Review: Microsoft’s World Wide Telescope.
July 2, 2010 by David Dickinson
Filed under Astro News, Astro News & Commentary, Astronomy on the Cheap, Do It Yourself Astronomy, Gear & Gadgets
The market for astronomical online software has really exploded in the past few years, and amateur astronomers and educators have reaped the benefit. What was offered by many companies for prices sometimes over 100$ a pop now can be had for free. Programs such as HNSky, Stellarium, and Google Earth all offer Planetarium-style software that [...]
Imaging Satellites: A Low-Tech Method.
June 2, 2010 by David Dickinson
Filed under Astro News, Astro News & Commentary, Astronomy on the Cheap, Do It Yourself Astronomy
Portable Satellite Tracking “Station”. (All Photos by Author).
We here at Astroguyz have been working for some time on an interesting technique for capturing photographs of satellites, and by popular demand, we wanted to give a brief rundown at how we were ultimately successful. Go out star-gazing on any clear night, and it’s only a [...]
Spotting Space Launches; Prime Sites for Free Viewing.
May 5, 2010 by David Dickinson
Filed under Astro News, Astro News & Commentary, Astronomy on the Cheap, Do It Yourself Astronomy
(Credit & Copyright: Ben Cooper, launchphotography.com ).
I’m always surprised how many everyday (i.e. non-space buffs!) I meet that fail to realize that space shots are visible to millions on almost a monthly basis. It’s almost as if the space program is this exotic thing that happens in strange and remote places, far from the eyes [...]
A Home-made Solar Filter for Cheap.
June 17, 2009 by David Dickinson
Filed under Astronomy on the Cheap, Do It Yourself Astronomy
Never Drink & (Solar) Observe! (All photos by Author).
Solar observing is just plain cool. While some celestial objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy will look exactly the same on the day you die as when you were born, the face of the Sun can change day to day, or even minute to minute. As we [...]
Constructing the Very Small Optical Observatory.
June 4, 2009 by David Dickinson
Filed under Astronomy on the Cheap, Do It Yourself Astronomy
The Very Small Optical Observatory in its heyday. (All Photos by Author).
Ahhh… eternal the lure of having ones’ own observatory. Batman has the Bat-cave, Superman has his Fortress of Solitude, and sooner or later, every astronomer heeds the siren song of having a place he and his mammoth telescope can call home. The perks [...]
Your own Personal Astronomer: Tucson’s Flandrau Observatory.
January 29, 2009 by David Dickinson
Filed under Astronomy on the Cheap, Do It Yourself Astronomy
Cell Phone Astrophotography: The Moon & the 16-inch. (Photo by Author).
Looking for an affordable, innovative date? One of the kept secrets in the deep Arizona desert is absolutely free; I give you a night of star gazing and cosmic conundrums at the Flandrau Observatory, adjoining with the Science Center of the same name. Located on [...]
