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2002 Convention Bulletin
STELLAFANE The 67th Convention of Amateur Telescope Makers on Breezy Hill in Springfield, Vermont. Friday, August 9th and Saturday, August 10th, 2002 "For it is true that astronomy, from a popular standpoint, is handicapped by the inability of the average workman to own an expensive astronomical telescope. It is also true that if an amateur starts out to build a telescope just for fun he will find, before his labors are over, that he has become seriously interested in the wonderful mechanism of our universe. And finally there is understandably the stimulus of being able to unlock the mysteries of the heavens by a tool fashioned by one's own hand." Russell W. Porter, March 1923 -- Founder of Stellafane The Stellafane Convention is a gathering of amateur telescope makers. The Convention was started in 1926 to give amateur telescope makers an opportunity to gather, to show off their creations and teach each other telescope making and mirror grinding techniques. If you have made your own telescope, we strongly encourage you to display it in the telescope fields near the Pink Clubhouse. If you wish, you can enter it in the mechanical and/or optical competition. There are also mirror grinding and telescope making demonstrations, technical lectures on telescope making and the presentation of awards for telescope design and craftsmanship. Vendor displays and the retail sale of commercial products are not permitted. For additional information please check out the home page www.stellafane.com. Enjoy the convention! PLEASE NOTE AN IMPORTANT SCHEDULE CHANGE DURING CONVENTION: The optical judging has been re- scheduled for Friday night! There will be no optical judging Saturday night unless clouds interfere with the optical competition on Friday. -
Sky-Watcher Skyliner-300P Flextube Auto Sky-Watcher’S Latest Dobsonian Telescope Can Track the Stars So That the Views Through Its Huge Aperture Stay in the Eyepiece
AUGUST 09 FIRST LIGHT: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THIS MONTH'S HOTTEST NEW PRODUCT SKY-waTCHER Skyliner-300P FlexTube Auto Sky-Watcher’s latest Dobsonian telescope can track the stars so that the views through its huge aperture stay in the eyepiece. Paul Money takes a look VITAL STATS hen John Dobson MDF rocker base here, like the plug it into a power pack, neither created the telescope setup of some other Dobsonians. of which are supplied. > PRICE £1,099 design that bears his This is no doubt to ensure that the The Skyliner’s 1,500mm of > APERTURE 305mm (12 inches) name, he would scarcely have 300P’s axis motors stay accurately focal length collapses down to > FOCAL LENGTH 1,500mm; f/5 imagined how it would evolve installed. Instead, you just lift the just under a metre thanks to its > OpTICAL DESIGN Newtonian thanks to Sky-Watcher. First, tube assembly onto the rocker telescopically extending trusses, reflector > FINDER 9x50 straight-through the company came up with the base and the main job’s done. All making it extremely portable for > EYEPIECES 25mm, 10mm; FlexTube collapsible truss tube, that’s left is the 9x50 straight- such a large instrument. We were 1.25-inch fit which greatly improved through finderscope to assemble impressed to find no collimation > FOCUSER Crayford; 1.25- & 2-inch fit portability. Now it has added and the hand controller to install. issues, even after repeated setups. > MOUNT Motorised Dobsonian auto-tracking motors to the The 300P comes with two And with its tracking motors, we > WEIGHT 40kg FlexTube design, taking the eyepieces, a 25mm and 10mm could take decent images of the > SUPPLIER Optical Vision Dobsonian on its next great 1.25-inch fit that give 60x and Moon and planets, despite the > www.opticalvision.co.uk leap forward. -
A Guide to Smartphone Astrophotography National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Aeronautics and Space Administration A Guide to Smartphone Astrophotography National Aeronautics and Space Administration A Guide to Smartphone Astrophotography A Guide to Smartphone Astrophotography Dr. Sten Odenwald NASA Space Science Education Consortium Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland Cover designs and editing by Abbey Interrante Cover illustrations Front: Aurora (Elizabeth Macdonald), moon (Spencer Collins), star trails (Donald Noor), Orion nebula (Christian Harris), solar eclipse (Christopher Jones), Milky Way (Shun-Chia Yang), satellite streaks (Stanislav Kaniansky),sunspot (Michael Seeboerger-Weichselbaum),sun dogs (Billy Heather). Back: Milky Way (Gabriel Clark) Two front cover designs are provided with this book. To conserve toner, begin document printing with the second cover. This product is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement number NNH15ZDA004C. [1] Table of Contents Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 5 How to use this book ..................................................................................................................................... 9 1.0 Light Pollution ....................................................................................................................................... 12 2.0 Cameras ................................................................................................................................................ -
The Blue Planet Report from Stellafane Perspective on Apollo How to Gain and Retain New Members
Published by the Astronomical League Vol. 71, No. 4 September 2019 THE BLUE PLANET REPORT FROM STELLAFANE 7.20.69 5 PERSPECTIVE ON APOLLO YEARS APOLLO 11 HOW TO GAIN AND RETAIN NEW MEMBERS mic Hunter h Cos h 4 er’s 5 t h Win 6 7h +30° AURIG A +30° Fast Facts TAURUS Orion +20° χ1 χ2 +20° GE MIN I ated winter nights are domin ο1 Mid ξ ν 2 ORIO N ο tion Orion. This +10° by the constella 1 a π Meiss λ 2 μ π +10° 2 φ1 attended by his φ 3 unter, α γ π cosmic h Bellatrix 4 Betelgeuse π d ω Canis Major an ψ ρ π5 hunting dogs, π6 0° intaka aurus the M78 δ M , follows T 0° ε and Minor Alnitak Alnilam What’s Your Pleasure? ζ h σ η vens eac EROS ross the hea MONOC M43 M42 Bull ac θ τ ι υ ess pursuit. β –10° night in endl Saiph Rigel –10° κ The showpiece of the ANI S C LEPU S ERIDANU S ion MAJOR constellation is the Or ORION (Constellation) –20° wn here), –20° Nebula (M42,sho ion 5 hr; Location: Right Ascens a region of nebulosity ° north 4h Declination 5 5h 6h 7h 2 square degrees th just 1,300 a: 594 and starbir Are 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 0 -2 -1 he Hunter 2 Symbol: T 0 t-years away that is M42 (Orion Nebula); C ligh Notable Objects: a la); NG C 2024 laked eye as a tary nebu e M78 (plane visible to the n n la) d. -
407 a Abell Galaxy Cluster S 373 (AGC S 373) , 351–353 Achromat
Index A Barnard 72 , 210–211 Abell Galaxy Cluster S 373 (AGC S 373) , Barnard, E.E. , 5, 389 351–353 Barnard’s loop , 5–8 Achromat , 365 Barred-ring spiral galaxy , 235 Adaptive optics (AO) , 377, 378 Barred spiral galaxy , 146, 263, 295, 345, 354 AGC S 373. See Abell Galaxy Cluster Bean Nebulae , 303–305 S 373 (AGC S 373) Bernes 145 , 132, 138, 139 Alnitak , 11 Bernes 157 , 224–226 Alpha Centauri , 129, 151 Beta Centauri , 134, 156 Angular diameter , 364 Beta Chamaeleontis , 269, 275 Antares , 129, 169, 195, 230 Beta Crucis , 137 Anteater Nebula , 184, 222–226 Beta Orionis , 18 Antennae galaxies , 114–115 Bias frames , 393, 398 Antlia , 104, 108, 116 Binning , 391, 392, 398, 404 Apochromat , 365 Black Arrow Cluster , 73, 93, 94 Apus , 240, 248 Blue Straggler Cluster , 169, 170 Aquarius , 339, 342 Bok, B. , 151 Ara , 163, 169, 181, 230 Bok Globules , 98, 216, 269 Arcminutes (arcmins) , 288, 383, 384 Box Nebula , 132, 147, 149 Arcseconds (arcsecs) , 364, 370, 371, 397 Bug Nebula , 184, 190, 192 Arditti, D. , 382 Butterfl y Cluster , 184, 204–205 Arp 245 , 105–106 Bypass (VSNR) , 34, 38, 42–44 AstroArt , 396, 406 Autoguider , 370, 371, 376, 377, 388, 389, 396 Autoguiding , 370, 376–378, 380, 388, 389 C Caldwell Catalogue , 241 Calibration frames , 392–394, 396, B 398–399 B 257 , 198 Camera cool down , 386–387 Barnard 33 , 11–14 Campbell, C.T. , 151 Barnard 47 , 195–197 Canes Venatici , 357 Barnard 51 , 195–197 Canis Major , 4, 17, 21 S. Chadwick and I. Cooper, Imaging the Southern Sky: An Amateur Astronomer’s Guide, 407 Patrick Moore’s Practical -
Dobsonian Telescope
30˚E 15˚E OWNER’S MANUAL DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE ZHUMELL Z12 DELUXE DOBSONIAN REFLECTOR TELESCOPE 0˚ 15˚W 75˚W 60˚W 30˚W 45˚W Zhumell customers know that there are plenty of ways to experience the world. They also understand that, however you choose to explore it, the best experience is one that fully immerses you in the world’s most striking details. That’s where our optics products come in. We strive to put high-performance products in the hands of our customers so that they can experience the world up close, with their own eyes. With Zhumell, you get field-tested, precision-crafted optics at the best possible value. So even if you’re just starting out as an amateur birder or astronomer, you don’t have to settle for entry-level products. Zhumell customers enjoy life’s pursuits, hobbies, and adventures in rich, colorful detail- the kind of detail that only high-performance optics can produce. At Zhumell, we design our binoculars, telescopes, and spotting scopes for discerning, price-conscious users who are uncompromising on quality. If you’re looking for accessibly priced optics that will bring your world within reach, you’re looking for Zhumell. Enjoy the dob. 2 ENJOYING YOUR ZHUMELL DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE 1. Caring For Your Telescope i. Warnings ii. Cleaning and Maintenance iii. Collimation 2. Specifications 3. Parts List 4. Telescope Assembly i. Base Assembly ii. Optical Tube Assembly 5. Donsonian Telescope Basics i. 1.25-inch Eyepieces ii. 2-inch Eyepieces iii. Altitude and Azimuth iv. Focusing the Image v. -
Orion® Intelliscope® Computerized Object Locator
INSTRUCTION MANUAL Orion® IntelliScope® Computerized Object Locator #7880 Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975 Customer Support (800) 676-1343 E-mail: [email protected] Corporate Offices (831) 763-7000 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076 IN 229 Rev. G 01/09 Congratulations on your purchase of the Orion IntelliScope™ Com pu ter ized Object Locator. When used with any of the SkyQuest IntelliScope XT Dobsonians, the object locator (controller) will provide quick, easy access to thousands of celestial objects for viewing with your telescope. Coil cable jack The controller’s user-friendly keypad combined with its database of more than 14,000 RS-232 jack celestial objects put the night sky literally at your fingertips. You just select an object to view, press Enter, then move the telescope manually following the guide arrows on the liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. In seconds, the IntelliScope’s high-resolution, 9,216- step digital encoders pinpoint the object, placing it smack-dab in the telescope’s field of Backlit liquid-crystal display view! Easy! Compared to motor-dependent computerized telescopes systems, IntelliScope is faster, quieter, easier, and more power efficient. And IntelliScope Dobs eschew the complex initialization, data entry, or “drive training” procedures required by most other computer- ized telescopes. Instead, the IntelliScope setup involves simply pointing the scope to two bright stars and pressing the Enter key. That’s it — then you’re ready for action! These instructions will help you set up and properly operate your Intelli Scope Com pu ter- ized Object Locator. Please read them thoroughly. Table of Contents 1. -
The Hartness House Workshop
The Springfield Telescope Makers Present The Hartness House Workshop Thursday August 1, 2019 Photo Mike Hayes Advanced Telescope Making Welcome to the historic Hartness House Inn The Hartness House Inn was built by James and Lena Hartness in 1904. During their time in the home, they hosted many influential guests (including Charles Lindbergh!). James Hartness served as the state of Vermont’s governor from 1921 – 1923. After their passing, the property was purchased by three local machine tool companies who continued to host their guests at the home. In 1954, the first addition and Victorian Ballroom were added to the home to house more guests and create the Hartness House Inn. In 1968, the Governor's Room was built, adding a restaurant to the property. In 1971 the final addition was added to the Inn, which included 24 guests rooms. The Hartness House was then put on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004, the Hartness House celebrated its Centennial Anniversary! Nine years later, the Inn was purchased by passionate owners who were ready to invest in needed renovations and updates. Work began on the building's infrastructure and the rooms in the wings. Next, the Governors Room underwent a total renovation, creating The Tavern for guests and the local community. A special thanks to the Springfield Telescope Makers Leadership Team and the Workshop organizers: Jeff Lowe, President Francis O’Reilly, Vice President Jay Drew, Secretary Glenn Jackson, Treasurer Kris Larson, Trustee Ken Slater, Trustee and webmaster Rick Hunter, Trustee -
Amateur Telescope Making and Astronomical Observation at the Adler Planetarium
Paper presented to the 2020 IPS Virtual Conference Beyond the Dome: Amateur Telescope Making and Astronomical Observation at the Adler Planetarium Pedro M. P. Raposo Curator and Director of Collections, Adler Planetarium, Chicago, U.S.A [email protected] Abstract: This paper uses the Adler Planetarium in Chicago as a case study in order to address the historical interplay between the ability to recreate astronomical phenomena indoors, which is central to the very concept of the modern planetarium, and the potential of planetaria to promote public engagement with the actual sky. It is shown that a solar telescope installed in the Adler Planetarium’s building, a longstanding liaison with local amateur telescope makers, programs and exhibits promoting the making of telescopes, and eventually the creation of a standalone public observatory all played an important role in crafting the Planetarium’s identity, and in firming its place in Chicago and among planetaria and science museums in general. 1. Introduction In his guide to the Adler Planetarium and Astronomical Museum, astronomer Philip Fox (1878-1944), the Planetarium’s first director, wrote: “visitors come to see a stirring spectacle, the heavens brought within the confines of museum walls”. 1 Though it was not Chicago’s first public planetarium, 2 the Adler Planetarium - thus named in honor of its benefactor, Chicago businessman Max Adler (1866-1952) was the first institution of its kind in the Western hemisphere, in the sense of a domed planetarium relying on an optical-mechanical projector. The Planetarium opened to the public in May 1930. Its building originally stood on an island that was later merged into an artificial peninsula known as Northerly Island. -
May 2005.Indd
May 2005 The Sidereal Times The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society P.O. Box 50581, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-0581 www.taas.org 505/254-TAAS(8227) A Night to Remember arrived. My friends had not seen with my first telescope. This was anything like this, saying “They different than the few gatherings at April 30th, 2005 look like rocket ships” and “Aren’t GNTO I have been to this year. The those mortars from the Civil War?” event had a life of its own. Maybe Oak Flat Star Party Steadily, people came. I strategically it’s because there were 5 times as setup our “camp” so the two paths many visitors as scopes. Maybe it’s Christopher Darling to the telescope field crossed in front just that under the New Mexico sky, of us. We handed out red plastic and people came together to share in It was quite a windy day even after rubber bands to the many people who an experience. I will remember the we got to the site late in the afternoon. brought flashlights. It was a good way sounds and sights from this night. to meet everyone Even after 11 pm, after most people and they seemed left, even after the clouds came a p p r e c i a t i v e back with a vengeance, we stuck it being welcomed out hoping for a break in the sky. I in and encouraged had a chance to wander from scope to listen, look to scope and see what was up. -
M81 Bode's Galaxy
ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA - VICTORIA CENTRE SKYNEWS Photo by David Lee IN THIS ISSUE NEXT MEETING Presidents Report Next Monthly Meeting Stellar Distance Atlas Wednesday December 12th In the Arms of the Milky Way M81 Bode’s Galaxy 7:30 PM in Room 116 Nudge Nudge: Give Lists a Try by Dan Posey Engineering and Computer In Memorium Science Building Upcoming Speakers www.victoria.rasc.ca SKYNEWS NOVEMBER 2018 ISSUE #402 PAGE 1! President’s • Centre member Chris Gainor was elected National President at the 2018 General Assembly. Report • Centre members David Lee, John by Chris Purse McDonald, and Jim Hesser assisted with a second concert of the music of William Herschel. The event As my term as in November 2018 was supported by a grant from centre president the RASC special projects fund. draws to a close, I • David Lee and Dan Posey offered a thought I would look workshop on PixInsight to a group of back at some of the astrophotography enthusiasts. noteworthy events • Astro Café continues to be well attended and from the past 2 our monitor is well used. years. • Centre members continue to volunteer • Centre countless hours for the schools program, Vancouver member Brenda Island Regional Science Fair, and other outreach Stuart provided the events. illustrations for the I have enjoyed my term as president. It has been my new edition of the honour to serve the centre and I thank all our RASC publication members for their contributions. It has been a great Explore the experience to work with such an enthusiastic group Universe Guide. -
A Guide to Telescopes
A Guide to Telescopes How to choose the right telescope for you Telescopes What is a Telescope? A Telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation (such as visible light). The word "telescope" (from the Greek τῆλε, tele "far" and σκοπεῖν, skopein "to look or see"; τηλεσκόπος, teleskopos "far-seeing") was coined in 1611 by the Greek mathematician Giovanni Demisiani for one of Galileo Galilei’s instruments presented at a banquet at the Accademia dei Lincei Galileo had used the term "perspicillum". Optical Telescopes. An optical Telescope gathers and focuses light mainly from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum (although some work in the infrared and ultraviolet). Types of Optical Telescopes Refracting Telescopes (Dioptrics): Achromatic Apochromatic Binoculars Copyscope Galileoscope Monocular Non-Achromatic Superachromat Varifocal gas lens telescope Reflecting Telescopes (Catoptrics): Cassegrain telescope Gregorian telescope Herrig telescope Herschelian telescope Large liquid mirror telescope Newtonian o Dobsonian telescope Pfund telescope Schiefspiegler Stevick-Paul telescope Toroidal reflector / Yolo telescope Catadioptric Telescopes: Argunov-Cassegrain Catadioptric dialytes Klevzov-cassegrain telescope Lurie-Houghton telescope Maksutov telescope o Maksutov camera o Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope o Maksutov Newtonian telescope Modified Dall-Kirkham telescope Schmidt camera Refracting Telescopes: All refracting telescopes use the same principles. The combination of an objective lens 1 and some type of eyepiece 2 is used to gather more light than the human eye could collect on its own, focus it 5, and present the viewer with a brighter, clearer, and magnified virtual image 6. The objective in a refracting The objective in a refracting telescope refracts or bends light.