Amateur Astronomy and the Pipe Smoker
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Yeah, the light dome over most cities has grown enormously over the years. Depressing.
Our club was out at the local observatory years ago and were letting some folks who were in town visiting from NYC look through our scopes and showing them the constellations etc. One guy was almost speechless looking at the summer Milky Way naked eye. It was the first time he’d seen it. He called a friend back in the city and was trying to describe it. He was completely blown away. I love those moments.
I suppose if I had to give an answer...
Favorite planet: Mars
Favorite Moon: Mimas
Favorite Star: Wolf 359
Favorite Nebula: Horse Head
I’ve been really drawn lately to Saturn and it’s amazing North Pole. But, I’d have to agree with Mimas, mostly because it looks like the Death Star. It will be fascinating when they send that underwater drone to Europa though. Nebula’s is a hard one because they’re all so beautiful but, I do love the Eagle and Helix.
Probably beginner. I have very limited knowledge, but a longstanding interest.
I always recommend first learning some of the constellations. It's like learning the streets in town. Hard to get around without knowing them. A planisphere is a handy way to do that. It's essentially a map of the constellations where you dial in the date and time and it depicts the currently visible constellations.
I'd recommend "The Miller Planisphere". I've used one for many, many years. Get the large one, the small one is too small. You'll need to get one for your latitude range. David Chandler's "The Night Sky" planisphere is another good one. Both are available from many sources and prices vary widely.
There are many apps for phones and tablets to identify constellations in realtime. While extremely handy they have the disadvantage of impairing your dark adaptation. Not a problem at an urban location but a big problem at a dark site.
A good starter book is "Turn Left at Orion".
Turn Left At Orion
Another good one is "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide"
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
For websites check out
"Sky and Telescope"
and
"Astronomy Magazine"
Both have great info on current celestial events as well as things to look at for the upcoming month.
The Astronomical League is an association of astronomy clubs. They have a ton of great info on their site.
Check out their "Observing Programs". These are groups of objects to track down and observe. They cover everything from the moon, double stars, deep sky, you name it. The programs are arranged by level of experience and type of equipment. I'd highly recommend trying one out, especially one of the binocular programs.
"Observing Programs"
Let me know if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Ren
I'd recommend "The Miller Planisphere". I've used one for many, many years. Get the large one, the small one is too small. You'll need to get one for your latitude range. David Chandler's "The Night Sky" planisphere is another good one. Both are available from many sources and prices vary widely.
There are many apps for phones and tablets to identify constellations in realtime. While extremely handy they have the disadvantage of impairing your dark adaptation. Not a problem at an urban location but a big problem at a dark site.
A good starter book is "Turn Left at Orion".
Turn Left At Orion
Another good one is "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide"
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
For websites check out
"Sky and Telescope"
and
"Astronomy Magazine"
Both have great info on current celestial events as well as things to look at for the upcoming month.
The Astronomical League is an association of astronomy clubs. They have a ton of great info on their site.
Check out their "Observing Programs". These are groups of objects to track down and observe. They cover everything from the moon, double stars, deep sky, you name it. The programs are arranged by level of experience and type of equipment. I'd highly recommend trying one out, especially one of the binocular programs.
"Observing Programs"
Let me know if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Ren
I wanted to share two things with ya'll related to this topic;
First, I am reformatting my blog and changing the name to Pipes & Stars.
Secondly, I wrote about an amazing experience last night, and I'm happy to share it with you there... the submission is titled, Clear Skies & Toddler Eyes
Hope you enjoy it.
First, I am reformatting my blog and changing the name to Pipes & Stars.
Secondly, I wrote about an amazing experience last night, and I'm happy to share it with you there... the submission is titled, Clear Skies & Toddler Eyes
Hope you enjoy it.
I enjoyed your post very much. It made me think of a Mark Twain biopic I saw as a kid many years after its release.
If anyone's favorite planet isn't Earth I'm worry about you. It's the only livable planet we have in the solar system. Yeah, I know the moons of Saturn we can terraform in a few hundred years. Give me a break,
You mean your favorite woman is your wife! I worry about you! ?
Yes, honey, I am kidding, totally kidding (she hears and sees all, lol) - big talk sitting here in my garage! ?
Loved astronomy since I saw Star Wars as a kid. I own a Skywatcher 80ED, an Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight Equatorial mount, plus various other bits and pieces to go with it. I'm a monthly donator to the International Dark Sky Association and a member of the Munich astronomy club (Bayerische Volkssternwarte München e.V.).
Thanks, Ren! These are great recommendations. I think I may even have a couple of them, but I'll be investing in a planisphere!
No problem, my pleasure.
I forgot to mention that a dimmable or dim red flashlight of some kind is another good thing to start with to help preserve night vision while looking at a planisphere or charts.
We live in a light restricted community near the Whipple observatory in SoAZ. The night sky is beautiful. We’ve gone to a few Star Parties there over the years. We love sitting in the hot tub at night watching the stars and satellites overhead.
I have a Miller Planisphere that I use. It's great. Large, plastic coated, easy to read.
Like Ren said, make sure you get the correct one for your latitude.
Here's a link to the one I use.
Amazon.com: Miller Planisphere Star Finder, Size Large - Model 40 Degree - for latitudes 35N to 45N : Pet Supplies
Amazon.com: Miller Planisphere Star Finder, Size Large - Model 40 Degree - for latitudes 35N to 45N : Pet Supplies
smile.amazon.com
Orion's Belt and few others are only things I know. When I used to camp out, it was nice to go drain the lizard and stare up at the stars in the middle of the night.
H
Hfinn
Guest
One of the amusements available to an astronomy lover is to show to girl the starry sky. For this you need only the sky and a girl. And to know a few bright stars and constellations visible in the sky these days. With one hand, the girl is taken by the waist, while the direction is indicated with the other. This pastime is all the more interesting because, according to the laws of physics, starry nights are simultaneously cold, which is why the girl freezes and clings in search of warmth ?