Stargazing

General articles and links about astronomy and the night sky.

The 2017 ‘Year in Space’ Calendars Now Available

November 12, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Stargazing

In 1991, stargazer Steve Cariddi walked into a Boston bookstore and noticed most desk calendars were about cats, or puppies, or sailboats. There was not a single astronomy calendar in sight. So he decided to create his own, and in late 1993 he published his first “astronomy and space” desk calendar. He’s been publishing these calendars every year since. And now he’s released the large-format ‘Year in Space’ wall calendar for 2017 [Read more…] about The 2017 ‘Year in Space’ Calendars Now Available

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Almost Heaven (Star Party), West Virginia

September 8, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Stargazing

Once in a while, you have to get yourself to dark skies. Forget the excuses, the lost sleep, the long drive. Just go. It will regenerate you, reconnect you to the cosmos, and help you remember why you became a stargazer in the first place.

Which is why I powered down the computer and packed a simple Dobsonian telescope, a binoviewer, and a couple of eyepieces and headed out to the Almost Heaven Star Party (AHSP) in West Virginia, an event held this year on September 2-6, 2016 [Read more…] about Almost Heaven (Star Party), West Virginia

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Why Be an Amateur Astronomer

June 23, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Stargazing

Why-Be-An-Amateur-Astronomer

A lifelong amateur astronomer, Al Nagler worked as a professional optical engineer and designed optics for the flight simulators of the Gemini and Apollo space programs. In 1977, he started his own company, Televue, to design and build premium refractor telesopes and eyepieces with the goal of making stargazing easier and more enjoyable for everyone. He is also the inventor of the famed Nagler wide-field eyepiece, an optical innovation that has vastly improved the visual views of the night sky through a telescope.

In a piece written in 2000 by David Levy, Al spoke of his love of astronomy: “Astronomy is the most wonderful pursuit. If we had more amateur astronomers in the world, we’d solve a lot of fundamental problems. The more people who enjoy and understand our place in the universe, the better our own planet will be. And if I am a Pied Piper in this regard, that’s what I want to be.”

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Strawberry Moon and Summer Solstice Meet

June 20, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Stargazing

A strawberry Moon rising over Los Angeles in 2012 (credit: Pacheco at Flickr.com)

Today the Sun reaches the June solstice, its most northerly point on the celestial sphere. This marks the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere and the first day of winter in the southern hemisphere. And for the first time in 68 years, the June solstice occurs on the same day as the June full Moon, often called the Strawberry Moon [Read more…] about Strawberry Moon and Summer Solstice Meet

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Sun Unexpectedly Swells to Red Giant

April 1, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Stargazing

The Sun unexpectedly has swollen to a red-orange on April 1, 2016 as seen over southern California.

In a development that has shocked astrophysicists around the world, the Sun has unexpectedly run out of hydrogen fuel in its core. As gravity squeezed the collapsing core, the dense plasma increased in temperature and ignited helium burning, causing the outer layers to swell into a red giant. Reports suggest the two inner planets, Mercury and Venus, have been swallowed by the expanding star. On Earth, students in the northern hemisphere have been released from school to start summer break early. While astronomers are perplexed, health professionals strongly recommend a thick layer of sunscreen for anyone venturing outside, at least until someone can figure out how to restock the supply of hydrogen gas in the Sun’s core.

In a media report, Professor Cedric Doppleganger, of the California Institute of Astrophysics, said that although the Sun’s sudden expansion violates all known laws of physics, that researchers are undeterred. “It just goes to show that the science of solar physics isn’t so settled after all.”

(On April 2nd and beyond, the above image will be of the setting of a calm main sequence G-type star on a windy evening at Santa Monica Beach, California.)

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