Comet Lulin reaches its brightest (Feb 22-28, 2009)Stargazers have another treat right now, as Comet Lulin appears to be arcing among the stars of Virgo and Leo. This celestial wanderer is easily visible with binoculars and may become bright enough to see with the unaided eye from a dark sky location. The best time to look for it will be late at night after it rises high above the eastern horizon. On February 16, the comet will appear near the bright stars Spica, the brightest in Virgo. Then on the nights of February 22 and 23 it will pass by Saturn, and by the 26th and 27th will lie not far from Regulus, the brightest star in Leo.
To learn more about the comet, visit: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/35992534.html
To learn more about telescopes and how to use them, visit: http://www.myfirstscope.com
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Dept store scopes
We have all seen them. The box with the really cool telescope and the happy family looking through the scope at a million stars all in the view of this wonderful "Powerful 100 XXX magnified telescope!" They make them look and sound like it is the first and last telescope you will ever need, and every accessory you need is in the box.
Well unfortunately the advertising dept is way better than the telescopes are!
For the most part these types of telescopes are a very small mirror in a much larger tube or OTA. The Optical Tub Assembly. I have seen them with a 2" mirror in a 31/2 in. OTA. This is very deceiving be cause it is the mirror that reflects the light to the eyepiece and a two inch mirror does not reflect much star light! The same goes with the small refractor type telescope. That is the one with out the mirrors. The refractor is made with just a pair of lens that are not very big, made with inferior glass and not ground very well on top of that.
As you can see they are a really bad buy! You will be disappointed in the performance of these types of scopes and it very well may turn you away from astronomy all together! You would not be the first person that has happened to!
Spoiling anyone on astronomy is the last thing we want here. I believe astronomy is a great hobby and there are so many aspects and types of astronomy that almost everyone can find an area that interest them.
With a good telescope the views of Saturn or Jupiter will stun the 1st time you see them "for real" if that don't set the hook going on to the universe and deep sky objects or even the craters of the moon will
You have already taken the first step in looking for your first telescope buy starting your research on the subject ...You are here.
Now you have completed the second step buy starting the elimination of pour contestants for the winner of the new first telescope contest!
If you want more information on how to choose the best First Scope go over to http://www.myfirstscope.com were it goes through the process from start to finish on helping you decide on what could be the best telescope for you.
Well unfortunately the advertising dept is way better than the telescopes are!
For the most part these types of telescopes are a very small mirror in a much larger tube or OTA. The Optical Tub Assembly. I have seen them with a 2" mirror in a 31/2 in. OTA. This is very deceiving be cause it is the mirror that reflects the light to the eyepiece and a two inch mirror does not reflect much star light! The same goes with the small refractor type telescope. That is the one with out the mirrors. The refractor is made with just a pair of lens that are not very big, made with inferior glass and not ground very well on top of that.
As you can see they are a really bad buy! You will be disappointed in the performance of these types of scopes and it very well may turn you away from astronomy all together! You would not be the first person that has happened to!
Spoiling anyone on astronomy is the last thing we want here. I believe astronomy is a great hobby and there are so many aspects and types of astronomy that almost everyone can find an area that interest them.
With a good telescope the views of Saturn or Jupiter will stun the 1st time you see them "for real" if that don't set the hook going on to the universe and deep sky objects or even the craters of the moon will
You have already taken the first step in looking for your first telescope buy starting your research on the subject ...You are here.
Now you have completed the second step buy starting the elimination of pour contestants for the winner of the new first telescope contest!
If you want more information on how to choose the best First Scope go over to http://www.myfirstscope.com were it goes through the process from start to finish on helping you decide on what could be the best telescope for you.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My First Telescope
There are a lot of people getting real close to retirement these days. I read somewhere that there are 8,000 people that turn 60 daily! That is a lot of boomers out there that are seriously considering retirement and what they want to do with the "golden years".
I myself am not far away from the 60 mark and I am salivating like a Pavlov dog at the thought of being able to do what I want with my time for the next 20 or 30 years...(optimistic I know).
If you or someone you know are in this category I want to make a suggestion.
Astronomy...You might want to think about getting a telescope if you don't already have one. If you do have one you should start thinking about dusting it off and getting back out there!
If you are thinking about getting your first telescope it would be a good idea to start working toward that asap. Buying your first telescope can be a daunting task these days because there are so many great "first telescopes" out there. Before you even think of getting that first scope there are a ton of things to consider. To begin with how much room do you have to store it, do you have a big vehicle, how much weight can you carry by yourself these days, what do you want to do with the your first telescope and the big one ....how much money can you afford to spend on a telescope?
I could go on for hours on the subject but I just happen to have a website that I have put together that is focused on helping the new astronomer to pick the first scope. So if you have an interest in getting a telescope go to http://www.myfirstscope.com/.
I think amateur astronomy is perfect for a retirement activity or hobby. I mean who hasn't thought to themselves at one time or another about what is really "out there"? Amateur astronomy has so many aspects to it that makes it a very flexible field for hobbyist. There are any number of types of astronomy, you are bound to find an area that will keep you challenged and useful for a LONG time.
The best thing about astronomy is you can combine it with other hobbies! Numerous hobbies go hand in hand with astronomy such as camping, dune buggies, dirt bikes, hiking, photography, traveling, RV travel is symbiotic with astronomy!
I have made a lot of new friends by setting up my telescope and inviting fellow campers for a mini star party at my site.
I also have friends that are set up real well in some wonderful national parks for the season. They get to spend a month or two in paradise in exchange for doing star parties for the public a few nights a week. Some even make fair money on top of the free rent etc.
So If your looking for a hobby that is exciting, fits in anywhere, plays well with others, is definitely "cool" and is guaranteed to keep you challenged
Then pick up your "First Telescope" and start learning what is really out there!
More Astronomy----The Perfect hobby!
http://www.telescopebinoculars.info/
http://www.telescopedobsonian.com/
I myself am not far away from the 60 mark and I am salivating like a Pavlov dog at the thought of being able to do what I want with my time for the next 20 or 30 years...(optimistic I know
If you or someone you know are in this category I want to make a suggestion.
Astronomy...You might want to think about getting a telescope if you don't already have one. If you do have one you should start thinking about dusting it off and getting back out there!
If you are thinking about getting your first telescope it would be a good idea to start working toward that asap. Buying your first telescope can be a daunting task these days because there are so many great "first telescopes" out there. Before you even think of getting that first scope there are a ton of things to consider. To begin with how much room do you have to store it, do you have a big vehicle, how much weight can you carry by yourself these days, what do you want to do with the your first telescope and the big one ....how much money can you afford to spend on a telescope?
I could go on for hours on the subject but I just happen to have a website that I have put together that is focused on helping the new astronomer to pick the first scope. So if you have an interest in getting a telescope go to http://www.myfirstscope.com/.
I think amateur astronomy is perfect for a retirement activity or hobby. I mean who hasn't thought to themselves at one time or another about what is really "out there"? Amateur astronomy has so many aspects to it that makes it a very flexible field for hobbyist. There are any number of types of astronomy, you are bound to find an area that will keep you challenged and useful for a LONG time.
The best thing about astronomy is you can combine it with other hobbies! Numerous hobbies go hand in hand with astronomy such as camping, dune buggies, dirt bikes, hiking, photography, traveling, RV travel is symbiotic with astronomy!
I have made a lot of new friends by setting up my telescope and inviting fellow campers for a mini star party at my site.
I also have friends that are set up real well in some wonderful national parks for the season. They get to spend a month or two in paradise in exchange for doing star parties for the public a few nights a week. Some even make fair money on top of the free rent etc.
So If your looking for a hobby that is exciting, fits in anywhere, plays well with others, is definitely "cool" and is guaranteed to keep you challenged
Then pick up your "First Telescope" and start learning what is really out there!
More Astronomy----The Perfect hobby!
http://www.telescopebinoculars.info/
http://www.telescopedobsonian.com/
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)