Too Cloudy? Too Windy? Check out these topics...
- Listen to astronomy! The wonderful "Astronomy Cast" Podcast - Frazier Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay. Click below or search iTunes.
Why are there Time Zones around the World?
2008 Riverside Telescope Maker's Conference and Astronomy Expo (RTMC Report)
AV Observatory's website is back up and running. Check it out here: Antelope Valley Observatory (Terry Pedroza)
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.
For more links, visit Here.
Binocular Parallelogram Mount
Rick Miseroy's famous binomount has added new features. Check them out here.
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:
M51 - Credit: Marc Simpson
What's New...
2008 Winners of the Astro-Tom astrophotography Contest:
2008 Best Deep Sky Object - Kevin Sprouse
2008 Best Solar System Object - Marko Vidovic
2008 Best Moon Image - Marc Simpson
Thank you to everyone who submitted pictures!
11/28/2008 - New Q&A Page: Ask Astro-Tom
Please E-mail me with your questions.
Would you consider yourself and "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.
Open Invitation to astro-tom.com "Regulars"
If you find yourself in the vicinity of Los Angeles or the Mojave "High Desert" around Lancaster, CA, during 2008-2009, 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!
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!
Send your site suggestions to: astro-tom
Ask an Astronomer There are answers to many, many amateur astronomy questions here. Check it out!
Thank you to Tommy Hodges, for the Astro-Tom.com site logo!
This website has information on hundreds of subjects. It is roughly divided into major categories:
Getting Started - 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 - All about them, from how to buy your first one to how to use one effectively.
Advanced Amateur Astronomy - Formulas, specifications, filters, coordinate systems, manufacturer listings, star lists, orbital calculation, deep sky observing, imaging, etc. A repository of advanced amateur information.
Technical Data - Free software downloads, observing lists, etc. - Also several biographies of famous astronomers.
Astro Links - Amateur astronomy web links. These are updated regularly.
Antelope Valley Astronomy Club (AVAC) - Info 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.
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
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