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Category Archives: amateur astronomy
McDonald Observatory Workshop Debrief
I spent 3 days at McDonald Observatory in late June at a workshop for astronomy and physics teachers called “light and optics” and it was fantastic. The observing was the most incredible part of the whole experience although the workshop content … Continue reading
Astronomy Fall Final Exam Info
The fall 2010 astronomy final has 45 multiple-choice questions and it’s open notes. I reserve the right to refuse non-hand-written notes or anything else I don’t like during the exam. There is a review question-set but it is NOT a … Continue reading
CAST Days 2 and 3
Friday I started out the day at “Space Weather” presented by 2 UT Dallas scientists – Dr. Mary Urquhart and Dr. Mark Hairston. Their work is based on the CINDI instruments on board a orbiting satellite C/NOFS. One VERY cool … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, Astronomy, astronomy eduction, exoplanets, moon, NASA, observing, physics, robotic astronomy, solar astronomy, solar system, space, star names, stellar astronomy, Student Astronomy, sun, urban skies
Tagged C/NOFS, CAST, CAST2010, CINDI, ImageJ, Mark Hairston, Mary Kay Hemenway, Mary Urquhart, McDonald Observatory, MONET, UT Dallas
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InOMN @ Bellaire HS Rain or Shine!
The clouds won’t keep us from celebrating International Observe the Moon Night tonight from 7pm – 9pm at Bellaire High School. We have a large space reserved for some virtual moon observing inside the school. I have booked the multipurpose … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, Astronomy, astronomy eduction, constellations, Houston, Lunar Exploration, Lunar Planetary Institute, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, moon, NASA, observing, robotic astronomy, Social Networking, solar system, space, Student Astronomy, urban skies
Tagged #InOMN10, InOMN
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Free Astronomy Tools
My latest Houston public library sidewalk astronomy event was moved indoors to the “program place” on the 4th floor so I thought I would throw together some free and easy astronomy tips to share. When the weather won’t cooperate there … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, asterisms, astronomical history, Astronomy, astronomy eduction, constellations, Houston, Lunar Exploration, Mars, meteor shower, moon, NASA, observing, robotic astronomy, sidewalk astronomy, solar astronomy, solar system, space, star names, stellar astronomy, Student Astronomy, sun, urban skies
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DIY IR Filter with iPhone and 3D glasses
I have been playing with a make-shift IR filter made from a pair of red-blue 3D glasses (UPDATE: and one made from crossed film negatives – see below). If you fold the glasses so that the red and blue are … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, Astronomy, astronomy eduction, Computer Science, infrared, Lunar Planetary Institute, NASA, physics, software
Tagged digital camera, green lasers, ir
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Summer Stargazing at George Observatory
On Sunday August 1st 2010 Houston had a rare and fantastically clear, low humidity night. I headed out to the George Observatory with a few other members of the Fort Bend Astronomy Club to take advantage of a rare chance … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, asterisms, Astronomy, constellations, Houston, observing, software, space, star names, stellar astronomy, urban skies
Tagged asterisms, constellations, star names
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Sidewalk Astronomy Daytime Edition 7-19 & 8-16 at HPL Central
Sidewalk Astronomy at HPL Central July 19 and Aug 16th. Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, Astronomy, astronomy eduction, Houston, Library Science, Lunar Exploration, moon, observing, sidewalk astronomy, solar astronomy, solar system, space, stellar astronomy, Student Astronomy, urban skies
Tagged Houston Public Library, HPL Central, moon, sidewalk astronomy, sun
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Unknown Moon at the Lunar and Planetary Institute
Starting tomorrow and running through Friday I will be attending an education workshop called Unknown Moon at the Lunar and Planetary Institute near Johnson Space Center. NASA and Houston have a history. The fact that LPI and JSC are the … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, astronomical history, Astronomy, astronomy eduction, Education, Houston, Lunar Exploration, moon, NASA, observing, sidewalk astronomy, solar system, space, urban skies
Tagged Apollo Landings, clementine, human spaceflight, Johnson Space Center, LCROSS, lpi, LRO, moon, my moon, president's vision for space exploration, selenology, todd the moon, unknown moon
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SDO provides best images of sun ever
SDO gives daily high-res images of the sun that you cannot miss. Check them out NOW. Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, Astronomy, astronomy eduction, Earth, NASA, observing, robotic astronomy, solar astronomy, solar system, space, stellar astronomy, sun, Universe Today
Tagged iPhone apps, SDO, SOHO, solar astronomy, solar cycle, Solar Dynamics Observatory, solar storms, STEREO, sunspots
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Greater Houston Astronomy Coaltion
The Houston Public Library was kind enough to let me put together a display for the 2nd floor. Hopefully people will see the display and discover the Houston astronomy community. There are several area clubs each serving a different part … Continue reading
Solar Observing Online
Big Bear Solar Observatory SOHO Spacecraft STEREO Spacecraft The sun will become more and more active as it the 11-year solar cycle swings from the slow and quiet to the loud and wild. You can follow along using some online … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, astro blogs, Astronomy, astronomy eduction, observing, software, space, Student Astronomy, sun, urban skies
Tagged Big Bear Solar Observatory, SOHO, STEREO
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Spring Break Star Party
Come out to the Bellaire High School track this Wednesday from 7pm – 9pm for some solar observing and some star gazing! share
SkyandTelescope.com – News Blog – The Big Dipper Adds a Star
SkyandTelescope.com – News Blog – The Big Dipper Adds a Star. One my favorite targets for me and for star parties is the optical pair Alcor & Mizar and Mizar is also a binary system itself which is apparent through … Continue reading
How has the internet changed amateur astronomy?
When someone becomes interested in astronomy those of us that are more experienced generally have some advice: 1) Don’t buy too little or too much telescope meaning make sure you get a good quality but get something you will actually … Continue reading
Tips for Viewing the Geminid Meteor Shower | Universe Today
Tips for Viewing the Geminid Meteor Shower | Universe Today Here are some tips for viewing the upcoming Geminid meteor shower from Sean Welton from Universe Today Occurring every year in mid-December, the Geminid meteor shower is commonly referred to … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, astro blogs, Astronomy, IYA, meteor shower, observing, sidewalk astronomy, space, Student Astronomy, Universe Today, urban skies
Tagged Geminids, Sean Welton
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More New Looks at Mercury from MESSENGER | Universe Today
There is a post over at Universe Today all about the MESSENGER mission to Mercury and the latest and greatest photos of the under-explored planet. Universe Today: More New Looks at Mercury from MESSENGER Check out the paw print made … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, astro blogs, Astronomy, Mercury, MESSENGER, NASA, observing, robotic astronomy, space
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Amateur Astrophotographer Christopher Go Images Io Transiting Ganymede
Christopher Go of Cebu City Phillipines managed to catch an incredible transit of Io’s shadow over Ganymede. These are 2 of the moons of Jupiter aka the Jovian moons. This is a very difficult series to actually catch. Check out … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, astro blogs, Jupiter, observing, space
Tagged amateur astronomy, Christopher Go
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Jupiter Gets It In The Eye!
Many places are reporting today that yes indeed amateur astronomer Anthony Wesley discovered that Jupiter was hit by something rather large. In 1994 comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 hit Jupiter with spectacular results. In this image by Mr. Wesley the dark spot … Continue reading
Posted in amateur astronomy, astro blogs, astronomical history, Jupiter, observing, space, urban skies
Tagged amateur astronomy, impacts, Jupiter
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