----------------------------------------------------------------- The INTER-SOL Programme (ISP) ----------------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSES The INTER-SOL Programme (ISP) was established by Mr Reinhard Wiechoczek - also founder of the Public Observatory Paderborn, Germany - in 1977 after several preparatory tests during 1976. - Surveying the different Sunspot phenomena, IS (INTER-SOL Index) should give more detailed information about the activity than the common international SIDC (Brussels) which is deriving just ONE concluding Sunspot number "R". - IS should be comparable to terrestrial statistics of any kind for possible research of solarterrestrial phenomena. The task of ISP is to draw up a document of the Sun activity. Since most of the terrestrial statistics dealing with all aspects of life are based on monthly or yearly terms, the IS data are smoothed to means out of three terrestrial months. - IS is also a fascinating facility of cooperation for amateurs and professionals around the world. The intention is to realize a solar observers' network on all continents. - Facing all the giant scientific investigations - earth-bound as well as operating in space - we must be aware of ISP not being of professional but amateur character. Nevertheless ISP is of serious and severe purpose. - All experienced solar observers are welcome to join the international IS-Team. Contact: VOLKSSTERNWARTE PADERBORN e.V. Postfach 1142 D-33041 Paderborn GERMANY Tel.: +49 (0)5254-85157 Fax : +49 (0)5293-8132 Email: AstroObsPb@aol.com InterSolPb@aol.com Location: Im Schlosspark, Marstallstr. 13, Paderborn-Schloss Neuhaus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - METHODS OF SUNSPOT OBSERVATION, REGISTRATION AND EVALUATION 1. The INTER-SOL Index is defined as: IS = gr + grfp + grf + efp + ef 2. IS - INTER-SOL Index gr - number of spot groups (consisting of two or more spots) grfp - number of penumbral spots belonging to a group grf - number of spots without penumbra belonging to a group efp - number of single penumbral spots being no members of any group ef - number of single spots without penumbra being no members of any group Check formula: (grfp + grf) : gr >= 2 3. Contrary to the common determination (SIDC, Brussels) single spots (efp and ef) are not (!) classified as groups (gr). 4. Each umbra within one penumbra is to be counted as "grfp". 5. For classifying the different phenomena please use Waldmeier's schedule which can be found on our web site: http://members.aol.com/intersolpb/EXAMPL2E.HTM 6. Pores are not(!) registered as a spot. 7. If the telescope is smaller than 100mm (4 inches) of diameter we advise the direct view through filter glasses, because the method of projecting the Sun picture onto a screen sometimes weakens the contrast. 8. Several observations on the same day have to be registered on additional protocol sheets each. 9. Time of observation is UT (Greenwich Time). 10. Observing conditions ("Cond.") are defined as follows: 1 - very good: picture very contrasty and clear, granulation visible. 2 - good: Sun limb or spots in slight motion, granulation only from time to time visible. 3 - satisfactory: Sun limb or spots in medium motion, granulation invisible. 4 - weak: Sun Iimb fluttering, close spots hardly to be resolved. 5 - poor: Sun limb in strong ebullition, detail observations almost impossible. 11. Monthly protocols are to be sent as soon as possible to: Volkssternwarte Paderborn e.V. Postfach 1142 D-33041 Paderborn GERMANY (New protocol pages are free from the same address if needed.) Telefax: +49 (0)5293-8132 12. It is also possible to send in the data by Email using a special data-format. For more details please have a look on our service web page: http://members.aol.com/intersolpb/SERVICEE.HTM. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13. All incoming protocols are evaluated at the Paderborn Observatory, computing daily and monthly means. 14. Various telescope sizes are valued by fi (multiplicating factor of instrument): fi = aperture (mm) : 60 mm (amateur standard refractor) 15. Observing conditions are considered by fc (multiplicating factor of conditions): Condition: 1 2 3 4 5 fc= 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.1 16. n is the sum of all respected observations. n' = n * fi * fc 17. The differences of the monthly means are smoothed by terms of three months, e.g.: January: IS = 80 February: IS = 75 March: IS = 40 __ Smoothed number of February: IS = (80 + 75 + 40) : 3 = 65 So the final INTER-SOL Index is: __ __ ____ ___ __ __ IS = gr + grfp + grf + efp + ef 18. The monthly IS-Report is sent regularly to the observers. Please note: Our observers have to take care of paragraphe 1.-12. only. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE VOLKSSTERNWARTE PADERBORN e.V. (PADERBORN PUBLIC OBSERVATORY) was founded in 1976 by members of the Astronomische Arbeits- gemeinschaft - a private amateur astronomers' club - which dates back to 1971. The observatory is located at the top of a school building in Schloss Neuhaus, a suburb of Paderborn, Germany. Diametre of dome: 4.50 m (1ft = 0.3m) Main instruments: Newton-Cassegrain 300/1500/6000 mm (1inch = 25.4mm) Schaer-Refractor 150/3000 mm and UNITRON refr. 102/1500 mm Since 1995 the telescopes are positioned and guided using a self-built computer control. Beneath the dome a complete floor ist reserved for astronomy housing the library, computing centre, radio laboratory (parabolic areal 3.00 m), magazine, bureau, a recently modernized lecture-room for public lectures ans multimedia shows; in addition, even a kitchen can be found. The photo laboratory is separated three floors lower. Besides the INTER-SOL Programme and common amateur activities public lessons and PR are very important. The Paderborn Observatory is well-known for the permament campaign against astrology. Additional information on the Volkssternwarte Paderborn e.V. can be found on the internet: http://members.aol.com/astroobspb We have to thank all our supporters and solar observers around the globe: in Australia, Austria, Azores, Belgium, Bolivia Brazil, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Republic of China, Cuba, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Jordan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United States of America, Ukraine and Uruguay. (...) If you are interested in more detailed information or if you would like to join our international team of amateurs and professionals, please contact us: Fax : +49 5293 8132 email: InterSolPb@aol.com You're very welcome to join our team!! Thank you very much for your interest in the INTER-SOL Programme! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Last updated: April 30th, 1999 (c) 1976-99/... by VOLKSSTERNWARTE PADERBORN e.V., Germany ----------------------------------------------------------------