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Astro-Tom Site
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Too Cloudy? Too Windy?
For observations?? Check out these topics... |
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When you're
starting out with your new german equatorially-mounted telescope,
getting the telescope aligned, it may be challenging to get a
picture in your mind of how the alignment works. I've recently
expanded the
Polar Alignment section with Q&A that I've had over the last
six months. |
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Arm
yourself with the info in this NASA link to scientifically address
the Star Party question that will be coming up more and more...
"Will
the world End in 2012?" |
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Updated
"Constellations"
page with better explanation of why the Big Dipper looks like it does
from Earth and revised stellar distances for each component star. (Thank
you to Ray Hall, CSU, Fresno) |
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Why are there Time
Zones around the World? Information
on astronomical terms, sun calculators, solar energy information,
moon phases, etc.
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The
Starhopper's Guide to the Herschel 400
An excellent tool for the deep sky
enthusiast and a must-have for those attempting the Astronomical
League's Herschel 400 Observe Program. Click
Here for Ordering info. James was at RTMC as a vendor.
Great to meet you face-to-face James!
The "Intro to Amateur Astronomy
Classes" now contain 6 videos on amateur astronomy subjects
from Planispheres to Which Telescope to Buy. Enjoy! Check
them out here.
These are links where I
have found amateur astronomy related items. I'm not recommending site one over
another.
Binocular Parallelogram Mount
Rick Miseroy's famous binomount has added
new features. Check them
out here.
Setting
Circles Explained
Binoculars
Do you have binoculars? Here's
a website dedicated to observing the night sky with regular
binoculars. You'll be surprised how much you can see! Give
it a try! There are also three dedicated binocular observing clubs
offered by the Astronomical
League:
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Open Invitation to astro-tom.com users |
If you find yourself in the vicinity of Los
Angeles or the Mojave "High Desert" around Lancaster, CA, please consider dropping by and observing the stars with the
Antelope Valley Astronomy Club. If you're traveling light, we'll
have FREE equipment you can use at our star parties (if you'll call ahead of
time, we can reserve a 6", 8" or 10" Dobsonian telescope,
10" Schmitt-Cassegrain telescope, and more for you, with
eyepieces!) Our dark sky parties are a blast and are social as
well as astronomical experiences. You'll never feel like an
"outsider" at one of our star parties! It's a great
group of people who would like to meet you and exchange ideas, observing
techniques, or just help you pick out the Andromeda Galaxy for the first
time. Visit the Antelope Valley
Astronomy Club's website
for the current calendar and telephone contact info, or you may e-mail me with your
questions! Be sure to tell them "astro-tom" invited you!
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What's
New...
Astronomy - What's Up This Month -
Learnwhatsup.com
Monthly updates on astronomical events, star charts for the month, photos, and
more.
Astro
Gear
If
you were reasonably new to amateur astronomy, had gone to a few star
parties and already had a pair of binoculars, how would you spend $500
USD on astronomy gear to get the best "all around" setup for
viewing the Moon, planets, and deep-sky? Assume you have no
telescope, eyepieces, filters, red light flashlights, etc.
Send
your list of equipment and estimated prices to me and we'll assemble a
recommendations list for the other users of the site. Thanks!
Please E-mail me
If
you're already involved in amateur astronomy community outreach at
schools, showing children the sky with your telescope, are you
interested in a simple way to "give back" to the to the less
fortunate throughout the world?
Click
on this link:
I
think that you'll be impressed with the vision of this
non-profit foundation.
Q&A Page: Ask
Astro-Tom
Please E-mail me with your
questions.
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Would you consider yourself an
"advanced beginner"? If so, there are many
other astro-tom.com users who share your level of interest in
the night sky and wonder how to use their own eyes to see what
they've seen in pictures. Here are several helpful
tips to vastly improve your evening under the stars. |
Miscellaneous
What
Can I See Through A Telescope? A great article by Donald Waid
on his website.
Astrophotos by fellow AVAC
member Tom Varden See
Tom Varden's Latest Astrophoto's!
Summer
Deep Sky Observing
Ask
an Astronomer There are answers to many, many
amateur astronomy questions here. Check it out!
Send your site suggestions to:
astro-tom
Thank you to
Tommy
Hodges, for the Astro-Tom.com site
logo!
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| This website has information on hundreds of subjects. It is roughly divided into
major
categories: |
| Getting
Started
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What you should know - This is a great way to spend a cloudy
evening. If it's clear outside, turn off your computer, go outside, and
just look up to get started! |
| Telescopes
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All
about them, from how to buy your first one to how to use one effectively.
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| Advanced Amateur Astronomy
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Formulas, specifications, filters, coordinate systems, manufacturer
listings, star lists, orbital calculation, deep sky observing, imaging, etc.
A repository of advanced amateur information.
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| Technical
Data
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Free software downloads, observing lists, etc. - Also several biographies of famous astronomers.
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| Astro Links |
Amateur
astronomy web links. These are updated regularly. |
| Antelope Valley
Astronomy Club (AVAC)
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nfo on the club and a resource of all
information handout sheets, club calendar, presentations and the online, "Introduction
to the Night Sky" amateur astronomy course. |
| Site
Information
|
The Site Map, Change Log of site changes, About
Astro-tom.com, awards the site has won.
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Notice: This information has been assembled from new material, non-copyrighted material and
non-copyrighted
public websites. It is freely presented to increase your enjoyment of amateur
astronomy. Effort has been put into verifying the accuracy
of the information contained within these pages. Please notify me if you find
anything
incorrect. I hope that you'll find this site a useful reference. Clear
Skies! - astro-tom.com
Thank you for making this
your Amateur Astronomy Homepage!
Please bookmark this
page (Ctrl-D) and visit often as this site is frequently updated. Thank you for visiting!
You are also invited to link to this site from you home page.
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02/02/2013 |
