Search found 23 matches

by Astrolaman
Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:21 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: RadioShack and the Decline of Amateur Astronomy
Replies: 5
Views: 693

RadioShack and the Decline of Amateur Astronomy

Christopher Mims has written an article appearing in today's WSJ on events leading to RadioShack's decline and need for bankruptcy protection. This same article could be used to explain the apparent decline of amateur astronomy as well as other hobbies that we grew up with. Mims believes that the si...
by Astrolaman
Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:34 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: A book I think you will enjoy
Replies: 5
Views: 754

Re: A book I think you will enjoy

I read it earlier this year on my Kindle and found it both entertaining and educational after having read Mary Roach's nonfiction book PACKING FOR MARS.
by Astrolaman
Fri May 09, 2014 12:25 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Inspiring Minds Series - Neil deGrasse Tyson
Replies: 4
Views: 530

Re: Inspiring Minds Series - Neil deGrasse Tyson

I totally enjoyed the evening. I never saw anyone use the periodic table as a tool to illustrate societal commitment to science.
by Astrolaman
Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:30 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Hello...? Sure seems quiet in here...
Replies: 18
Views: 8973

Re: Hello...? Sure seems quiet in here...

:( I can't speak for others, but I have been suffering from a bad case of AVAD (arctic vortex affective disorder), a form of SAD associated with northern locales. The only cure is abundant clear, moonless skies under conditions where snow shoes are not necessary. Talking about astronomy on forums on...
by Astrolaman
Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:49 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates
Replies: 16
Views: 3413

Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

The news, as of this morning, is that at least a part of Comet Ison made it past perihelion and could be redeveloping a coma. After having been wrong so many times on behavior of this comet, I think everyone is being very cautious about any further predictions. I can't decide whether is fun or annoy...
by Astrolaman
Tue Nov 26, 2013 10:00 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Comet ISON
Replies: 8
Views: 1106

Re: Comet ISON

According to a new update appearing today on the Sky & Telescope website, molecular emissions from Ison's nucleus have dropped off by at least 20-fold since December 21st. These measurements suggest the possibility that the comet nucleus has already disintegrated. Observations were made using t...
by Astrolaman
Mon Nov 25, 2013 4:41 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Comet ISON
Replies: 8
Views: 1106

Re: Comet ISON

According to a new update appearing today on the Sky & Telescope website, molecular emissions from Ison's nucleus have dropped off by at least 20-fold since December 21st. These measurements suggest the possibility that the comet nucleus has already disintegrated. Observations were made using th...
by Astrolaman
Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:48 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Morning comets Nov2013
Replies: 24
Views: 2716

Re: Morning comets Nov2013

I failed to see ISON this morning but saw Lovejoy quite easily using both 22x100 and 15x45 binoculars. I was at the Skyview site in French Park and there was one other observer. The light pollution right in the direction of downtown Minneapolis was bad, and the Moon didn't help either. Hi Dick, I a...
by Astrolaman
Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:47 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Morning comets Nov2013
Replies: 24
Views: 2716

Re: Morning comets Nov2013

I finally saw Ison this morning starting at about 5:45 AM for about 15 minutes before clouds drifted in. Ison looked like an fuzzy star with a bluish tint and with no indication of a tail through 11X80 binoculars. It was about about 0.5 degrees to the right of a star of about the same magnitude. Usi...
by Astrolaman
Fri Nov 15, 2013 7:58 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Morning comets Nov2013
Replies: 24
Views: 2716

Re: Morning comets Nov2013

This morning I saw Comet Lovejoy from the eastern side of Elm Creek Park through 11X80 binoculars but had to struggle to get my parallelogram mount to point that high in the sky. I was a nice, bright fuzzy that I could practically see naked eye . My luck was not as good for Ison. A combination of he...
by Astrolaman
Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:22 pm
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Double Star Observing Program
Replies: 2
Views: 525

Re: Double Star Observing Program

Thanks Bill,
My head is spinning from reading the linked article by Bill Hewitt, but it does answer my question along with your response. I will have to take my scope out one night a just play with this using double stars located in different parts of the sky.
by Astrolaman
Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:12 pm
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Double Star Observing Program
Replies: 2
Views: 525

Double Star Observing Program

I intend to participate in the Astronomical League's Double Star Program as soon as I can finish off constellation sketches for the Northern Constellation Hunter Club. I have a question for anyone who has completed the double star program. In the required double star sketches, is north based on an a...
by Astrolaman
Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:09 pm
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Public Viewing locations
Replies: 9
Views: 1350

Re: Public Viewing locations

My experience has been that most parks close at 10:00 PM, about the time that it becomes dark enough for good observing. To get around this limitation I have used the parking lot of the dog park at the north east end of Elm Creek Park. It is tolerably dark there and outside of the park proper but cl...
by Astrolaman
Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:59 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Bright Nova in Delphinus
Replies: 5
Views: 812

Re: Bright Nova in Delphinus

I just finished observing the nova in Delphinus over the last hour through 7 X 35 binoculars. Seeing conditions were poor from my backyard in Plymouth but it was easy to find with binoculars but it was not a naked eye object. Following the point of Sagitta to above the center of Delphinus, the nova ...
by Astrolaman
Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:44 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Perseid Party: Sunday, Aug 11 - Eagle Lake Observatory
Replies: 3
Views: 709

Re: Perseid Party: Sunday, Aug 11 - Eagle Lake Observatory

[quote="Ron Schmit"]Come on out and view the Perseid's from the Eagle Lake Observatory at Baylor Regional Park! We'll go from 9 PM - Midnight. Telescopes will be available to see other wonders while you scan the sky for meteors![/quote] Thanks for hosting the party last night and keeping E...
by Astrolaman
Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:31 pm
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Learning Constellations
Replies: 13
Views: 1706

Re: Learning Constellations

Sketching the main stars of constellations is a great idea because it would allow me visualize a constellation on paper before going into the dark. I have a tendency to run off the edge of the paper by not planning how everything is going to fit together. An issue that occurs to me is that the orien...
by Astrolaman
Mon May 27, 2013 10:39 am
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Learning Constellations
Replies: 13
Views: 1706

Re: Learning Constellations

Hi Jake, Your response is exactly what I was looking for because you completed the program and you know what worked for you. I will download the IAU charts for at least the constellations giving me trouble and will probably download all of them since they seem like a nice reference set. I also like ...
by Astrolaman
Sun May 26, 2013 5:43 pm
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Learning Constellations
Replies: 13
Views: 1706

Re: Learning Constellations

Thanks for the quick response, Enberg. I think my problem is that I have too many conflicting references, including an ancient copy of Rey's book, where each author has re-interpreted constellations lines to aid the observer. I just checked my copy of Guy Ottewell's the Astronomical Calendar for 201...
by Astrolaman
Sun May 26, 2013 3:28 pm
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Learning Constellations
Replies: 13
Views: 1706

Re: Learning Constellations

Because of the poor weather I have been spending a lot time learning the constellations using the French tool Apprendre les constellation suggested by Dave Falkner. I am troubled by the finding that the constellation lines used for some of the minor constellations vary from other references that I o...
by Astrolaman
Mon May 20, 2013 11:37 pm
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Learning Constellations
Replies: 13
Views: 1706

Re: Learning Constellations

After going through the first step, consisting of 27 constellations, I thought it was too easy because I only missed only Aquarius and Capricornus the first time around. Then I realized that there was a second step and was only able to identify about a third of that second group of constellations. I...
by Astrolaman
Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:48 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: 2012 DA14
Replies: 10
Views: 1175

Re: 2012 DA14

Merle had it on the C-14 monitor around 7:30 PM. I think several people tried to photograph the monitor image, including Dave F., but I didn't because my hands stopped working even though I had tucked some hand warms into my gloves. I stay just long enough to see 2012 D14 cross the screen once and t...
by Astrolaman
Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:37 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 15th Annual MM - 3 weeks away!
Replies: 2
Views: 571

Re: 15th Annual MM - 3 weeks away!

Hi Jerry,
Your links didn't work for me.
-john
by Astrolaman
Thu Nov 01, 2012 10:44 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Halloween Transit of Ganymede
Replies: 1
Views: 303

Halloween Transit of Ganymede

I got up very early on Halloween to follow the transit of Ganymede's shadow across the southern tip of Jupiter. Since I was already up I waited around the the transit of the moon itself. It took a lot longer than I had anticipated because Ganymede lingered at the edge of the planet forever so that I...