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Too Cloudy?  Too Windy?  Check out these topics...   What's New... Take a look at the many interesting links at a new "knowledge" site called Knogee (pronounced No-gee)   AV Observatory's website is back up and running.  Check it out here:  Antelope Valley Observatory (Terry Pedroza)   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. Teleport telescopes Astronomics Orion Telescopes & Binoculars Sky and Telescope The Astronomy Store The American Association of Amateur Astronomers For more links, visit Here. 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: Binocular Messier Club Deep Sky Binocular Club Southern Skies Binocular Club        New! A new Solar flare photo from new contributor Mark Vidovic can be seen in the 2008 Photo Contest Section! 2007 Photo Contest Winners 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: http://www.astronomycast.com/   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 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: Eclipses Craters Ask an Astronomer There are answers to many, many amateur astronomy questions here.  Check it out!   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       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   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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