Telescopes

Telescopes

by JonathanNo Comments
The question I'm asked most frequently on cruises is, "What kind of telescope should I buy?" There's no single right answer for that question. It's the Golden Age of Telescope Gadgetry, and there's practically no limit of ways to spend your money in this hobby. The type of telescope to get will depend on many factors: Your budget What you want to see (Moon, planets, deep sky, double stars, etc.) Portability and "footprint" How familiar you are with finding your way around the sky Your expectations That being said, here are some possibilities to consider. Incidentally, I am not compensated by any telescope or gear manufacturers. And I am not necessarily recommending specific brands, although some have some unique features. "Telescope of the Year" designation is from High Point Scientific, Inc. (https://highpointscientific.com), who are a reputable and popular retailer in the US. Too Long; Didn't Read -- a Quick Suggestion If there is an astronomy club in your area, see if they have any scheduled public observing sessions. It's...
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Tag-Teaming with Eileen Collins at NEAF

Tag-Teaming with Eileen Collins at NEAF

by JonathanNo Comments
How do you summarize a whirlwind weekend at the world’s largest astronomy forum? The exhibit floor at NEAF (photo courtesy Mark Usciak) The Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) is a production of the Rockland Astronomy Club in Suffern, NY. Thousands of astronomers and space enthusiasts enjoy a weekend of lectures, workshops, and a fieldhouse full of astonishing astronomy gear at Rockland Community College. Mike Leinbach and I presented here in 2018. Eileen Collins and I were invited to speak in 2022, but the event was cancelled because of Covid. I loved seeing everything in full vibrant swing again this year when the Forum kicked off on Saturday, April 15. Andy Poniros interviews Eileen and me (photo courtesy Tony Achilles) Eileen and I began our day with an interview on Cosmic Perspective Radio with host Andy Poniros and producer Tony Achilles, two friends from many Spacefests and other space events. Eileen is a big draw wherever she goes. A crowd quickly gathered around us after the...
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Fluffy and Pointy

Fluffy and Pointy

by JonathanNo Comments
Spring can be a dull season for casual, naked-eye stargazing in the Northern Hemisphere. Broad stretches of the sky are devoid of bright stars. Dim constellations completely disappear for an observer within or near a city. For the astrophotographer, though, it’s Galaxy Season. The Virgo and Coma superclusters of galaxies, completely invisible to the naked-eye, make for rich hunting in the telescope. It’s a rare treat for a North Carolina astrophotographer to have two clear, moonless nights in the same April week. I tried to make the most of the opportunity by imaging two contrasting galaxies. First up is galaxy NGC 2403, in the constellation Camelopardalis (the Giraffe). NGC 2403 is a “flocculent” – fluffy – spiral galaxy. Its arms are alive with bright clumps, which are sites of active star formation. NGC 2403 is about 57 million light years from Earth. On the evening of April 12, I imaged the “Needle Galaxy,” NGC 4565. The Needle was the cover story for the...
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