Science & Reason on Facebook: tinyurl.com NASA Astronomy Pictures Of The Day [Week 4/2010] --- Please subscribe to Science & Reason: • www.youtube.com • www.youtube.com • www.youtube.com • www.youtube.com --- ? Annular Eclipse Over Myanmar A hole crossed the Sun for a few minutes, as seen across a thin swath of planet Earth. The event on January 15 was actually an annular solar eclipse, and the hole was really Earth's Moon, an object whose dark half may appear even darker when compared to the tremendously bright Sun. The Moon was too far from Earth to create a total solar eclipse, but instead left well placed observers with a bright surrounding circle called the ring of fire. • antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov ? Kemble's Cascade An asterism is just a recognized pattern of stars that is not one the 88 official constellations. For example, one of the most famous (and largest) asterisms is the Big Dipper within the constellation Ursa Major. But this pretty chain of stars, visible with binoculars towards the long-necked constellation of Camelopardalis, is also a recognized asterism. Known as Kemble's Cascade, it contains about 20 stars nearly in a row. • antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov ? Messier 88 Charles Messier described the 88th entry in his 18th century catalog of Nebulae and Star Clusters as a spiral nebula without stars. Of course the gorgeous M88 is now understood to be a galaxy full of stars, gas, and dust, not unlike our own Milky Way. In fact, M88 is one of the brightest galaxies in ... Video Rating: 4 / 5
Astronomy Binoculars - A Great Alternative to a Telescope
The telescope is the most essential tool for any astronomer whether he/she is an amateur or a professional. If you have decided to pursue your passion in astronomy, you may be wondering what one to buy. Sure enough, the best gadgets will offer you a crystal clear view of the heavens for your
Celestron Nexstar 130: The Telescope For Astronomy Beginners
I am starting my astronomy classes and part of the things needed for an astronomy class is a telescope. Actually, my teacher is not making it compulsory for us to own one, but I really would like to have the best and first class experience when there is a need for us to study a particular
Anyone who has used a binocular telescope or even wide-field binoculars to look at the night sky will know just how breathtakingly beautiful the view can be when you observe with both eyes.Observing galaxies and nebulae with ‘regular’ prismatic binoculars is just a beginning. Binocular eyepieces and adapters can be added to almost any commercially-made astronomical telescope, and of course specialized astronomical binoculars can be assembled or purchased complete. These range from modest instruments to giants that are basically two large telescopes mounted together.Binocular Astronomy contains everything you’ll need to know about this exciting branch of astronomical observing.Understanding the physics and physiology of binocular visual astronomy is followed by an in-depth description of how to choose, test, and buy the best equipment. Details of care and maintenance, mounting, and using binocular telescopes follow. Finally, Steve Tonkin presents introductory lists of some of the most exciting objects for 2-inch (50mm) and 4-inch (100mm) binoculars, complete with finder charts.Begin your own journey into binocular astronomy here!
For anyone who has tried -- and failed -- to find the Big Dipper or Orion's Belt, this information-filled reference guide is the perfect introduction to discovering the wonders of the sky. Includes computer-generated maps that simplify identification, a mini-almanac to pinpoint the planets each month as well as advice on buying and using binoculars or a telescope, even a table that explains when to watch for meteor showers.
Composite of a Series of Images Taken From Space Aboard the Station
This is a composite of a series of images photographed from a mounted camera on the Earth-orbiting International Space Station, from approximately 240 miles above Earth. Space station hardware in the foreground includes the Mini-Research Module (MRM1, center) and a Russian Progress vehicle docked to the Pirs Docking Compartment (right). Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Don Pettit said of the photographic techniques used to achieve the images: "My star trail images are made by taking a time exposure of about 10 to 15 minutes. However, with modern digital cameras, 30 seconds is about the longest exposure possible, due to electronic detector noise effectively snowing out the image. To achieve the longer exposures I do what many amateur astronomers do. I take multiple 30-second exposures, then 'stack' them using imaging software, thus producing the longer exposure." A total of 47 images photographed by the astronaut-monitored stationary camera were combined to create this composite. Image Credit: NASA Read More
