Astronomy/DSOs

The Astronomy DSO list specifies which Deep Sky Objects may be covered in the Astronomy event that year.

General Tips
The DSO list can seem daunting at first. A good strategy for DSOs is to take your own notes on them from various sources, and include images as well:


 * Categorize the DSOs by its type or its stage in Stellar Evolution (e.g. Brown Dwarfs, Red Giants, White Dwarfs, Cepheid Variables, Supernova remnants, Globular Clusters), and take notes on each category about its stage in stellar evolution and significance in the study of Astronomy: For example, a Type Ia Supernova can either be the result of collision of two white dwarfs or accretion of matter from a stellar companion (often reaching the Red Giant stage), and its mostly uniform brightness can help Astronomers determine distance to distant galaxies using the distance modulus.
 * For each Deep Space Object, take notes on what makes them unique and significant. The Chandra X-ray Observatory posts videos at the start of the competition season that briefly explain each object's significance, and the Chandra photo album and NASA's APOD are also good resources. For Variable stars, AAVSO is a helpful resource.
 * Find photos (and light curves for variable stars) of the Deep Space Objects, as many as possible and across all wavelengths. Almost all tests include tasks to identify DSOs based on images or find all images of a certain DSO/category, and more difficult tests sometimes include more obscure images of the DSOs. Include the wavelength of light a certain image was taken in.
 * Take notes on Miscellaneous information about each deep-star object, including, but not limited to: constellation, alternate names, magnitude, stellar classification, right ascension/declination, and color index.
 * Take practice tests. They help reveal weaknesses in your notes on Deep Space Objects.
 * If you are given certain information about a DSO such as the masses and the separation of the binary system, calculate the period. Use information you already have to calculate other values before the test, saving you valuable time.

Previous Years' DSO Lists
2016 DSOs

2015 DSOs

2014 DSOs

2013 DSOs

2012 DSOs

2011 DSOs


 * Basic note sheet for the 2011 DSOs, intended for use when asked to quickly identify things, or for those new to the event.

2010 DSOs


 * Epsilon Aurigae**
 * AAVSO: Epsilon Aurigae
 * Milky Way Galaxy
 * NASA: Our Milky Way Gets a Makeover
 * Sagittarius A*
 * Chandra Photo Album: Sagittarius A*: 06 Jan 03
 * Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
 * NASA APOD: November 14, 1999 - M31: the Andromeda Galaxy
 * Cartwheel Galaxy
 * Chandra Photo Album: Cartwheel Galaxy: 11 Jan 06

-**is part of a special viewing campaign this year and will be included up to at least 2011.

2009 DSOs


 * Circinus X-1
 * http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/Circinus_X-1.html
 * Chandra Photo Album: Circinus X-1
 * RU Virginis
 * AAVSO: RU Vir
 * Epsilon Aurigae*
 * AAVSO: Epsilon Aurigae
 * RX Andromedae
 * AAVSO: RX And — a CV in transition?
 * Z Andromedae
 * AAVSO: Z And, October 2000 Variable Star Of The Month
 * SN 1006
 * Chandra :: Photo Album:SN 1006, 15 Dec 05
 * Chandra :: Photo Album:SN 1006, 1 July O8
 * RX J0822-4300
 * Chandra :: Photo Album :: RX J0822-4300 in Puppis A: Chandra Discovers Cosmic Cannonball :: November 28, 2007
 * Chandra Press Room :: Chandra Discovers Cosmic Cannonball :: November 28, 2007
 * G292.0+1.8
 * Chandra :: Photo Album :: G292.0+1.8 :: October 23, 2007
 * Chandra :: Photo Album :: G292.0+1.8 :: 22 Oct 01
 * NASA ADS: Spitzer Spectroscopy of the Galactic Supernova Remnant G292.0+1.8: Structure and Composition of the Oxygen-Rich Ejecta
 * NGC 2440
 * The colourful demise of a Sun-like star
 * Betelgeuse
 * AAVSO: Alpha Orionis
 * RS Ophiuchi
 * AAVSO: RS Ophiuchi
 * Mira
 * AAVSO: Mira Revisited
 * T Tauri
 * AAVSO: T Tauri
 * Hind's Variable Nebula
 * Hinds Variable Nebula
 * APOD: 2007 December 13 - T Tauri and Hind's Variable Nebula
 * M13
 * M13.
 * RS Puppis

-*is part of a special viewing campaign this year and will be included up to at least 2011.

Links

 * Basic note sheet for the 2011 DSOs
 * SIMBAD Astronomy Database for DSOs