Brian Ventrudo

Science of Stargazing – Star Brightness and Names

In this lesson on the science of stargazing, you get a clear explanation of the sometimes confusing “magnitude” system that astronomers use to describe and compare the brightness of stars and other celestial objects. You also learn how to decipher the systems that astronomers use to name stars. To many beginners, the star-naming system is literally...

Sorry, you need to log-in to see this protected course content!

Deep Sky Tours – April

Filed Under: Fundamentals of Stargazing

You continue touring some excellent deep-sky objects this month with a look at more open star clusters and few superb double stars, which are surely are underappreciated objects for visual observers in this age of digital imaging. As a slightly more challenging sight, you learn to find a planetary nebula, a glowing cloud of gas ejected by a dying m...

Sorry, you need to log-in to see this protected course content!

Sky Tours (South) – April

Filed Under: Fundamentals of Stargazing

This month’s tour of the southern night sky takes place in two parts. First, you look towards the northern horizon to continue a look at the constellations of the zodiac, the constellations that mark the ecliptic and the plane of the solar system. The Moon, Sun, and planets are always found along the zodiac, so it pays to know these stars. These an...

Sorry, you need to log-in to see this protected course content!

Sky Tours (North) – April

Filed Under: Fundamentals of Stargazing

You continue the tour of the northern night sky with a look at three more constellations along the ecliptic: Gemini, Cancer, and Leo. And you learn how to find the two long and faint constellations Lynx and Hydra. The PDF notes contain maps and descriptions of the main stars of these constellations. At the bottom of the page you will find a PDF of ...

Sorry, you need to log-in to see this protected course content!

Solar System Observing – Layout of the Solar System

Filed Under: Fundamentals of Stargazing

In this month’s look at the solar system, you learn about the geometry of the solar system and how it affects our view of the planets as they, and we, continue our constant Newtonian fall around the Sun. After this section, the wanderings of the planets across the heavens will never again be a mystery for you. You also get a look at the retrograde ...

Sorry, you need to log-in to see this protected course content!