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Night Sky Observer Telescope Guide - Night Sky Observer Telescope Guide

About Telescopes

Quick history lesson - in the 16th century, a man by the name of Galileo came up with a great idea - what if he invented a device to make heavenly bodies look larger and clearer? Soon, he invented the telescope. Since then, telescopes have evolved into powerful instruments that allow us to research planets, stars, and explore the night sky like never before.

There are a lot of yeoman astronomers in America who own their own telescopes. It really is fascinating undertaking looking into the sky and studying the constellations. When you look through the lens of a telescope, you can really find out some amazing things about the world we live in.

A telescope could take you to the same moon craters visited by astronauts while seeing the constellations in all their glory. And most of these constellations, as you may know, have their own back stories, mostly originating from ancient mythology of different civilizations.

Scientists have used telescopes to make numerous discoveries and research breakthroughs. And these would include interesting new discoveries of stars, planets, solar systems and galaxies. You don't have to be interested in space necessarily to enjoy using a telescope. All you would need is a gung-ho attitude towards learning new things, particularly about our universe.

Telescopes can be large or small and expensive or not so expensive. If you are really into astronomy, you will want to have a large telescope that is rather powerful. A more affordable and easy-to-carry model would suit any casual hobbyist just starting out.

Now here's something you may find hard to believe - you can construct a telescope of your own! There are kits available at hobby stores or you can choose to make one from scratch. It can be amazingly satisfying to be able to see the stars through something that you made with your own two hands!

Everyone can enjoy the fun and rewarding hobby that telescopes can provide. Young people can learn about the brilliance of space, older people can pass on their knowledge as they continue to find more and more new and exciting discoveries with telescopes.

The universe is wide, open space that still has a ways to go before being discovered in full, and telescopes are what you need to make these discoveries. Not even great scientists and philosophers can fully comprehend the vast wonders of the universe. Operating a telescope for yourself, though, will help you realize that the cosmos is expansive indeed, even more so than you may imagine.

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Man has always been fascinated by the stars in the heavens. He has for centuries strived to find better ways of getting a clear view of the celestial bodies. These days we have highly powerful telescopes available, which can provide an amazing view of the planets. With these tips on choosing the right astronomy telescope a person will be better prepared for making this major purchase.

The larger in diameter that the lens is, the better that the overall image will be. This is one occasion when bigger is better. The larger lens will afford a stargazer the opportunity to have a clearer image and greater detail. The base size for lenses is 4 inches, of course the larger the diameter the lens has, the greater clarity and the longer the view will be.

A buyer may at first be led to believe that magnification is important to an astronomy telescopes quality. The truth is that there is very little correlation between magnification and image quality. The purpose of a telescope is to gather light from objects in space and form an image, not to magnify things.

Another fact is that magnification that is too strong will do nothing but create a useless blur. This is because the elements are not able to be focused to sharpen the magnification.

You will need to have an eye piece, which has a large eye relief. The purpose of this is to allow you to see clearly without having to have your eyes in close contact with the viewer. This means that you will be able to look through the view finder longer with less eye strain.

It's vital that you have a mount for your scope that is large, sturdy and stable. A good rule of thumb is that the larger the mount is, and the heavier that it is then the better it is for stability and thus will allow your telescope to present a sharper and more defined image when you are using it. There are a great many styles of mounts, finding the one which is best for your application is essential.

Take the time to try out a few different types of telescopes before making a final decision on the type of that you are going to buy. Borrow a few from your friends and try them out to see which one is the best option for you. You can also join a club that can help you make an informed decision about the type of telescope that you will want to buy.

Now that you have read a few of the many tips on choosing the right astronomy telescope, you are able to act on your curiosity about what lies beyond earth and maybe become the discoverer of the next great find in space.

Have a look at our article for tips on how to choose the right Astronomy Telescope. You can also get comprehensive information about how and where to find the best Astronomy Telescopes on the Internet.

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Bird watching has become a highly organized and formal activity in recent years. Although there have always been people who have watched birds it is now a formally recognized group activity. How to choose the right bird watching binoculars is important for anyone who wished to be respectfully accepted into the bosom of a club or group.

Bird watching has been a natural activity probably since the first hunters first took aim with a sling. However, it its contemporary style it is a humane and intellectual pastime. People interested in this activity are genuinely interested in learning the names and activities of the extraordinary section of the Earth's community of life.

A feature of modern society is the formalization of activities that were formerly casual and unorganized. It used to be sufficient to ride a bicycle with only a pair of trouser clips to keep loose trousers from getting in the chain. Now panoply of colourful clothes, helmets, gloves and gadgets are considered indispensable.

It is not sufficient to walk in a park, or be on a hike, or creep around sewage works where birds abound, improperly equipped One needs to be properly attired, with strong shoes, a jacket with many pockets, a floppy hat and of course the latest binoculars. This will translate a slight flutter in a bush into a brilliant little creature, perfect in every feather, poised for flight.

As in so many instances, the Internet has transformed the way in which people may pursue their interests. Not only is it possible to communicate with other people who have similar interests, but it is also possible to browse through the websites of manufacturers of binoculars to see everything that is available. After choosing what one wants, one can simply put it into a virtual cart and wait for delivery.

The size of binoculars is an important consideration. Big is not always better, especially where women are concerned.

Expeditions might take a day or longer and it can be tiresome to lug a cumbersome object in and out of a pocket every time there is a slight movement in the brush. There are neat and handy models that give as good service as their bigger brothers.

How to choose the right bird watching binoculars will depend upon the purposes which a particular person has in mind. A pair of large field glasses will suffice for the interested amateur who leaves them on the mantelpiece some that he can survey visitors to his garden through the window. For the person who undertakes expeditions to deserts and mountain ranges in order to search for rare and different species will find a small pair with high magnifications more suitable.

Check out our article on how to choose the right binoculars for bird watching . You will also get complete details on how and where to find high quality bird watching binoculars online

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Binoculars Vs Telescopes in Astronomy

binoculars vs telescopesFor the most part, when people think about astronomy they picture hobbyists with huge, mounted telescopes that have high zoom ratios, are quite expensive, and difficult to use. What most people don't realize is that a good pair of binoculars is actually the viewing tool of choice for most amateur astronomers. While both actually have their strong and weak points, knowing the differences between the two can help you decide which viewing tool you'll wind up needing for yourself.

Binoculars Vs Telescopes

First off, binoculars generally provide a wider field of vision than telescopes. The biggest advantage over a telescope is the sheer amount of sky they can show. Telescopes, however, have a very narrow field of view and only see a small patch of the sky, usually restricted to a single star or a cluster of closely packed stars. Binoculars offer a better view of your subject and the surrounding sky as well.

Second is the matter of portability. Telescopes are often mounted on tripods, are heavy, and can be difficult to carry around and set up. Binoculars are light, durable, and easy to lug around everywhere, even slung around your neck.

Third is the factor of viewing angle. Binoculars translate and expand images directly (right side up), whereas telescopes usually invert the images or reflect them off a small mirror, requiring that you view telescopes at an odd angle. This often leads to some difficulties for people who don't like bending over to view something that's actually to the left or right of what they're facing. Aiming a pair of binoculars at a desired subject is much easier because you just point the binoculars in that direction, period. This is also handy in case you want to suddenly shift your view from something you're observing to something that suddenly pops up, like a shooting star. Telescopes, being mounted, lack this agility.

Your budget

Then of course, there is the matter of your budget. A very good pair of astronomy binoculars will still cost a little bit less than an average small telescope. Good telescopes are expensive. This cost translates into durability as well; you can drop a set of binoculars on a small rock and it will probably survive the experience, but because of the weight of a telescope, having it spill off it's tripod is a sure way to schedule a trip to buy a replacement.

Lastly, you don't need the range of a telescope to view most of the things you'll be looking at in astronomy. Granted there are quite a few targets outside the range of binoculars, and these will require telescopes, but by and large things like comets, the constellations, The Moon, and other planets can be viewed comfortably with a good set of high magnification binoculars (10x-20x).

Binoculars Vs Telescopes News:

Weekend solar eclipse to project 'ring of fire' - CNN International

18 May 2012 at 7:35am
0
Sydney Morning Herald

Weekend solar eclipse to project 'ring of fire'
CNN International
Eclipse viewers can also sit among the ancient springs of the Lubbock Lake Landmark at an event hosted by the South Plains Astronomy Club. Professors, staff, students and amateur astronomers plan to gather at New...
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The 10 Best Telescopes - The Independent

16 May 2012 at 11:01pm

The 10 Best Telescopes
The Independent
It has a wide aperture that allows you to see much further and it comes with 120x magnification lens. 2. Olympus EXP SI Binoculars £153.01, play.com Why are these on the list? Well, the 10x magnification and high-contrast, UV-coated prism lenses are ...

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May sky highlights - Daily Post North Wales

16 May 2012 at 11:05am

May sky highlights
Daily Post North Wales
It is extremely bright and through binoculars or a small telescope will show a lovely crescent phase. It is moving steadily nearer to the Sun from our point of view here on Earth, ready for its transit across the disc of the Sun in June.

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backyard astronomyWhenever astronomy comes up as a topic, more often than not, people start to think of geeks beside their telescopes and numerous charts of celestial bodies that are spread out on tables. Let’s advance that picture where we see impossible mathematical calculations that are being done to determine the exact distance of those heavenly bodies. Will astronomy ever be plain Jane’s cup of tea? Well, now, it could be through backyard astronomy.

Astronomy is no longer just for the geniuses or straight-A students. In fact, even if you don’t have any knowledge on this branch of science, you could start everything by just having, first, an interest in the subject. Next to that, at least, purchase one of those simple telescopes (if you are constrained on your budget, binoculars will do for now) that would aid you in your most recent endeavor. Lastly, go to your backyard and gaze up at the night sky. ‘See all those stars? You just made your first step towards the world of astronomy! In fact, astronomers believe that the best way to begin associating with astronomy is to look at a star-filled sky with our naked eyes.

As an amateur astronomer, it is wise to begin observing the night sky with the aid of some simple tools. Don’t even begin to think of expensive telescopes and complex ways of locating stars or any other heavenly body. It is a necessity to invest on a planisphere (in layman’s terms, a star finder that rotates) where you would be able to find any star or constellation in your zone. These can often be found in astronomy magazines.

The next best thing to do is to invest in magazines. Know all of the terms in astronomy and develop a love for this branch of science. Learn of all the equipment and tools that you can use to set up your own study. Remember all those ‘idiot’ books that you can buy at a modest price? Why not buy the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Astronomy? This will tell you of all the basic things you need to know.

If you are still at a loss, bear in mind that there are several websites that can help you in making that first step towards astronomy. Help is plentiful for those of you who are really willing to seek. You see, everything, every endeavor begins with the basics. And doing a bit of backyard astronomy is a great place to start.

Backyard Astronomy News:

Dark side of the sun - Sooke News Mirror

16 May 2012 at 11:53pm

Dark side of the sun
Sooke News Mirror
UVic astronomy professor Russ Robb uses a piece of No. 14 welder's glass to safely look at the sun. Next to him is a Questar telescope. Both instruments will be available to the public at the university on Sunday, May 20 for those who want to watch a ...

and mo...
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Amateur Hour: Jack Hitt Talks About an American Tradition - New York Times (b...

16 May 2012 at 7:53pm
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New York Times (blog)

Amateur Hour: Jack Hitt Talks About an American Tradition
New York Times (blog)
... from politics to astronomy to bird watching. He writes, “American professionals have had to grow up right alongside their striving, awkward, amateur cousins in the same way that the first attemp...
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Amateur astronomers take stargazing to Kabul - BBC News

1 May 2012 at 11:17am
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BBC News

Amateur astronomers take stargazing to Kabul
BBC News
By Hannah King BBC News A campaign is being launched to take astronomy to schools, orphanages and refugee camps throughout Afghanistan. Amateur astronomers, government officials and science communicators are behind the project, which wil...
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Glossary Of Telescope Terms

telescope glossaryWhen you enter into any new area of science, you almost always find yourself with a baffling new language of technical terms to learn before you can converse with the experts. This is certainly true in astronomy both in relation to terms that refer to the cosmos and terms that describe the tools of the trade, the most prevalent being the telescope. So to get us off first base, let’s define a glossary of telescope terms to help you be able to talk to others more intelligently.

The first area of specialization in telescopes has to do with the types of telescope people use. The three designs of telescope that most people use are the Refractor, the Reflector and the Schmidt Cassegrain telescope.

  • The refractor telescope uses a convex lens to focus the light on the eyepiece.
  • The reflector telescope uses mirrors to focus the image that you eventually see.
  • The Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope uses an involved system of mirrors to capture the image you want to see.
  • A binocular telescope uses a two telescopes mounted side-by-side so your view of the sky is in 3-D.
  • A binocular viewer (or bino-viewer) sits in place of an eyepiece. It takes two eyepieces, which must be identical, and allows you to look through a telescope using both eyes instead of one.

Other terms refer to parts of the telescope or to the science behind how telescopes work.

  • Collimation is a term for how well tuned the telescope is to give you a good clear image of what you are looking at. You want your telescope to have good collimation so you are not getting a distorted image of a celestial body.
  • Aperture is a fancy word for the diameter of the telescope . But it’s an important word because the aperture is the key to how powerful your telescope is. Magnification has nothing to do with it, its all in the aperture.
  • The Focuser is the housing that holds the eyepiece of the telescope in place. The focuser travels in and out as you turn the knob to focus the image. It has to be stable and in good repair for you to have an image you can rely on.
  • Mount and Wedge. Both of these terms refer to the tripod your telescope sits on. The mount is the actual tripod and the wedge is the device that lets you attach the telescope to the mount. The mount and the wedge are there to assist you with a superior viewing session and to keep your expensive telescope safe from a fall.
  • An Altazimuth Mount refers to a basic tripod system that allows the telescope to move both horizontally (which is the azimuth) and vertically. In this way you have full range to look at things close to the horizon or directly overhead.
  • Coma has a different meaning than the one we are used to, and that’s a good thing. The coma is the blurry area on the outer rims of your view through the telescope. How big the coma is, and to what extent it interferes with your viewing, is important to the effectiveness of your telescope.
  • Planisphere. A circular star chart made of cardboard or plastic. Two discs are connected through the center, allowing one to be rotated over the other. A planisphere allows you to see what's in the sky for any given time and date. Astronomy software that does the same things has also been available for well over a decade.
  • Barlow Lens. This refers to a specialized type of lens that you can buy to enhance the magnification of your telescope. Usually double your magnification but barlows up to 5x are available.

These are just a few of the basic concepts of telescope operation. We deliberately picked the ones you have to know to discuss telescopes intelligently. But your education in the more complex aspects of astronomy and telescope design and operation will go on for as long as you are a lover of astronomy, which we hope is for the rest of your life.

Telescope News:

3-telescope interferometry allows astrophysicists to observe how black holes ...

17 May 2012 at 6:36pm
0
Eureka! Science News

3-telescope interferometry allows astrophysicists to observe how black holes ...
Eureka! Science News
The observation was led by Gerd Weigelt, a director of the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany. Hoenig described their findings as a ring of hot dust that ...
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Kepler telescope studies star superflares - BBC News

17 May 2012 at 1:39pm
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BBC News

Kepler telescope studies star superflares
BBC News
By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News Nasa's Kepler space telescope has provided fresh insight on the colossal explosions that can afflict some stars. These enormous releases of magnetic energy - known as superflares - could dama...
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Washburn telescope optics get 130-year checkup, cleaning - Phys.Org

17 May 2012 at 12:46pm

Washburn telescope optics get 130-year checkup, cleaning
Phys.Org
The lenses of the Washburn telescope were made by Alvan Clark and Sons of Cambridge, Mass., at the time one of the world's premier manufacturers of optics for astronomy: "You couldn't do better than Clark. They made all of the bigges...
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The Basics Of Buying A Telescope

buying a telescopeThere is a moment in the life of any aspiring astronomer that it when it is time to buying a telescope for the first time. It’s exciting to think about setting up your own viewing station whether that is on the deck of your home or having a powerful but mobile telescope set up to take to the remote countryside to really get a good shot at some breath taking star gazing.

The last thing we would want to do is to take away any of the “fun” of your hobby of astronomy because the joy of what we do as star gazers is a big part of the appeal. But unlike many other hobbies, ours is a passion of science, of learning and of discovery. And don’t kid yourself, even a hobbyist with a limited telescopic set up can see some amazing things in the sky. So let’s be sure you invest in a solid piece of equipment that you can continue to grow with as your knowledge and ability as an astronomer grows. But how do we do that?

Meet The Geeks

Now we use the term “telescope geeks” lovingly because any of us who are devoted to our love of astronomy eventually become telescope geeks. And these are the type of people who will know exactly how to evaluate your needs in terms of where you are right now and where you want to go as your hobby grows with you. So if you have not yet associated with a local astronomy club, now is the time to do it.

Start rubbing elbows with people who live and breathe telescopes. Their input is a hundred times more reliable than what a sales brochure or that salesman might have to say because the “telescope geeks” have been where you are, made the mistakes and are eager to help you avoid those same mistakes.

Size Matters When Buying A Telescope

In the world of telescopes, the sales people try to baffle us with all the bells and whistles of their hottest selling model. One of the big check points that is often pushed is the magnification of the telescope. While that is a factor that is worth noting, when it comes to a telescope, the old phrase “size matters” is a good guideline.

Just remember that your telescope works best when it takes in the most light it can from the object you are viewing. So the wider the diameter of the 'scope (i.e. the bigger its aperture), the better a view you are going to get. So don’t fall for the magnification salespitch. Carefully evaluate the telescope's size so you have the right fit for what you want to do.

It Has To Stand On Its Own Feet

If you are going to set up a permanent telescope station, then you can bolt the unit down so it is well supported. But many of us have to take our telescopes out into the country for optimum use. So the stand has to be strong and flexible so we can set up the telescope on uneven turf but still feel secure that this important and expensive piece of equipment is going to stand on its own without fear of it falling over during our observation time.

We already mentioned strong and flexible as evaluation guides for the telescope stand, but add in ease of use as well. You have to be able to set your telescope up and break it down quickly and easily when you are at a remote site. You may even find yourself setting up or taking down your telescope in the dark or by lantern or flashlight if you are taking advantage of a dark sky site that make this hobby so exciting.

These are the basics of what to look for when buying a telescope. Finally, make sure the telescope can be enhanced and expanded without having to replace it with something completely new. You want your telescope to grow as your knowledge and skills grow. If your first telescope meets all of these requirements, you are off on the right foot on a long and enjoyable career as an amateur astronomer.

Buying A Telescope News:

May sky highlights - Daily Post North Wales

16 May 2012 at 11:05am

May sky highlights
Daily Post North Wales
It is extremely bright and through binoculars or a small telescope will show a lovely crescent phase. It is moving steadily nearer to the Sun from our point of view here on Earth, ready for its transit across the disc of the Sun in June.

Read more...

Best Telescopes for Beginners | Telescope Reviews & Buying Guide - Space.com

15 May 2012 at 3:31pm

Best Telescopes for Beginners | Telescope Reviews & Buying Guide
Space.com
For me, few experiences magnify this emotion like observing through a first-class telescope. Owning a truly great 'scope – and figuring out where to point it– was out of my reach until quite recently. But, thanks to digitall...
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Meade StarNavigator 102 Review | Buy Best Telescopes for Beginners - Space.com

15 May 2012 at 3:13pm

Meade StarNavigator 102 Review | Buy Best Telescopes for Beginners
Space.com
Galileo Galilei didn't invent the telescope. That honor (or at least the first patent application, in 1608) belongs to Hans Lippershey, a German/Dutch optician. The stars weren't on Lippershey's mind. He was looking for a ...
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Astronomy For Beginners

astronomy for beginnersSince ancient times, the human race has been fascinated with the night sky. Fortunately, technology has provided the opportunity to study it in detail. Astronomy for beginners is a rewarding and growing hobby. When starting, it's best to get a bit of advice on what equipment to buy and what to observe.

Find out what's going to be visible in your area. Of course, you can always rely on The Moon. Even with a small telescope, you can see a lot of detail and it's a big bright object. A small telescope will also be more than adequate for viewing Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn but a high-power eyepiece will help. Aside from the Sun and Moon, Venus is the brightest object and is a favorite subject in astronomy for beginners.

The world of telescopes can seem a baffling one but choosing one, even within a limited budget, is quite straightforward. Don't be tempted by cheap models that boast very high magnification. It is a common misconception that magnification is the most important feature. The brightness and sharpness of the image is not achieved by the magnification and most observations are seen at under 50x magnification. It is the optics that will determine good results.

Most amateurs buy a reflector or a refractor telescope and these are affordable by most people embarking on astronomy as a hobby. As far as optics are concerned, the wider the aperture, the more the image will be sharp and bright. A steady mount is also essential. Even a very expensive telescope can't do its job if the tripod isn't of good quality. There will be too much vibration to observe properly.

In addition to using telescopes, many astronomers like to take pictures of what they see. This is called Astrophotography and there is no reason why amateurs can't get involved. Beginners in astronomy can embrace this technology too. The first decision is to choose an off-the-shelf digital camera or a dedicated CCD camera. Some amateur astronomers choose CCD cameras because they're dedicated to the task of imaging and provide superior results as a general rule. A compact digital camera can't produce long exposures but a digital SLR can, though they do drain the battery. However, digital may be the ideal choice for the beginner because it can cope perfectly well with photographing bright objects such as the Moon and closest planets. Also, the image taken can be viewed straight away. Again, a decent tripod is vital to combat unwanted vibration of the equipment.

There are several good books on the subject of astronomy for beginners with star charts and guides to the constellations and so forth. They include Astronomy for Beginners by Jeff Becan, Beginners Guide to Astronomy by Patrick Moore, and Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno and Dan M.Davis.

Astronomy For Beginners News:

Astronomers from all over show up for Canyon party - Arizona Daily Star

17 May 2012 at 7:12am

Astronomers from all over show up for Canyon party
Arizona Daily Star
Visitors explore the night sky on Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and on the North Rim with the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix. "It's just grown and grown and grown. It has ...
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Taking amateur astronomy a notch higher - Deccan Herald

16 May 2012 at 8:01pm

Taking amateur astronomy a notch higher
Deccan Herald
Astronomy is not everyone's cup of tea. But for Akshay Kumar, a literally star-struck 17-year-old City college student, amateur astronomy has been a passion. Driven by the passion, he chose to start a collective called Sheraton Astronomy Club.

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IIT-Kanpur students make in-house planetarium - Times of India

16 May 2012 at 7:50pm

IIT-Kanpur students make in-house planetarium
Times of India
KANPUR: The students of Astronomy Club of IIT-Kanpur have made country's first student made in-house planetarium. A year-long effort by 20 students of the Astronomy Club of IIT-Kanpur has made the dream project of the club come true.

and m...
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astronomy binocularsAll of us would probably want to spend time gazing at the stars. Do it a couple of times and it can eventually turn into a serious activity or a hobby. It's not that hard to fall into the habit. But looking at the stars is not as easy as just looking up with the naked eye. You will need the right equipment to help you to better explore the skies.

Some hobbyists would say that astronomy binoculars are better than telescopes especially for a beginner. It is, after all, more natural for people to gaze and observe with the use of two eyes rather than with just one. Binoculars have wider view which makes stars, constellations and others easier to find. They are easier to carry compared with telescopes since they are lighter and smaller.

In addition to this, stargazers prefer binoculars because they are more affordable than a telescope. For parents, it is easier for their pockets to buy binoculars for their kids, especially if children are not into serious stargazing yet. If ever they lose interest with astronomy, the binoculars you bought will not be a waste. they can still be used for other activities like bird watching and sports watching or even in watching plays in theaters.

When choosing astronomy binoculars, here are some things that you should keep in mind.

  • Binoculars that will be used for astronomy should have larger diameters, at least 40 millimeters (mm) in size. This size makes the images brighter. To check the diameter of the binoculars, it is the second number displayed on the binoculars. For example, 10x40, the diameter is the second number. The first number refers to the magnification power of the equipment.
  • For the magnification, it is better to get a pair that can magnify at least 7 times. It would be better to get something which would not magnify things more than 10 times. A higher magnification would mean that the shaking of your hand would be visible and it can be difficult to get a sharp image if that is the case. If you are planning to get something higher than a 10-magnification power, then it is advisable to get a tripod to help steady the equipment.
  • Another important feature to consider when purchasing astronomy binoculars is the exit pupil. You will get the exit pupil figure by dividing the diameter by the magnification. For example, the 10x40 binoculars would have an exit pupil of 4mm. What is exit pupil? It can be seen by observing when the darkness makes the pupils dilate to let in more light. A 15 year old would have dark-adapted pupil of 5 to 9mm. It would decrease after turning 25 years old. At 30 years old, the dark-adapted pupil will be 0.5mm. When getting astronomy binoculars, the exit pupil should match with the dark-adapted pupil. If not, the images will appear darker.
  • The field of view is also important. This can be seen on the binoculars and would refer to how wide an object will be when the field is viewed. Binoculars with 7x has a field of about 5 to 7 degrees. There are also wider models which could show as much as 8 to 10 degrees of field.

Other aspects of astronomy binoculars may matter when deciding on what model to buy such as waterproofing, the weight, the rubber cover, the eye cups and others. You will also have to consider the price. One thing is for sure with binoculars, the higher the price is, the better the features are and the sharper the images.

Astronomy Binoculars News:

Shanghai Astronomical Museum - China Daily

17 May 2012 at 7:54am
0
China Daily

Shanghai Astronomical Museum
China Daily
The "Far East's First" 40cm binocular refracting optical telescope was installed on the mountain top. In the past 100-plus years, it has taken more than 7000 precious astronomical photos. In 2000, the "Time Museum" of the workstation was opened to...
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Taking amateur astronomy a notch higher - Deccan Herald

16 May 2012 at 8:01pm

Taking amateur astronomy a notch higher
Deccan Herald
Astronomy is not everyone's cup of tea. But for Akshay Kumar, a literally star-struck 17-year-old City college student, amateur astronomy has been a passion. Driven by the passion, he chose to start a collective called Sheraton Astronomy Club.

Read more...

Amateur astronomers to boost hazardous asteroids hunt - Zee News

15 May 2012 at 3:51pm
0
Zee News

Amateur astronomers to boost hazardous asteroids hunt
Zee News
So ESA is turning to amateur astronomers to 'crowdsource' observations as part of Europe's contribution to the global asteroid hunt. These efforts will add to the follow-up observations already done at ESA's own telescope on Ten...
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The History Of Astronomy

history of astronomyIf you have a passion for star gazing, telescopes, the Hubble Space Telescope and the universe and this thing we call “astronomy”, you are far from alone. Of course, we know that history of astronomy is peppered with the most amazing accomplishments of the twentieth century (and the 21st century has started out well too!). On top of that, it is a thriving area of fascination and one of the most exciting hobby areas going, with thousands of astronomy clubs and tens of thousands of amateur astronomers watching the stars every night just like we do.

But did you know that astronomy is one of the oldest and most respected sciences of them all? As far back as before the time of Christ, the wise and thinking people of civilizations of the time were looking at the stars and finding ways to track and chart them. We who love the hobby of astronomy can chart a proud history of astronomers that extends back millennia and through virtually every culture and civilization. So for the sake of having some really good trivia to toss around at astronomy club next week, let’s highlight some of the big moments in the history of astronomy.

For many centuries, the science of astronomy was not distinct from the practice of astrology. For clarity, astronomy is the study of the stars, planets, and the universe with a clearly scientific approach. Astrology (long debunked) is the "study" of the zodiac signs and how they influence our growth, our personalities and our daily lives. In modern times we, as people of science, discount the astrological side and focus on the astronomy of the heavens. But they were one discipline for millennia before the age of science made them separate.

There is historical evidence that astronomy was a recognized science as far back as the Babylonian civilization hundreds of years before Christ. But the study of the stars was not limited to one country. There were similar movements going on in South America, China, India, and Ancient Egypt and all over the Arabian Peninsula. The integration of astronomy and religion is so prevalent that we see it in the Christmas story in which the Magi, a Zoroastrian priesthood probably from the equivalent of ancient Syria, followed a star to the Christ child. These astronomers were also astrologers and it was that mixture that lead them to be part of this historic event.

The first book on astronomy was written by Ptolemy during the Greek empire. Since that historic publication, the "Who’s Who" list of great astronomers charts a path right through the center of modern science including Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Sir Issac Newton, Jung, Michelangelo, Benjamin Franklin and more recently even Einstein and Stephen Hawking would join that noble list. It seemed that from the renaissance on to this day, virtually any man or woman of intellect dabbled in astronomy at least somewhat and it has always been considered a sign of the learned to know about the universe and things astronomical.

Astronomy has had an impact on so many areas of our lives that we really don’t recognize. Many words in our language had their roots in astronomy such as...

  • Influenza, which comes from the Latin root word for influence. This reflects an early belief that the position of The Moon and stars may influence health and cause or cure disease.
  • Disaster, which comes from the Latin for “bad star”.
  • Lunatic, which has the root word "Luna" in it which is the Latin word for moon. This highlights the long held belief, that is even prevalent today, that irrational behavior and even wild and dangerous things happen during a full moon.

Astronomy and its interrelationship with astrology has also influenced culture, education and religion to a very large extent over the centuries. In the English language, the first two days or our week, Sunday and Monday are a reference to astronomy as their literal interpretations would be “The Day of the Sun” and “The Day of the Moon.”

So if you have found astronomy becoming a consuming passion in your thoughts and what fascinates you about the world we live in, you are in great company as this area of study has been a major part of culture and thought virtually since the dawn of civilization. The history as astronomy is rich and detailed and astronomy will continue to fascinate mankind for as long as those beautiful stars shine over our heads.

History Of Astronomy News:

History flows through Lava Beds Monument - McMinnville News-Register

18 May 2012 at 4:30am

History flows through Lava Beds Monument
McMinnville News-Register
Inquire about special summer activities, such as the Timeline Living History event, Astronomy Day and Night Sky event, and Junior Ranger Day. Spelunkers will love the monument with its caves to explore on their own or on ranger-guid...
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Crossroads at Big Creek: Spider secrets among Festival of Nature programs - G...

16 May 2012 at 6:55pm

Crossroads at Big Creek: Spider secrets among Festival of Nature programs
Green Bay Press Gazette
Astronomy Campus; use the Utah Street at Cove Road entrance to Crossroads. An audio recording of Rick Whitt interviewing former Sturgeon Bay Mayor Stanley Greene for Greene's series on WDOR radio on th...
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Astronomy: On the track of the transit - Nature.com

16 May 2012 at 5:01pm
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Daily Mail

Astronomy: On the track of the transit
Nature.com
Nowadays, the distance to the Sun has been securely established by other methods (including radar), but the transits remain rare touristic occasions, and writing about their history has become a cottage industry. Two excellent accounts are...
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History Of Astronomy Videos:

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