Hi Alex,
The monthly observing challenge was something Mike implemented when the forum was in its infancy. I assisted doing the write ups and commentary on a lot of the observing challenge targets. Mike did some of the write ups and Andrew Durick did some write ups and the finder charts. A couple of other forum members assisted with the odd write up.
To do these write ups properly was a very time consuming onerous job and the task fell on the hands of a select few. At the time we felt the feedback and utilisation from forum members was very poor. I got the feeling I was spending a lot of time for nought.
I also don't think Mike set it up properly on the forum by breaking the monthly challenge into two components, visual and imaging. I believe it should have all been kept together in the one thread and the one section to stimulate combined interest from both camps.
In the interim couple of years the forum has grown significantly in its membership base. Importantly there are quite a few more experienced observers now in the membership that could assist with the monthly write ups.
If Mike wants to re introduce the monthly observing challenge and a few guys stick their hands up to assist with the write ups, I am happy to do the write-up for one target per month. I would be happy to alternate month about between the globular cluster and the double star.
Anyone keen to help with the write-ups and finder charts?
Cheers,
John B
PS: I have compiled a 600 target observing list of Southern Hemisphere Splendours for use by our US visitors each year when they come to Coonabarabran, so I got enough to keep most going for quite a while
