunar

The Isabel K. Williamson Lunar Observing Certificate is a certificate program that was designed by the RASC Observing Committee. The Moon is by far the most detailed astronomical object to observe through a telescope and this comprehensive new program will guide you through a complete tour of our near neighbour's incredible surface. The list contains many outstanding craters, mountains, valleys, scarps, dorsa, and more. A sixty page printed booklet has been prepared for the Isabel Williamson Certificate Program by the Observing Committee and information about how to get a copy can be found below. The Isabel Williamson Lunar Certificate was adopted as a national program at the 2005 General Assembly held in Kelowna, British Columbia. We have also completed work on detailed observing forms that were custom made for the Isabel Williamson Lunar Observing Program. They are available from a link near the bottom of this page.

Lunar Program Guide Lunar Booklet

The Isabel Williamson Lunar Observing Program has been designed to be an educational experience and we have created a detailed program guide containing key information about the lunar surface and how to observe it. The booklet begins with an overview of the program guidelines, which outlines the observations that are required to obtain the certificate, and additional optional activities such as challenge features, lunar surface drawings, imaging, and more. It then provides a detailed overview of the history of the Moon and the various geological eras that have shaped its surface. From there you will find each type of lunar surface feature explained and what unique characteristics to look for in them. In addition you will find information about libration, key observing tips and acknowledgments of the team that put this program together.

How to Obtain a Program Guide

Copies of the Program Guide for the Isabel Williamson Lunar Program are currently available through National Office at the toll free number listed below. The booklet comes in a coil binding and within Canada the cost is $9.95 + GST and postage. USA and International orders are welcome, although the postage and handling may cost a little more. You may phone the National Office of the RASC toll free during business hours at 1-888-924-7272 to place an order. RASC Centres may also purchase the booklets at a special reduced price for distribution to members.

In addition, RASC members may download the PDF file by clicking on this Isabel Williamson Program link (note this is a Members Only resource; a password for the Member's Only Section will be needed). The PDF file is sixty pages long and may require a few minutes to load. We also have new Deluxe Observing Forms (PDF 271 KB) for the Isabel Williamson program that you are welcome to download and use to keep all of your lunar observations in one organized file. These forms are in PDF format and can be printed and photocopied as needed although they are copyrighted by the authors and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The file may take a few moments to load.

How to Apply for the Certificate

If you have competed the required number of observations for the Isabel Williamson Certificate please click on this PDF (portable document format) Lunar Program Application Form. Observer's may present their lunar observation records to their local Centre Executives or they may send photocopies of them to the address given on the application form. If the records are approved by Centre Executives and/or by designated local Observing Coordinators, two of their signatures will be required on the application form. For Unattached or International Members please send photocopies of your lunar observing records, or a CD containing the scanned GIF, JPG, PDF, or document files to the address given on the application form. Sending an original logbook is OK as well, but the RASC does not recommend that method due to the remote possibility of mail getting lost in the postal system.

Resources

One of the most frequent questions regarding the IW Lunar program is lack of detail lunar Atlas' since the Rükl "Atlas of the Moon" has been out of print and costly to obtain used. Please find this substitute for your observing pleasure:

HYPERTEXTUAL MOON ATLAS

More on Isabel K. Williamson JRASC 94, 201 (2000)