Articles

Push-to v. go-to

Posted by Darrell Lee 10/31/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Equipmentoptics)

It's the old story about the tortoise and the hare, replayed with computerized telescope controllers.

Close encounter with a first telescope

Posted by Karim Nasser 10/29/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Philosophical)

How my fascination with astronomy led me to the another love of my life.

Mt. Saint Helens through a Binoviewer

Posted by John Finnan 10/04/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other)

Mt. Saint Helens through a Binoviewer

Read a report from an Astromarter who went to Mt. Saint Helens to observe the show and got caught up in some exciting events.

Wild Card 007: "When the Atmosphere Gets Out of the Way!"

Posted by Rick Shaffer 09/02/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other)

Rick Shaffer tells you tales of nights when, if you weren't still breathing, you'd SWEAR the atmosphere wasn't there!

Ode to the Othoscopic Eyepiece

Posted by Jim Shepard 07/19/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Other)

For all you Ortho fans out there.

Wild Card 004.1 “A Chaotic Discussion of Critical Thinking, Chaos, and Large Systems.”

Posted by Rick Shaffer 07/11/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Philosophical)

Wild Card 004.1 “A Chaotic Discussion of Critical Thinking, Chaos, and Large Systems.”

In this edition of his weekly column, you can find out what happens when Rick Shaffer forgets to "take his medicine"....

A Perspective on Equipment

Posted by Mark Mittlesteadt 07/05/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Philosophical)

When is Bigger Big enough? Or...Why my bigger scope shows me wonderful views of my closet.

Wild Card 004 "Improbable-Probable Futures, Limits, Blah, Blah, Blah!"

Posted by Rick Shaffer 07/05/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Philosophical)

In this edition of his coulumn, Rick Shaffer muses about what SciFi writers have projected for "Our Future", as well as puts a "wet blanket" on some cherished visions....

Observing with our Hearts

Posted by ralph acerno 07/01/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Philosophical)

Real observing is more than just using your eyes-it involves your and heart as well!!!

Through the Eyes of Youth

Posted by Eric Esworthy 06/29/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Philosophical)

Ever have that one experience that can change your life forever? With everything available to Amateur Astronomers these days, it's easy to forget what's important in our lives. And this experience relates just such an occasion.

Improving Planetary Visual Detail

Posted by Bill Marvin 06/25/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Solar-System)

I bet you thought you'd tried everything. Here are a few pointers that really improve visual planetary observing on bright planets...

Wild Card 003: Making Some Sense of the Strehl Ratio

Posted by Rick Shaffer 06/21/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Other)

Wild Card 003:  Making Some Sense of the Strehl Ratio

In this installment of "Wild Card", telescope designer Rick Shaffer gets out his slide-rule and takes you through the arcane world of "P2V", "RMS", and how they relate to the "Strehl Ratio", the new "Gold Standard" for describing an optic's performance in imaging a star.

Wild Card 002.1 "Defending Our Planet from Invasions from Space" PLUS a LOT More!

Posted by Rick Shaffer 06/14/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Other)

Instead of a story about a practical joke, Rick Shaffer makes some serious suggestions about how we ought to be thinking about SETI, CETI, and rocks falling from the sky. Just for a little variety, there's more about the exit pupil, plus some "shameless commerce"!

Revisiting the Apollo Moon Landings

Posted by Danny Halstead 06/12/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Solar-System)

Revisiting the Apollo Moon Landings

Moon exploration via a two wheeled observatory

WILD CARD 002 "SETI, a 'Big Ear', and Practical Jokes"

Posted by Rick Shaffer 06/07/2004 07:00AM   (Articles/Other-Articles/Other)

WILD CARD 002 "SETI, a 'Big Ear', and Practical Jokes"

In this edition of his column, Rick Shaffer takes you to a corn field in Ohio. And, the reference to a "Big Ear" doesn't refer to prize winning ear of corn!