It's been years since I was so excited by the stars -- the real stars! I used to have a large glow-in-the-dark sky map on my back porch and routinely kept an eye on the night sky. My car plate still says "Cosmic" (I'm Sirius!) Somehow busy life and other interests diverted my gaze. Well, that Star Gaze is back, Dr. Gribbin! Good thing, since chapter one (of my novel-in-progress) is all about the Jupiter Effect, Grand Alignment and John Gribbin. (Copyright, soon to be published.) The Perseid's meteor shower got my attention about a week ago. I discovered big ole Jupiter (really bright in the East sky) and that was it. I was all amped up on magnitude ! I just love blogs -- I can be as cornball as can be here. Novel writing, not so much.
What amazes me, as much as the stars and planets, is how viewing has changed. On Sky and Telescope you see a box on right side menu. For free, you can register and instantly see beautiful sky maps/chart interface (better than Google Sky, cause it's simple to use and no install.) It's full color, totally interactive and allows you to plug in your position (lat/long) or enter a city name, and print custom maps! Right below that is a link to get Planetarium software for your iPhone! I just downloaded podcasts for listening on MP3 while sky gazing! In other words, your own guided tour of the night sky, which really is 'Cruisin' the Milky Way.' Too cool!
For now, I like looking with my binoculars and will probably upgrade to a 8 x 50 pair (over my 7 x 35.) This will provide a little more magnification and larger viewing area. It's easy to get started (or refresh) and now everything you can want is online and books for free at your local library. As Carl Sagan would say there are "billions and billions" of things to see! Oh, and I'm a star now on MeteorBlog! (down and right menu, recent comments!) Soon I'll have the T (shirt) to prove it! Fun, fun, fun! (read my comments, good stuff there including FREE download info.)
4 comments:
I bought a pair of Barska 10 x 50 Wide Angle binoculars for $20!!! These were $80 before sale. Anyone have them? Practically had to wrestle down the store clerk at Big 5 to get them. He insisted it would take the $200 type to StarGaze. NOT!
10 x 50 should be perfect I'll know tonight ;)
Perfectly clear sky here in New Mexico! Fab viewing. Went for dark sky Thurs night. Heavenly! Saw Milky Way, 3 Nebula (near Scorpion and "teapot" in S sky) and of course, moons of Jupiter, plus gobs of other stars. All of that with my 7 x 35 "birders." Think what improvement these big wide angle binos should be!
The Barskas work fine for my purpose. Any more magnification would require a tripod to hold steady. These provide ten times naked eye viewing and a nice wide field of vision. I like them! I also created a Star Wheel for free compliments of my fav
Sky and 'Scope site. That link gives you access to the Interactive night sky charts, too. What a great thing!
Well, it's cloudy now for a few days, which means plenty of time to read up on the books and sites before the next viewing session.
Hey, Astro and Meteor Boyz... comment, please!
OMG -- this is exactly what I saw at Isleta Lakes: Nebulas in the Sag "Teapot"!! It was almost this fabulous and I saw it with the binos!!
NOTE: that link may only show my Milky Way view through end of August. If you're seeing this in September, it will be the current "week at a glance" star stuff.
Stellarium rocks! On my Dell laptop (much newer than my ancient PC) it zooms in on planets and nebula for a close examination -- just like a high powered telescope. The graphics and interface is amazing! Too Cool! Best of all, it's FREE!! Astro Geeks, it's a must:
Download Stellarium Now
So it this: the Great Look up! (it's this Friday!)
Hey, I'll quit adding my own comments, if someone else will post! Sorry, just a gal geek ;)
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