Getting Started
Telescopes
Technical Data
Messier Objects
Time
Tips and Advice
Projects
AVAC
Site Information
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astronomy, telescope, binocular, star, moon, galaxy, astro Tom, Astrotom, astrotom.com,
astro_tom, astro_tom.com, astro-tom, astro-tom.com
New Search Function (IN WORK) Astro-Tom Site
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Astro-Tom.com Website Update
Welcome Back! It's been a long time coming, but as of October, 2026, every single page of the site has been reviewed, updated with current information, all of the links have been refreshed, and the accuracy of the reference data has been checked for currency.
The site has intentionally kept the look and feel of the original site, started as a simple 10 page web reference 30 years ago. While there may be small issues remaining, I hope that you'll reach out and let me know where the site can continue to be improved and corrected.
The "Intro to Amateur Astronomy Classes" now links to videos on amateur astronomy subjects from the use of planispheres to Which Telescope to Buy Check them out here. These are links where I have found amateur astronomy related items and I'm not recommending one site over another.
Miscellaneous
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Useful Formulas for Understanding the Night Sky

Telescope Equations:
http://www.rocketmime.com/astronomy/Telescope/telescope_eqn.html
http://www.rocketmime.com/astronomy/Telescope/MaximumMagnification.html

Q&A Page: Ask Astro-Tom
Also, please feel free to e-mail me with your questions.
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 - For cloudy evening reading.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
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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 at takoonce@aol.com if you find anything incorrect.
I hope that you'll find this site a useful reference. Clear Skies!/font>

Please bookmark this page and visit often as this site is frequently updated.

10/10/2026
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