DOCSLIB.ORG

May 2005.Indd

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
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. By and go around midnight we were down to the to all the others last 3 scopes. The public had come gathered there. and gone, but still filled with the enthusiasm of the night we pressed It was, at some on. I must admit, I thought I knew point, a magical a lot about the sky – I still have a night. The wind lot to learn! That night the TAAS died right at dusk; members really impressed me with the clouds came their knowledge and skills. All and went for the of my friends gave equally, if not first couple of higher, praise. I look forward to hours, nothing many more nights under the stars, too bad to block with all my friends. Thank you to our views. all who came out this night. Undaunted, I setup my scope to view a nice group of sunspots. I had a few The children had the most friends aalong and more on the way so fun. They found seeing we all took turns looking. I explained Jupiter and Saturn through that the spots were not an artifact or the big scopes most exciting. smudge on the lens, but real. Around There was a bit of cluster 5:30 pm, the first SUV pulled up with hopping, a few nebulae a large Dobsonian telescope in the and galaxies thrown in to back... it was a good sign I would not give everyone a thorough be alone in this big open field with the sampling of the night sky. public arriving for stargazing. I went and greeted my new best friend. I cannot count how many star parties I hosted By sunset half a dozen scopes from or attended. I got the 17 inches on down to 3 inches had astronomy bug at age 8 INSIDE 1....Oak Flat 3....Dark Sky (SIG) 7....NASA Space Place 2....President’s Message 4....Calendars 8....Minutes of the Board 2....General Meeting News 4....Messier SIG Update/AAVSO News 10...Classified Ads 3....GNTO News & Views 6....TAAS Reports & Notices 11...TAAS Directors & Staff The Sidereal Times May 2005 President’s Message Dale Murray We amateur astronomers pride summer nights the Ortega building landscape laced with canyons leads ourselves on our observing ability. No is so well insulated it stays relatively up to the distant mountains. Some of matter how keen our observing skills cool and with the ceiling fan keeps it the most spectacular sunsets I have we sometimes overlook the obvious comfortable for most of the year. Sleepy ever seen were at GNTO looking and need the eyes of someone else after a long night of gazing? There over this scene. Even nights when the to point out what we are missing. A are bunks (bring your own bedding) weather put an end to the evening’s good example is when someone from where the weary observer can nap. observing have been enjoyable with another astronomical society visits our The guest trailer is a frequent meeting dramatic thunderstorms roaring over observatory. Whenever a visitor from place where small groups gather around the mountains and brilliant flashes of another state is hosted at the General the nearly always present snacks and lightning illuminating the landscape. Nathan Twining Observatory, they sip hot coffee or hot chocolate made on Last month Scott Jorgenson from remark on how impressed they are the gas range. The conversation in the Minnesota was hosted at GNTO. with the quality and usefulness of our trailer is always lively and entertaining. He provided us with that needed observatory. Some other observatories In the early evening guest lecturers perspective that sometimes only an are only observing fields while others discuss astronomical topics under the outsider can bring. He remarked have a scope housed in either a dome stars in the lecture area. Larry Cash on just how impressed he was with or a slide-off-roof building but lack the and Karen Keese have been presenting the quality of out observatory and other structures we have at GNTO. In an introduction to the night sky. We how “blown-away” he was with addition to our main dome with our also have a picnic area complete with the excellent views provided by the excellent Isenguard telescope, we have charcoal grill. Forgot charcoal? We Isenguard. Remember that the GNTO a number of other facilities to make the have a gas grill with a well-stocked is fully supported and maintained by GNTO experience a memorable one. tank of gas. volunteers and to keep it in tip-top The combination of the Ortega OK there is a downside. GNTO is a shape. We need everyone’s help. We Building and the imaging dome fairly long drive from Albuquerque. may not have the very best amateur make CCD imaging not only possible Also part of the drive is on a rough observatory in the country but we but even comfortable on the coldest dirt road. We try to keep the dirt are certainly among the best of the nights. One can sit in the warm fairly smooth using a road dragger best. And that long drive: we are comfort of the Ortega building while but is still a dirt road. Is there as silver discussing ways to start a carpool to the remote controlled telescope with lining in this cloud? The distance from share the ride. If you are interested the high quality SBIG CCD astro- Albuquerque means that the skies are in carpooling then contact anyone on imaging camera takes long exposure dark. Standing and facing away from the board. If you have not been down images of faint celestial objects. the observatory to the West one sees to GNTO lately or have never been Not into photography? The Ortega nothing man-made all the way to the there I urge you to come down and building is available for warming up horizon. You just see some of the most enjoy all that this unique resource for you die-hard visual observers. On beautiful views in the state. Desert can provide. TAAS General Meeting News Becky Ramotowski TAAS General Meeting in shape just in time for some on Black Holes. The presentation great summer-time observing. included a short and compelling May 21, 2005 movie made up of compiled images The general meeting begins at of the Black Hole at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy. Another short Got dirty eyepieces? Has your 7:00 P.M. in Regener Hall on the UNM main Campus. A social movie shown by Dr. Melia made telescope been sitting around by the Discovery Channel was a collecting more dust than hour follows the meeting. Please join us! simulation of what a journey through photons because it’s out of the galaxy to a Black Hole might look collimation? like. It was a stunning and flawless visual treat that kept everyone on the Then bring your tired, dirty and TAAS April General edge of their seats. un-collimated astro toys to the After the presentation, everyone TAAS general meeting May 21 Meeting Recap enjoyed refreshments at Lodestar and for our “Telescope Tune-up and some one-on-one discussion with Dr. Eyepiece Cleaning Workshop.” Melia. A smaller group met later at the Old Town Sheraton with Dr. We will provide the cleaning Dr. Fulvio Melia kept the 100-plus in Melia to continue more Black Hole and collimating tools, and the attendance at the Lodestar Astronomy conversation. expertise to help get your scopes center captivated with his presentation Page 2 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005 GNTO News & Views Peter Eschman Dark Sky (SIG) Our attempted 2005 Messier Marathon 8212 for event information. If you call David Penasa took place April 9. Weather conditions for information, please do so before resulted in a very small turnout. Nine 3:00 P.M. on Saturday. What is Light Pollution? Collectively, people had an enjoyable early evening it is: talking in the Ortega Building.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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 ................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • Web Suppliers of Telescope Building Parts and Materials
    Appendix I Web Suppliers of Telescope Building Parts and Materials No endorsement or recommendation is provided or implied. The organizations listed are here because they were found in other such lists or advertisements or were personally known to someone. Those for whom e-mail addresses were available were notified that they would be listed. Those for whom there were no e-mail addresses or whose e-mail was not deliverable were sent regular letters with the same information. If there was no response to notification, the listing was removed. Quite a few listed organizations submitted additions or changes to their list of products. References to items specific to astrophotography and to Dobsonians were, for the most part, avoided. Likewise, references to subjects other than building telescopes, such as star charts, were avoided. If you are searching for some particular item or for something that will serve for a particular item you are advised to look under a variety of related categories. There is very little standardization of nomenclature in telescope design. For exam- ple, “used” usually means “buys and sells used parts and complete scopes.” Rings and mounting rings probably are overlapping categories. Diagonals, mirrors, and secondary mirrors probably all mean the same thing. Some of the listed organizations produce or distribute items useful to us telescope makers but with a much wider/different selection of clients. In dealing with them it would be useful if you are particularly clear as to the intended use. Some produce items for other industries and are set up to supply materials in large quantities.
    [Show full text]
  • 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
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • Telescopes and the Popularization of Astronomy in the Twentieth Century Gary Leonard Cameron Iowa State University
    Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2010 Public skies: telescopes and the popularization of astronomy in the twentieth century Gary Leonard Cameron Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Cameron, Gary Leonard, "Public skies: telescopes and the popularization of astronomy in the twentieth century" (2010). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 11795. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/11795 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Public skies: telescopes and the popularization of astronomy in the twentieth century by Gary Leonard Cameron A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: History of Science and Technology Program of study committee: Amy S. Bix, Major Professor James T. Andrews David B. Wilson John Monroe Steven Kawaler Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2010 Copyright © Gary Leonard Cameron, 2010. All rights reserved. ii Table of Contents Forward and Acknowledgements iv Dissertation Abstract v Chapter I: Introduction 1 1. General introduction 1 2. Research methodology 8 3. Historiography 9 4. Popularization – definitions 16 5. What is an amateur astronomer? 19 6. Technical definitions – telescope types 26 7. Comparison with other science & technology related hobbies 33 Chapter II: Perfecting ‘A Sharper Image’: the Manufacture and Marketing of Telescopes to the Early 20th Century 39 1.
    [Show full text]
  • CFAS Telescopes the Observing Committee Maintains Several Excellent Telescopes for the Use of CFAS Members Through the Loaner Telescope Program
    CFAS Telescopes The observing committee maintains several excellent telescopes for the use of CFAS members through the Loaner telescope program. Members are responsible for the proper use and storage of these telescopes while they are in their care. Members must reserve telescopes in advance through the CFAS web site Loaner telescope forum or by contacting the Loaner Telescope Manager: (http://www.cfas.org/staticpages/index.php?page=CFAS_Contact_List ). Regular membership check outs are for 30 days, and Patron members are for 90 days. Telescopes are normally checked out at regular CFAS meetings, but special arrangements can be made through the Telescope Loaner Manager CFAS also maintains additional high end telescopes that are primarily used for CFAS outreach events. These telescopes are also usually brought to CFAS observing sessions and are available there for viewing by CFAS members. LOANER TELESCOPES 1. 10 Inch Newtonian Dobsonian ALT/AZ Mount 10" f/5.7 mirror Special Designer Aluminum Optical tube 2" JMI focuser Telrad finder Eyepieces: - 26mm Super Meade Plossl (1.25") - 16mm Meade Plossl (1.25") - 9.7mm Meade Plossl (1.25”) A beautiful great deep sky viewing telescope for either beginner or more advanced observers. This telescope’s optical tube was outfitted with high quality parts donated from members. Its excellent mirror was hand ground by member Walt Hamler. The mount was manufactured by CFAS members. Dobsonians are easily transportable, and are a great way to learn the night sky. 1 2. 10 Inch Newtonian Dobsonian ALT/AZ Mount f/4.5 mirror (Coulter) 2" Rack and Pinion focuser Telrad finder Mylar White Sun filter Eyepieces: - 32mm Plossl (1.25”) - 26mm super Plossl (1.25") - 12.5mm super Plossl (1.25") A fast deep sky viewing telescope for beginner and more advanced observers.
    [Show full text]