Milky Way 2020 Viewing Dates
It’s time to start planning for Milky Way Season! The reason being that camping locations fill up quickly! Everyone has their favorite time to shoot in regards to the moon. No moon, half moon, or…
Winter Triangle
The Winter Triangle is an astronomical asterism, a popularly known pattern or group of stars that can be seen in the night sky, formed from three of the brightest stars in the winter sky. This triangle forms an imaginary equilateral triangle drawn on…
Barlow Lens
Named after Peter Barlow, the Barlow lens is a diverging lens which, which is used in series with other optics in an optical system to increase the effective focal length of an optical system. This increased focal length of the optical…
Differences Between A Comet, Meteor, And An Asteroid
Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids are all distinctly different, but they all have some elements in common. We will not be trying to tell the difference the complete difference between the three, but wanted to show…
Dew Shield
A dew shield is a device used to prevent moisture or condensation buildup on the lens of a camera or telescope collector during night observations. There are two general ways that a dew shield can work, which is by either just providing shade for the lens in use…
Light Pollution Legislation In The Pacific Northwest
In a previous article, we discussed light pollution legislation in regards to the US; however, this time we will deep dive into Light Pollution Legislation in the Pacific Northwest. Let’s take a look at Oregon,…
The Discovery of Pluto 90 Years Later
2020 marks the 90 year anniversary of the discovery of Pluto. Pluto was officially discovered on February 18th, 1930, by Clyde W. Tombaugh of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona. Founded by Percival Lowell in…
50th Anniversary Of Japan’s First Satellite
On February 11th 1970, Japan became the fourth space power after launching the satellite Ohsumi into orbit from Uchinoura Space Center, Japan. Launched on a Japanese Lambda 4-S booster at 04:25:00 UTC, the Ohsumi spacecraft…
Polar Alignment
Polar alignment is the act of aligning the rotational axis of a telescope’s equatorial mount or a sundial’s gnomon with a celestial pole to parallel Earth’s axis. There are a variety of alignment methods and equipment to help amateur astronomers to assist with polar alignment of their…
National Weather Service At 150
Established on February 9th, 1870; the organization known today as the National Weather Service was created by a joint Congressional resolution that was later signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. The organization is a…