Posts Made By: ROBERT MOORE

THIS JUST IN *** Jerry Lodriguss will be joining us *** That makes 14

Hi Folks,

The 2010 NorthEast Astro-Imaging Conference (NEAIC) will be held on April 15th and 16th, the Thursday and Friday right before NEAF. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn in Suffern, NY, which will provide us a lot more space than the previous years.

This year NEAIC will feature three lines of talks; Our basic Introduction to Telescopes & Astro Imaging with Dave Snay, you know Dave from his column in Astronomy Technology Today, Dave will be running a five part workshop over the two days of the conference.

Our next line of talks will focus on the preparing and processing of your pretty pictures. Speakers for this line of talks will include:

Alan Erickson { Adobe CS4 }
Wally Pacholka { America the Beautiful Astro Land scape imaging }
Doug George { Optimizing your Signal-to-Noise Ratio }
Alan Holmes { Stray Light in Your Telescope }
Don Goldman { Focus on Focus }
Hap Griffin { DSLR mods }
Steve Walters { The Race Against Time Session Planning }

Our last line of talks will focus on scientific imaging, with talks by

Brian D. Warner, Minor Planet Observer { What you Can do in Asteroid Research until the 'Big One' Comes" }
Stephen Levine, Staff Astronomer, United States Naval Observatory{Helping your images prosper: The data about your data}
Pete Kalajian { The science of flat field }
Richard Berry { Differential Photometry } & { Precision Astrometry, How Far away Is That Star?
Pamela Gay { On going pro/am collaboration programs }

We have over twenty five exhibitors lined up, and, of course, immediately
following NEAIC is two days of the North East Astronomy Forum, with
over 100 more vendors.

Please come and join us! Registration is now open.
For more details, see http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/NEAIC/index.htm

Also Now that NEAF is sold out all it's vendor space, it's time to list the NEAIC EXHIBITORS

#1 Adobe
#2 Adorama
#3 Apogee Instruments
#4 Astronomics
#5 AstroTrac
#6 ATIK Cameras
#7 CCDware
#8 Celestron
#9 Ceravolo Optical
#10 Chroma Technology Corp
#11 Diffraction Limited
#12 Explore Scientific
#13 Finger Lakes
#14 Fishcamp Engineering
#15Foster Systems
#16 iOptron (Sponsoring Lunch)
#17 IP4AP
#18 Lunt
#19 Minor Planet Observer
#20 MoonLite Telescopt Accessories
#21 Optec, Inc.
#22 Orion
#23 PlaneWave Instruments
#24 Quantum Scientific
#25 S.B.I.G.
#26 Software Bisque
#27 Starizona
#28 Starlight Xpress
#29 Tele Vue Optics
#30 Willmann-Bell

And I still have a few more to add as soon as they confirm.

I'll be posting the door prizes very soon.

Tickets are going fast so register soon, here is the link to the registration form. http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/NEAIC/NEAIC2010ReservationRequest.pdf

Bob

The North East Astronomy Forum 2010
Schedule of Lectures
Saturday April 17
9:00am 12:00pm: Solar Sketching Workshop, Ms. Erika Rix
10:30am-11:45am: BLAST the Movie, With Paul Delvin
12:00pm: Opening remarks RAC, S &T, Astronomy Magazine
12:15pm-1:15pm: Dr Philip Goode, Big bear Solar Observatory
1:30pm-2:30pm: Dr Jennifer Heldmann, “LCROSS” moon mission
3:00pm-4:15pm: Dr Amy Mainzer NASA ,JPL
4:30pm-6:00pm:Christopher Lintott BBC Sky at Night.
Sunday April 18
10:00am-12:00pm: AAVSO workshop, Mike Simonsen introduces you to variable stars and
how to study them.
11:00am-12:00pm: BLAST the MOVIE Paul Devlin
12:00pm: Opening Rremarks RAC ,S+T, Astronomy Mag
12:30pm-1:30pm: Attilla Danko “Clear Skies Charts”
2:00pm-3:00pm: The Meterorite Men
3:30pm-4:30pm: Alexi Filippenko
4:30pm- 5:30pm: Open Panel Discussion

The North East Astronomy Forum 2010
Schedule of Lectures

Saturday April 17

9:00am 12:00pm: Solar Sketching Workshop, Ms. Erika Rix
10:30am-11:45am: BLAST the Movie, With Paul Delvin
12:00pm: Opening remarks RAC, S &T, Astronomy Magazine
12:15pm-1:15pm: Dr Philip Goode, Big bear Solar Observatory
1:30pm-2:30pm: Dr Jennifer Heldmann, “LCROSS” moon mission
3:00pm-4:15pm: Dr Amy Mainzer NASA ,JPL
4:30pm-6:00pm:Christopher Lintott BBC Sky at Night.

Sunday April 18

10:00am-12:00pm: AAVSO workshop, Mike Simonsen introduces you to variable stars and
how to study them.
11:00am-12:00pm: BLAST the MOVIE Paul Devlin
12:00pm: Opening Rremarks RAC ,S+T, Astronomy Mag
12:30pm-1:30pm: Attilla Danko “Clear Skies Charts”
2:00pm-3:00pm: The Meterorite Men
3:30pm-4:30pm: Alexi Filippenko
4:30pm- 5:30pm: Open Panel Discussion

NEAF 2010 Workshops

This year at NEAF workshops will be offered on both Saturday, April 18th and Sunday April 19th.
There is no advanced registration needed, payment is made at the door.
Workshop Cost is $25.00
Saturday, April 17th at 9:00 AM

Erika Rix
PCW Memorial Observatory, Zanesville, Ohio

Sketching the Sun


Erika Rix is a co-author of "Astronomical Sketching, a Step by Step Introduction".
She shares the love of astronomy with her husband Paul and together they own the
PCW Memorial Observatory in Zanesville, Ohio. Although Paul is an imager, Erika
enjoys visual observing and spends her time studying the objects she observes,
writing reports, and sketching her findings at the eyepiece.

Member of:
· Columbus Astronomical Society
· Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers

Astronomy Exhibitions:
· In the Footsteps of Galileo exhibitions in honor of IYA 2009 at the
Blackrock Castle Observatory and Birr Castle Science Centre (Ireland)
Book publications:
· Co-author of Astronomical Sketching: A Step-by-Step Introduction,
Springer 2007
· Contribution for solar sketching in Observing Guide to the Sun:
a Beginner's Guide to Solar Observing, the British Astronomical Association,
Solar Section 2009

Magazine and newsletter publications, including articles, reports, and sketches:
· Various astronomical and scientific newsletters
· Amateur Astronomy Magazine (USA)
· Practical Astronomer Magazine (UK)

Internet Publications including articles, reports, and sketches found on
numerous sites, particularly:
· Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers Solar Section
· Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers Solar Image of the Week
· Astronomy Sketch of the Day
· British Astronomical Association
· Cloudy Nights Telescope Review
· Lunar Photo of the Day
· Scientific Frontline
· Sky at Night Magazine Online
· Spaceweather



Sunday, April 18th at 10:00 AM

Mike Simonsen
Vice President, American Association of Variable Star Observers

How YOU can contribute to the Real Science of Astronomy

What are variable stars and why are scientists so eager to learn about them?
What can they tell us about the Universe around us, including the stars, planets,
nebulae, galaxies; even life on distant worlds? How can you contribute to the
science of astronomy, as we push the boundaries of our knowledge?

Come join Mike Simonsen of the AAVSO as he introduces you to variable stars,
their different types and personalities, and how the study of variable stars
fits into the history and future of astronomy. Mike will explain how you can
contribute to science by observing these mysterious and wonderful stars. You’ll
get suggestions for observing projects based on the type of stars, the kind of
equipment you own and your particular interests.

There is a whole community of citizen scientists out there doing exciting stuff,
don’t miss out on the fun! The AAVSO has the expertise and resources to help you,
and people like Mike, ready to share their experience and enthusiasm to encourage
you. You’ll leave this workshop saying, “Let’s go do some science!”


About Mike Simonsen:
Mike joined the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) in 1998
and quickly became one of the world’s leading variable star observers, with over
57,000 variable star observations in the AAVSO International Database. As his
passion for variable star science grew, so did Mike's involvement with the AAVSO.
Mike is coordinator of the AAVSO Mentor Program, Speakers Bureau, Writers Bureau
and the AAVSO Cataclysmic Variable Section. His current area of research is
Z Cam type of dwarf novae, and he is the author or co-author of more than twenty
peer-reviewed papers on cataclysmic variables.

In 2003, Mike was placed in charge of chart production for the AAVSO. He and a
team of dedicated volunteers have produced thousands of new comparison star
charts and sequences for use by visual and CCD observers. In 2005, Simonsen
received the AAVSO’s highest honor, the AAVSO Director's Award. That same year
he was elected to his first term on the AAVSO Council, and now serves as
Vice President. In 2007, Mike was hired as the organization's first full-time
Development Director, in charge of raising funds to ensure the security of the
organization's endowments as well as the continuity and growth of the valuable
services, programs and staff of the AAVSO.

Mike’s astronomy blog, Simostronomy, is now ranked in the top 40 science blogs
on the Internet. He is also a cast member of the popular Slacker Astronomy
podcast, a staff writer for Universe Today and has contributed articles to both
Sky and Telescope and Astronomy’s online magazines. An animated and enthusiastic
speaker, Mike has gives talks on stellar astronomy and variable star science to
astronomy clubs, organizations, conferences and university groups throughout the
United States each year.

Mike's observatory, named after legendary AAVSO observer and chart maker,
Charles E. Scovil, houses two 12" LX200 telescopes, one for visual use and one
for CCD observations, or as Mike likes to joke, "One for each eye!" He is now
amassing both visual and CCD observations from home and remote robotic
telescopes.

Bob

NEAIC 2010 Raffle and Door Prizes
The generosity of the 2010 NEAIC Exhibitors has been extraordinary
Here is a list of door prizes and their value


Apogee Instruments: U8300 and AFW50-9R wheel
Astronomics: 8" RC
Adobe: PhotoShop CS4 Ext
Finger Lakes: DF-2 focuser
iOptron: Lunch.
AstroTrac: NEW Product.
Canon: Canon XS DSLR.
Quantum Scientific: transferable gift certificate
Foster Systems: Astro Alert weather monitor w/ Ascom interface
Software Bisque: Software
Explore Scientific: Software
CCD Ware: CCD Navigator, PEMPro Version 2, CDInspector Version 2.0, CCDAutoPilot 4.0 Basic, CCDStack Version 1.0,
Optical Guidance Systems: 2" MaxBright Star Diagonal
Diffraction Limited: Maxim DL Basic
IP4AP: IP4AP Superdisk DVD
Jerry Lodriguss: A Guide to Astrophotography with DSLR, $
Jerry Lodriguss: A Beginner's Guide to DSLR Astrophotography
The Imaging Source:, TBA
PlaneWave Instruments: T-Shirt
Adorama: Hats & Bags


Total Door Prize Value ** $16,373.00




PLEASE SUPPORT OUT EXHIBITORS, THEY SUPPORT YOU!



** at this time

Hi Every one, I have not posted in a long time, some time life just get's in the way.

NEAIC 2011 is shaping up great! here is the link the registration http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/NEAIC/NEAIC2011ReservationRequest.pdf and also the speaker list as of today.

This year NEAIC will also have a 3 hour PixInsight Image Processing workshop on Thursday night from 7:00 to 10:00+

Bob

Hi Every one, I have not posted in a long time, some time life just get's in the way.Jerry Lodriguss, and Caisey Harlingten of the Harlingten Telescope Network will be talking about DSLR's and astro imaging. You all know Jerry, He is one of the top in the field when it comes to DSLR's. Caisey Harlingten has great talk in-store, he is wotking on building a sky survey camera using 8 telephoto lenses with 4K cameras that can cover 20°x40° in a single shot.

here is the link the registration http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/NEAIC/NEAIC2011ReservationRequest.pdf

Please see the speaker list below
Bob

Hi Folks, a little up date most you already know but here it is any way.

The 2011 NorthEast Astro-Imaging Conference (NEAIC) will be held on April 14th and 15th, the Thursday and Friday right before NEAF.

The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza (formerly the Holiday Inn)
in Suffern, NY, which has been completely remodeled and will provide us a lot more space than the previous years.

This year NEAIC will feature:
Peter Ceravolo
Tom Davis
Joseph DePasquale
Tom Field
Alan Friedman
Doug George
Alan Holmes
Dr. Steve B. Howell
Warren Keller
Thierry Legault
Jerry Lodriguss
Alain Maury
Kevin Nelson
Vicent Peris
Mike Simonsen
Dave Snay
Olivier Thizy
Sean Walker
Steve Walters

and others..

We have over twenty exhibitors lined up, and, of course, immediately following NEAIC is two days of the North East Astronomy Forum, with over 100 more vendors.

Please come and join us! Registration is now open.
For more details, see http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/NEAIC/index.htm

Bob

Hi Folks, a little up date most you already know but here it is any way.

The 2011 NorthEast Astro-Imaging Conference (NEAIC) will be held on April 14th and 15th, the Thursday and Friday right before NEAF.

The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza (formerly the Holiday Inn)
in Suffern, NY, which has been completely remodeled and will provide us a lot more space than the previous years.

This year NEAIC will feature:
Peter Ceravolo
Tom Davis
Joseph DePasquale
Tom Field
Alan Friedman
Doug George
Alan Holmes
Dr. Steve B. Howell
Warren Keller
Thierry Legault
Jerry Lodriguss
Alain Maury
Kevin Nelson
Vicent Peris
Mike Simonsen
Dave Snay
Olivier Thizy
Sean Walker
Steve Walters

and others..

We have over twenty exhibitors lined up, and, of course, immediately following NEAIC is two days of the North East Astronomy Forum, with over 100 more vendors.

Please come and join us! Registration is now open.
For more details, see http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/NEAIC/index.htm

--------------------
Just a stepping stone to greatness for others

And a scope or two or three or four

http://www.deer-pond-observatory.com

Bob