Blog

Putting Together a Grab-n-Go Set Up

I love exploring the night sky – working on observing programs and challenges.  While I started in astronomy back in 2003 as a visual only amateur, for almost the past decade, my primary method of observing has been Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA).  EAA replaces the eyepiece with a camera or other electronic device to enhance the observability of an object. My setup routine involves GoTo mounts, cameras, computers, cable management, alignment routines, autofocus sequences, and a healthy Read more

By Mike, ago

Fall 2022 Staunton River Star Party

During the last week of the October in 2022, I attended the Staunton River Star Party held at Staunton River State Park in southern Virginia. This is a great star party all around, one that should not be missed. At the bottom of this post is a link to a video I made about the event. At the star party, my observing was primarily done via EAA (electronically assisted astronomy) and include Nebula and Galaxies Read more

By Mike, ago

The Drake Equation

This page is not recommend to be viewed on a smart-phone, the embedded calculator format does not work well on small screens. In 1961, astronomer Frank Drake formulated the now famous equation, that bears his name, as he was putting together the agenda for the first scientific meeting on the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence (SETI). His goal was not to quantify the number of intelligent, communicating extra-terrestrial civilizations but rather to summarize the factors when Read more

By Mike, ago

My EAA Setup for Star Parties

Below is a video I made that provides more information on how I setup my Electronically Assisted Astronomy gear for use at star parties. Please note that you want to make sure you are being a good astronomy neighbor and ensure you are not leaking any light out which will negatively impact the night adapted vision of your fellow astronomers attending the star party. TELESCOPES: Celestron CPC 1100 with HD Wedge, HD Tripod, StarSense, Celestron Read more

By Mike, ago

Galaxy Season Spring 2021

Spring time is always a great time of year to observe galaxies in Leo, Virgo, Coma Berenices, Canis Venatici and Ursa Major. This also the time of year that a great star party is held, the Staunton River Star Party (SRSP). However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, star parties are still mostly on hold. Nevertheless, I met up with a good observing friend and his wife (we were all recently vaccinated) at the site of Read more

By Mike, ago

Why Explore Space?

I had the honor of presenting the topic ‘Why We Should Explore Space’ at this year’s Astronomy Days hosted by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences @naturalsciences. Below is a recording of the virtual event:. They have a great set of programs running thru the end of the weekend, most of which should also be available for viewing later. Check out all the programs at https://naturalsciences.org/calendar/astronomy-days/programs/. Clear and Steady Skies! -Mike

By Mike, ago

Astronomy Days Moon Zoom

I had a really great time with fellow NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador and Raleigh Astronomy member Doug Lively in supporting Moon Zoom, a virtual observing session of the Moon on Monday evening as part of Astronomy Days at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science @naturalsciences. Make sure to check all the great programming for the week on the museum’s web site. Now for those of you in the Raleigh area, you may ask how Read more

By Mike, ago

The Great Conjunction

There have been a lot of headlines lately about the Christmas Star or the Star of Bethlehem being visible on Dec 21st, the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.  However, this event is not stellar in nature but rather the conjunction in the sky of the planets Jupiter and Saturn. In the video embedded below, you will see some landscape photos, pictures taken with an iPhone of the views thru a small refractor taken in Read more

By Mike, ago

Leading up to the Great Conjunction

I managed to capture the pair this evening using 4” refractor, a manual alt-azm mount, a 21mm eyepiece and my iPhone attached the eyepiece. The field of view with that combination eyepiece and telescope is just a little over 2°. ThIs first picture is 37 minutes after sun set. After getting some dinner and waiting for the skies to darken, I managed to get an airplane passing thru the FOV. Finally got all the exposure Read more

By Mike, ago

Sept 2020 Cool Breeze Astro Camping

In mid/late September, I ventured off for some socially distant observing at the site of the East Coast Video Astronomy Rendezvous (ECVAR). ECVAR is held at a great campground, Cool Breeze Campground located just outside of Galax, VA just over the North Carolina state border. The skies at Cool Breeze are quite dark, I measured 21.44 on a Unihedron Sky Quality Meter which puts Cool Breeze at Bortle Class 3 skies or in the blue Read more

By Mike, ago