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Getting Started
Telescopes
Technical Data
Messier Objects
Time
Tips and Advice
Projects
AVAC
Site Information

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New Search Function (IN WORK) Astro-Tom Site

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.

Woodland Hills Camera and Telescopes
Agena Astro
High Point Scientific
Sky and Telescope Magazine
Astronomy Magazine

For more links, visit Here.

Setting Circles Explained

Why are there Time Zones around the World? Information On astronomical terms, sun calculators, solar energy information, moon phases, etc.

Miscellaneous

Rick Miseroy's famous binomount has added new features. Check them out here.

What Can I See Through A Telescope? A great article by Donald Waid on his website.

Messier Deep Sky Observing

Ask an AstronomerThere are answers to many, many amateur astronomy questions here.



Telescope Equations

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.


Would you consider yourself an "advanced beginner"? Here are several helpful tips to vastly improve your evening under the stars.

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 - For cloudy evening reading.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) 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.

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