Here, is the letter I sent to S&T: I enjoyed reading Mark Allison's essay "Stop Renaming the Sky" in the December issue. However, as President of the Saguaro Astronomy Club, I'd like to clarify the intent of the SAC 110 Best objects in the NGC, mentioned in the article. This list was compiled by our Deep Sky group as a logical next observing challenge for folks who have observed the Messier Catalogue. We have no intent on renaming any of the objects in the list. In the 10 years I've been a member of SAC, I don't ever recall anyone referring to Omega Centauri as "SAC 18", in fact until I read the article, I didn't even realize that was it's place in the list! That being said if other folks refer to the list in that way, we're glad and take that as a compliment, but we'll still call "SAC 18" NGC 5139. Those interested in the SAC 110 Best Objects of the NGC can find it at:http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/BEST-OBJECTS-IN-THE-NEW-GENERAL-CATAL OG.htm Clear Skies Rick Tejera President Editor SACnews Saguaro Astronomy Club Phoenix, Arizona saguaroastro@xxxxxxx Rick Tejera President Editor SACnews Saguaro Astronomy Club Phoenix, Arizona saguaroastro@xxxxxxx www.saguaroastro.org -----Original Message----- From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steve Coe Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 12:19 PM To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Numbers assigned to NGC objects in SAC best of list Rick; Thanks for taking this on, we shall see if S&T decides to put your letter into the magazine in the future. Steve Coe -----Original Message----- From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of saguaroastro@xxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 11:46 AM To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: Tom Polakis Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Numbers assigned to NGC objects in SAC best of list For the record, I wrote a letter to the editor of S&T pretty much explaining that SAC has no intention of "Renaming" anything, I pointed out that I've never heard a SAC member refer to "SAC 18" and emphasized that the SAC 110 is merley a list of intersting objects for people to use as an observing guide. I'll post my letter when I get home and an access my sent mail folder. I've receive no confirmation that S&T got my message nor that they plan to run it. the last letter I wrote, they did send me a note saying they would use it. I guess we'll see when the next issue comes out. Clear Skies Rick ---- Tom Polakis <tpolakis@xxxxxxx> wrote: > ---- Steve Coe <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > > In this article a many named Mark Allison implores deep sky > > observers to stop "renaming the sky"... > > > So, my question is: do you know of a place, probably on the > > Internet, where "new" numbers were added onto the SAC Best of the NGC list? > > > The best place to start is an e-mail directly to Allison. He is responsible for what he wrote. Mention that you co-authored the list, and ask him where he saw numbers assigned to "SAC Best of" objects. Googling "Mark Allison" and "astronomy" take you to his site: > > http://www.mallison.u-net.com/ > > Curiously, he doesn't provide an e-mail address on his site. A > cursory search for his address came up empty. > > Does he mention his fellow countryman Patrick Moore? His (and S&T's) Caldwell list is, of course, the worst renaming-offender of them all. > > Tom >