Video Astronomy & Observing
Another ISS Lunar Transit
Last night, Saturday Dec 7th 2019, I joined several other members of the Raleigh Astronomy Club to observe and capture the International Space Station cross in front of the moon as seen from location here on Earth. Thanks to information from the web site www.transit-finder.com, we knew exactly where to Read more
Video Astronomy & Observing
2019 Fall Staunton River Star Party (SPSP)
Had a great week at Staunton River Start Party with my son and friends Rob, Paul, Matt, Dave and many others! The star party is great! The park staff are awesome. The diner they operate 22 hours a day during the star party is a real treat! One night’s special Read more
Video Astronomy & Observing
2019 ECVAR
This past week I attended my 3rd ECVAR, East Coast Video Astronomy Rendezvous at Coolbreeze Campground outside of Galax, VA. Compared to last year’s washout thanks to Hurricane Michael, this year was a real treat! We were able to get 4 nights of observing. I spent most of my time Read more
Outreach & Education
Outreach at Prairie Ridge Ecostation
This past Friday night I participated in a outreach event, showing off the night sky to almost 600 visitors at Astronomy Night with the Raleigh Astronomy Club at Prairie Ridge Ecostation (part of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science). Fellow Solar System Ambassador Doug Lively and I as well Read more
Video Astronomy & Observing
My First Lunar ISS Transit
Some members of the Raleigh Astronomy Club and I got together last Wed. night (Aug. 7th) to watch the International Space Station pass in front of the Moon. This is an event that can only been see during certain passes and only from a narrow path on the ground. – Read more
Space Exploration
Lunar Observing
Got some great pictures of the Moon this evening. I’m working on an observing program sponsored by the Astronomical League and NASA as part of the 50th Anniversary of the 1st Manned Lunar Landing. Part of the program is to lead a educational outreach session about the Apollo Missions. The Read more
Video Astronomy & Observing
2019 Messier Marathon
You may have heard the term ‘Messier Marathon’ used by amateur astronomers. No, this is not an attempt to run 26.2 miles carrying your telescope. Rather, this is where you try to observing all 110 objects on Charles Messier’s, an 18th century astronomer, list of of fuzzy bright objects visible Read more
Video Astronomy & Observing
2019 Spring SRSP (Staunton River Star Party)
Due to the abundance of rain the week before, no campers were allowed on the field for the 2019 Spring SRSP. Instead, we set up in the parking lot down by the swimming pool with the other RVs. We were able to hook up to power down by swimming pool/cafe/locker Read more
Video Astronomy & Observing
Early Feb Observing
As it turns out, 2018 was not a very good year for observing. The weather was most non-cooperative especially with Hurricane Michael ruining 2 star parties for me. Finally, a good observing night! Despite accidentally turning off the power from my battery to all the downstream hardware (camera, mount, computer, Read more