Satellite Spotting: A Quick How-to Guide.
January 20, 2010 by David Dickinson
Filed under Astro News, Astro News & Commentary, Observational Astronomy, Real Science, Real Science you can do
Two objects you can see tonite; the Hubble Space Telescope & (if it’s in orbit) the Space Shuttle! (Credit: Art Explosion).
Go out any reasonably clear night around dawn or dusk and look up. Chances are, after a few minutes, a moving “star” will drift silently by. What you’ve just seen is a satellite in low [...]
Meteor Shower Observing.
November 6, 2008 by David Dickinson
Filed under Real Science, Real Science you can do
Stand outside on any clear, moonless night, and watch the sky. Odds are within a few minutes a meteor will slide silently by. While most things in universe and astronomy seem to happen on geological time scales, meteors are quick and fleeting, and a meteor storm can be one of the most awesome spectacles, [...]
Join Forces with the Great Star Count!
October 16, 2008 by David Dickinson
Filed under Real Science, Real Science you can do
Good news; its time to take action in the fight against light pollution!
A Distribution of North American Participants. (Credit: Windows on the Universe).
On October 20th, 2008, Windows on the Universe will be launching the 2nd Annual World Wide Star Count as part of its citizen sciece based initiative. The premise is dirt simple; look [...]
The Drake Equation: A Primer.
August 28, 2008 by David Dickinson
Filed under Real Science, Real Science you can do
Patiently Listening…(Credit: APOD/NASA).
Nothing fires the ol’ mental juices like the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Only recently has the very idea of alien life moved from the realm of science fiction to a possible science reality in our lifetimes.
Science on Your Desktop
May 14, 2008 by David Dickinson
Filed under Real Science you can do
Last week’s answer: Our luckless Venus transit astronomer was none other than 18th century French scientist Guillaume Le Gentil. Had he been successful, he would have no doubt been a more recognizable name today!
SETI Classic.
When nights turn cloudy, we here at Astroguyz head for ye’ ole Internet. The proliferation of online science programs has [...]
The Contributions of Amateur Astronomers to Modern Science
November 19, 2007 by David Dickinson
Filed under Real Science you can do
The trend for comet discoveries. (Graph by Author).
(Author’s note; the essay below was a paper submitted recently by yours truly as part of my quest for a bachelors degree in science teaching. I’ve posted it here pretty much intact. Some explanations on the graphs have been expanded; I thought it was a shame for all [...]
