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amateur astronomy

A Primer on Telescope Mounts

May 3, 2020 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Astronomy Equipment

A professional-grade German equatorial telescope mount (credit: Bisque.com)
A professional-grade German equatorial telescope mount (credit: Bisque.com)

Even the most expensive and carefully crafted telescope isn’t worth much if it’s not on a solid and stable mount that lets you accurately point it anywhere in the sky. A good telescope mount is as important as the optics of a telescope, and it must be sufficiently solid and stable such that if you give the telescope tube a good tap on the side, the mount should damp down vibrations in less than 5 seconds (max), and faster if you’re planning on astrophotography. Most telescopes, especially scopes aimed at beginners, include a mount when you buy them. Smaller telescopes, especially high-end refractors, may just have mounting rings or plates which allows them to be attached to a mount which you buy separately. And if you are contemplating astrophotography, a solid mount is a must-have.

All telescope mounts can be classified as one of two types: alt-azimuth or equatorial. Let’s have look at each [Read more…] about A Primer on Telescope Mounts

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Filed Under: Astronomy Equipment amateur astronomy, beginners, telescope mounts

Video – Star Chasers, Episode 1

November 14, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Astronomy Images and Video

This is the first in a series of short documentary videos about amateur astronomers, star parties, and the lure of the night sky. It was created by Jon Baker at Stab You Productions and supported by the folks at Explore Scientific. Been a while since you’ve brought your telescope out? Then play this video for a little inspiration…

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Filed Under: Astronomy Images and Video amateur astronomy, video

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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Filed Under: Stargazing amateur astronomy, televue

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