Brian Ventrudo

Solar System Observing – Meteors and Meteor Showers

The Perseid meteor shower ranks as the main stargazing event this month, as it does every August. The Perseids is the best of dozens of meteor showers that occur each year, with dozens of meteors visible every hour during the evening of August 11 and through to the morning of August 12. Observing meteor showers is an enjoyable way to spend an eveni...

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Stargazing Tools – Eyepieces (Part 1); Light Pollution Filters

Filed Under: Fundamentals of Stargazing

There’s a bewildering array of eyepiece types and manufacturers on the market, so choosing an eyepiece can seem like an overwhelming task. But with the basics you will learn here, you can make a more informed decision when it comes to selecting eyepieces to match your equipment and interests. You also get an overview of 'light pollution' or 'nebula...

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Science of Stargazing – Star Distances and Motion

Filed Under: Fundamentals of Stargazing

There was a time, less than 200 years ago, when astronomers had not yet measured the distance to the stars. It's a tricky measurement, but the basic idea of how to find the distance to the stars is fairly simple. Also this month you also get an overview of the motion of stars in the galaxy, and a look at observing double stars, one of the most unde...

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Deep Sky Tours – July

Filed Under: Fundamentals of Stargazing

M57, the Ring Nebula
This month you look at a good range of objects: resplendent open and globular star clusters, superb double stars, and a fine planetary nebula. Compared to the faint galaxies you toured last month, most of these objects are quite easy to see. And they are favorites of most experienced stargazers. As you master the art of stargaz...

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Sky Tours (South) – July

Filed Under: Fundamentals of Stargazing

Scorpius
While winter is now underway in the southern hemisphere, the Earth has turned into a position to reveal the thick band of the Milky Way nearly overhead at southern latitudes. This is one of the most spectacular sights in all of nature. Here you look towards the center of our galaxy from our position near the edge of its flat disk. This mon...

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