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Astro-tom.com is dedicated to amateur astronomy
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Astro Tom, Astrotom, astrotom.com, astro_tom, astro_tom.com
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Too Cloudy? Too Windy? Check out these topics...
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What's
New...
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Take a look at the many interesting
links at a new "knowledge" site called Knogee
(pronounced No-gee) |
The Starhoppers 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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New!
A new Solar flare photo from new contributor
Mark Vidovic can be seen in the 2008
Photo Contest Section!

Congratulations to Dana Hall, Marc Simpson and Eric
Jacob!!
See
the winning photos here

Amateur astronomy podcasts, including shows
on "How Amateurs Can Contribute to Astronomy" and "The
Size of the Universe"
can be found here:

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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. |
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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 consider dropping by and observing the stars with the
Antelope Valley Astronomy Club. If you're traveling light, we'll
have equipment you can use at our star parties (if you'll call ahead of
time, we can reserve a 6", 8" or 10" Dob 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!

Thank you to
Tommy
Hodges, San Antonio, Texas, for the Astro-Tom.com site
logo!
Lunar Observation Parties
Our Moon is amazing to look at
and can be observed from the center of the city. Why not encourage your astronomy club to hold a Lunar Party
around the time of the first Quarter Moon and invite the public?
The first view of craters on the will be remembered forever.
Here are a couple of links to get you
started:
Ask
an Astronomer There are answers to many, many
amateur astronomy questions here. Check it out!
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| Jupiter |
Occultation of Saturn by the Moon
(Credit - Marc Simpson, 2007) |
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
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This website has information on hundreds of subjects. It is roughly divided into
major
categories:
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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!)
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Telescopes - All
about them, from how to buy your first one to how to use one effectively.
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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.
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Technical
Data - 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. |
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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.
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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

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