GSSP 2025 Observing Program: Settle your beef with the Milky Way

[Akarsh Simha]

Pleased to announce a preview of the GSSP 2025 Observing Program

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GaLPUwHKC6S2xj-zM8VqUYkigwNmZA7JB-hOnA1vO_4/

The list is the same for any scopes ranging from 4-inches to 32-inches (usually the largest on the field, although who knows). Heck there are even several naked-eye entries.

This whimsical list traces the path of stellar evolution in the summer sky, starting with dark nebulous clouds and ending in stellar remnants. My hope is that people will pick and choose objects catering to their experience level and aperture, and there are rough guidelines to help do the selection. Finally, there is no pin or certificate, which means that the list will not keep you away from socializing with your fellow astronomers -- don't turn GSSP into "scoped deliverables and OKRs" (even though I do it many a time).

Dan, thank you for the news on the nova. As you can see, I put it on the list.

Please use this preview to prepare as you deem fit: import it into your favorite program, or adapt it into your workflow... although... I'm doing some of that work for you and will produce a packet full of finder charts and information that you can "print and take" to the field and not be stranded with. It may be a shoddy job given my work and other commitments for pre-GSSP-week. I will not be at GSSP on Wednesday, arriving instead on Thursday, but on other days I can help field some questions you may have.

Regards

Akarsh

PS: Thank you, GSSP team, for the ominous "We're just a week away from this year's GSSP" email that sent a chill down my spine and got me finishing this list on a flight.

[Dan Smiley]

great list, I was hoping you'd do one again this year, see you next week!

[Akarsh Simha]

Okay, here is the full program packet:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a0wvlb6D0Z8kJO-r5ZqBO5qKK4StDZqBPrQiI3E5B6c/edit?usp=sharing

Steve was able to give it a cursory glance and found one egregious mistake... there might be more present. Please let me know in a DM if you find any mistakes -- I can correct mistakes but cannot handle requests for improvements / features. I wanted to put this out there quicker rather than later so we can give everyone enough time with it.

If I don't learn of any mistakes by tomorrow, I'll share a printable PDF.

Regards

Akarsh

[Ted Hauter]

May you all have a wonderful event.

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[Alex]

Fascinating work of science art! Akarsh. Thank you very much for sharing!

Clear Sky!
-Alex

[Akarsh Simha]

I wish to thank Scott Harrington for another correction, and also his inputs that led to some revisions on the aperture / difficulty estimates. These are not reflected on the spreadsheet which I will not maintain henceforth. The document is the source of truth. I also added a current supernova at 16th mag listed by Redbetter on CN.

Will make a final PDF export of the list tomorrow, which you can print for your field-use.

Regards

Akarsh

[Akarsh Simha]

Hello all,

Please find the final printable program attached:
https://asimha.net/GSSP2025_Observing_Program_Printable.pdf

Regards

Akarsh

[Ted Hauter]

Upstanding and outstanding!

A note on aperture and what one can see.

Articles and observations East of ' The West ' have noted they can see here through a 6 inch scope what they need to use even up to a 12 inch to see back there. So keep in mind what is possible through smaller more refined optics.

Also would like to add here that my deep sky scope has now been reduced to 7 inch (wish me well ;) but with a 55mm plossl with Maks it's more than adequate for anyone going after the Messiers on the list.

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[Richard Navarrete]

This is awesome , Akarsh and Steve. Thanks for all your work in putting this together.

Richard

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

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.

[Alex]

Hey folks. Happy GSSP!
I have converted the list from Akarsh to my "DSO Planner" app custom user database for my recent CDSE trip. It's essentially specifically formatted CSV key=value pairs per object, so it could be imported to any CSV/Json capable planetarium app after a few manual tweaks if desired (the most daunting problem with the original list is Ra/Dec in HMS/GMS format, I took care of that too). Just though one might find it useful too.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D5GBbrjL4JXmThFNDhMphvVQdYHEB4LM/view?usp=drive_link

Alex.

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