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Clever web animations illustrate the problem of light pollution
September 4, 2008 at 5:47 PM by Jim| I came across the Need Less site recently while keeping up to date on current events on the subject of light pollution. The site has won an award for its collection of six clever animations that convey a simple and clear message regarding the need to reduce light pollution and energy waste.
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Tags: energy pollution light reduce save
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DELICIOUSNEAF 2008
April 28, 2008 at 5:41 PM by Jim| It was another great showing for this year's Northeast Astronomy Forum and Telescope Show. This was my second year attending the show, and it still amazes me how much work is being done in the field of amateur astronomy. In fact, it is becoming quite clear that the line between amateur and professional research is becoming more indistinct. There is undoubtedly an increasing emphasis on imaging and automated and remote observatory operation via the internet. read more... |
Tags: neaf telescope imaging
Download PDF EmailComments (0) 'Tis the Season... for Mars
December 19, 2007 at 9:41 AM by Jim| Every 2 years and several weeks, Earth catches up with the slower-moving Red Planet, our nearest outer planet. The close pairing occurs this year on December 18, with Mars just over 55 million miles from Earth. What this means is that the bright, orange-hued "star" visible high in the Eastern sky in the evening provides some spectacular views in a telescope. While it is often said that this is not our closest approach to Mars (which occurred in 2003), the fact that Mars rides high on the ecliptic during this year's opposition means that it climbs high enough in the sky so as to not be viewed through much atmosphere and haze. Late in the evening it is nearly overhead, marking the best time to observe it. Small telescopes will likely show the polar ice cap and some darker surface markings, but if you can visit a local observatory you may be treated to some spectacular views.
Coming up next week, on Christmas Eve, the full moon, my favorite full moon of the year, will join Mars in the evening sky for a memorable conjunction. If you live in the Northwestern US you will even see the moon pass in front of Mars. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a clear night! read more... |
Tags: mars moon
Download PDF EmailComments (2) Comet 17P/Holmes, the Red Sox Comet
October 29, 2007 at 8:00 am by Jim
Well the last time that the Boston Red Sox won the World Series it was under a total lunar eclipse (well, totality was over by the time the Red Sox completed the 4-game sweep in St. Louis, but the eclipse did occur during the Game 4). While there was no total lunar eclipse Sunday night to usher in the 2007 title, there has been an unusual, unpredicted, and outright spectacular astronomical event that began the same day of Game 1 of the World Series, and continues this week. That is the sudden outburst of Comet 17P/Holmes.
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Tags: red sox comet holmes
Download PDF EmailComments (0) Best of Season
July 13, 2007 at 9:00 am by Jim| Thursday, July 12 (July 13 UTC) turned out to be what I would easily call best of season. The weather turned out to be 9/10 during a pre-scheduled observing session at the dark sky site in Burrillville. If I had to cal a theme to this session it would be Comet Linear. The comet was very large and bright at 24x, and easy to locate in the same field of view as iota Draconis. Also visible in the field, but much fainter, was the edge-on galaxy NGC 5866. The motion of the comet against the background stars was remarkedly apparent each time I observed it across the span of about 4 hours. Even observing it steadily over the course of 10 minutes its movement could be detected at 53x. Another highlight of the session was the obligatory Milky Way star sweep, a necessity given the availability of the best parts of the galaxy during this time of year. This time, however, instead of starting in Cygnus and working my way down towards Sagittarius, I decided to start in Sagittarius, the center of the galaxy. After a few slow circular sweeps of the region I decided to stop at one of the most interesting areas, with dark nebulae meandering across rich star fields. I took in the 3.5 degree field of view for a good 20 minutes before moving up through Scutum and Aquila. After a third gaze at Comet Linear I returned to some of the Summer Triangle showpieces. Noticing that some familiar objects had lost some of their luster, but the sky conditions continuted to be specatular, it could only mean that the objective was starting to collect dew. After some naked-eye Milky Way viewing and a couple of faint meteor sightings, I decided to wrap up the session about about 2:20 local time. |
Tags: comet.linear summer milkyway galaxy
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