Check out Jupiter's "dark spot"

Well ain't that just dandy! A new "dark spot" on Jupiter and the weather up here is yuk!!!
I've seen all the photos of the impact and the resulting (and enlarging) dark spot but I just haven't made the effort to get up and check it out. Man, this is one of those blah New England summers. And, naturally, when I get up to check out Jupiter it'll cloud over or I'll be someplace without my telescope! I always tell people that, among other things, amateur astronomy teaches patience!

Finally, sun spots worth looking at!

We had a family get-together and the weather gave us a break from the damp, gloomy weather we thought might just turn out to be our summer routine. I took the opportunity to show a few of our younger (and even a few older) kids the latest sun spots "marching" across the sun's surface. The last time I observed sun spots was two years ago, when I first purchased the (white light) solar filter.
Looking at sun spots through a white light filter doesn't have the grand appearance as a Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) filter but when you mention that the sun spots are typically as large as our very own Earth, you usually get a hint of excitement out of the first time solar observers. However, if you're patient and can sit at the eyepiece for several minutes, you can pick out subtle changes and movement in the sun spots. Our brief time at the eyepiece was a welcome treat that I hope will be a hint of the ebbing Solar minimum.

Just who is Professor Cosmo Q. Redshift

As a member of the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in Massachusetts, I took a special liking to Club offered "Star Parties." My background as an educator has given me a fair understanding of just how to motivate young learners to take an interest in learning. In a manner of speaking, I opted for the "fun" approach to catch their interest. "Star parties" are offered to groups, schools, etc. as part of our club charter. So, the Professor Cosmo Q. Redshift persona was developed while preparing for a large "star party" audience made up of 4th graders. The "Professor" hails from "The Starry Night University." His name, Cosmo originated from the word Cosmos. "Q." was offered by a fellow club member. You may know "Q." as a character on an '80's Sci-fi serial. Finally, "Redshift" is from the color shift astronomers use to measure star travel away or toward the Earth. The Professor had to have "refined" maturity, hence the white hair. His dark glasses help preserve his eyes for "night vision," and a red light hung around his neck is a must for any night time observer. Finally, all scientists must have a "signature" shop coat adorned with stitched on "glow in the dark" galactic objects!
Walking out to a group of children as Professor Cosmo Q. Redshift is a truly rewarding and fun filled evening for me. I'd like to think the "Professor" has sparked an interest in amateur astronomy for many of the "kids" (young and old) he has invited to an evening of "star gazing!"

Missed it again!

Darn! I missed my chance at catching a glimpse of the latest sunspot, 1019. Weather, clouds and even some laziness cost me the chance to take a look at one of the few sunspots that have formed on our "quiet" sun for over a year.
Every Amateur Astronomer learns very quickly that this hobby teaches "patience." The other thing I just learned is, celestial events don't wait for anybody!
Keep looking up!

There's activity on the sun's surface!

Finally, check out http://spaceweather.com/, sunspot #1019 is moving across the sun's surface in the sun's northern hemisphere. Time for the solar filter! I should remind everyone that you should NEVER look at the sun without a proper solar filter. There are two types of solar filters that are most popular with astronomers; a white light solar filter and a hydrogen-Alpha filter. If you'd like to see the sun through a properly filtered telescope simply search the local Amateur Astronomy Clubs in you local area. The Clubs offer public and solar observing "Star Parties" when sky conditions are good. If you're interested in a celestial telescope, I'd recommend visiting with your local club to research the type and size of instrument you might like to own.Now, let's see, it's been so long since I last set up my telescope, what do I do first??

Conditions are getting better for observing!

Temperatures are moderating and we're beginning to see a clear sky. But, now that summer is moving in on us, we also gain more sunlight and shorter nights of observing. The other aspect of the summer sky in the Northern Hemisphere is that we also have a much longer twilight! A good night of observing in a dark sky may not start until after 10:00 p.m. Then, the dawn begins to brighten around 3 or 4 a.m. Grrrrr! Oh, we also begin to "share" the night with... the bugs! It's observing at it's "best!" The smell of insect repellent, the buzz of a gazillion "blood suckers" along with the familiar "swatting" and an occasional cuss to ward off the bugs by your fellow observers. Ain't summer star gazing wonderful? In spite of all of this, we've got galaxies, globular clusters, open clusters, double stars, a planet or two, nebula, a host of summer constellations and a heap of "fuzzies" to "star hop." At least we don't need to look like the "Pilsbury Dough boy" dressed for the cold!

Enjoy!

I was just thinking!

The sun is quiet. Just one tiny sun spot to hunt down and it's cloudy! My telescope has been stuck in it's case for what seems like months. The central Florida night sky is so light polluted I'm lucky to find the major constellations. Those of you in dark sky locations are really fortunate. NH has passed a "Dark Sky Bill" and so has a few MA cities and/or towns. Across America people are beginning to really listen to all the night sky lovers and everyone will ultimately benefit from less light pollution. In the long run the newer, more efficient lighting systems are more economical, last longer and provide more "beneficial" lighting, meaning much less glare and darker skies. Times are very difficult currently. Give yourself and your family a few moments of "me time" and go outside on a clear night well after sunset with a chair (perhaps with a pair of binoculars) and sit back and look up. Let your eyes digest the darkened dome and splash of stars above you. Let your mind wander as you did as a child. Watch for patterns, "shooting stars" and satellites. As you look deep into the darkness consider the great distances and sizes of the tiny lights you see. This tiny "rock" that we call home is incredibly small in comparison to every star you can see. Then consider how special we must be to be able to watch as the Universe in all of its glory "goes" by each night.

The perigee Moon of 2009

January 11, 2009
So long “Big Fella”

I hope many of you managed to see the “perigee Moon” a few nights ago (Jan. 10). The Moon was its biggest and brightest of 2009. We’ll have to wait until sometime next year for another chance to see it at it’s closest to Earth. Pat and I got to see it last night after work.
There’s also a tiny gathering of sun spots to watch creep across the surface of the sun. (Just remember; never look at the sun without the aid of a proper solar filter.)
We also had another evening with our Canadian friends. The Moon was too bright to see much else but we’re all looking forward to the New Moon coming up.
We’ve been enjoying some terrific weather while the North seems to be getting “one-two punches” week after week.
Till next time.

Keeping busy and a new comer to the eyepiece!

January 7, 2009
How did we ever get anything done while we were working?
All the appointments, household repairs, shopping, etc. were packed into a small part of our work day. Now, it takes us nearly the entire morning to get up, have a coffee, take a walk, maybe take in a little shuffleboard and plan the day. An errand to the store takes us an afternoon! What’s up with that? Our days go by like water through a broken dam. To top it off, it seems like all we do is plan our days around eating! Yikes! The campground offers an evening meal, an afternoon BBQ, and more than a couple of ice cream deserts over the course of each week. Between our meals, we’re on the go or taking part in park activities.
Recently, I’ve connected with a family from Canada and held an impromptu “Star Party” for their daughter, Tanya. We had more than a little fun trying to decipher each other’s language as I pointed out several celestial objects in my telescope. The brief time under the stars was exciting for Tanya and her Mom regardless of our language barrier. The moon, Venus, Jupiter, double stars, the Owl Cluster and even the Great Orion Nebula all seemed so new and unique to my new guests at the eyepiece.
The next day I loaned Tanya “The Nightwatch” by their fellow Canadian, Terrance Dickenson. Aside from the text being in a foreign language to them, Tanya, her Mom and Dad visually devoured the pictures and maps in the book for the next two days. I then spent an hour or so showing them a few astronomy websites and made suggestions to help Tanya with her new found interest in Amateur Astronomy. I plan to do more “Sidewalk Astronomy” with them throughout their stay here at the park.
Introducing people to the wonders of the night sky is by far one of the most rewarding aspects of Amateur Astronomy. It’s all free for the taking. I hope Tanya will remember her first night at the eyepiece for the rest of her life.
Keep looking up,
Dave