Ok folks so this edition won't be long, but I'll get to the point. The Clovis NM Astronomy Club had a great time setting up and showing a very enthusiastic crowd this past Saturday. Many heartfelt thanks to Sara from the Clovis-Carver Public Library as she was part coach, part traffic cop, and all around great supporting us. It's wonderful folks like her that make our observing events possible and without a hitch.
Normally, when we get folks to come out, they might spend about 15 minutes looking through telescopes but not this past Saturday. Folks were genuinely interested all the way through. So another heart-felt thanks to all, who came out to visit and observe with ut.
So July 7th is our next Oasis State Park event. This event will provide us with truly dark skies. This is the one to go to folks!
So I dd mention something about useful information. So here it is.
Nothing I mention here will cost anyone anything. First off, for anyone interested in learning more about the moon, there is a software called Virtual Moon Atlas. I have it installed on my desktop and laptop and with it, you can get extremely detailed information on all the areas of the moon, mountains, craters, Mares, and even have it tell you distance from one point to another. Here's the download link.
For anyone interested in seeing more interesting views of the night sky where folks connect their telescopes to the computer and are looking at galaxies, planets and other interesting stellar objects, I highly recommend the NightSkiesNetwork.com. You'll easily know when someone is on and be able to view as a guest. During times when I work late or the weather is bad here in Eastern NM, I go onto NightskiesNetwork.com and enjoy the views.
I did promise I would keep this short, so let me offer one more possible interesting bit of information...or two...lol.
Have you ever visited the live viewing from the International Space Station? From the Space Station, you see views of the earth while in orbit. Kids, please get permission from parents before venturing on YouTube.
Lastly, yours truly has a YouTube Channel which contains over 50 videos related to astronomy. Here's the Link.
Well, that's it for Blog #3. I hope you enjoy reading. Have a great week!
Monday, June 25, 2018
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Blog # 2: June 9th and June 15th When bad weather rolls in, what does an astronomy club do?
While I'm not complaining too much about the recent rain in the Clovis, NM area, it is not been a great year overall for amateur astronomy this past year for yours truly. With only one video put together in several months mainly due to weather, work, and timing. We did get some folks out to the star parties for both June 9th and June 15, and we actually did setup on the 15th because believe it or not, as it got dark, viewing in various parts of the sky wasn't bad. A nice breeze kept the insects away and also the dreaded dew, given the humidity in the air. So what do amateur astronomers do at star parties when there's little to no viewing?
Well On June 9th, an active amateur astronomer who lived here in Clovis came down from Carlsbad and brought her IEQ45Pro Mount and as she hasn't had much opportunity to set up and use it..(again, work and weather, and timing). We assisted her in learning to set up and align the mount. I say we...but understand, not me! I don't have this type of mount and never used one. But two of our members are long-time users of this type of mount which is an equatorial mount. Well, the club members provided her with the understanding as to how her mount works and how to set it up. The club also enjoyed a very nice visit with each other and you know what. Believe it or not, when we have star parties, we really don't get a chance to just visit.
On June 15th, most of our members were able to come out and even had a young man named Ethan and his mom Carrie to come out, viewing his telescope and observing Jupiter with it. Another woman named Abigale and her daughter, who was visiting in this area, came out as they saw our event posted on FB. We were able to show them M5, M7, M11, M13, M27, M57, M92, and M104. Of course, we were able to show them Jupiter and Saturn as well. They also received a great deal of information from one of our more learned astronomers, Mr. Roy Uyematsu, who is president of the Clovis, NM Astronomy Club. Another member of our club, Mr. Kim Kimmerly, recently purchased a small camera and was learning how to align his equatorial mount using software called Sharpcap. Normally this isn't something that's done when we have a considerable amount of folks as much of the time is spent sharing the views, and answering questions. Another member of our club, Mr. Mark Brooks, took the opportunity to use his smartphone and get some images of the moon through one of the telescopes Images were posted on the club's FB page.
In the past, when the weather came in that wasn't best for viewing, we canceled the event. However, this year, the club decided to never cancel an event. I'm very glad we adopted this rule as for one, we really enjoy getting out and visiting and for another, we get a chance to help folks that may come out and enjoy the night sky while at the same time, enjoy learning to use our gear in other ways.
Well On June 9th, an active amateur astronomer who lived here in Clovis came down from Carlsbad and brought her IEQ45Pro Mount and as she hasn't had much opportunity to set up and use it..(again, work and weather, and timing). We assisted her in learning to set up and align the mount. I say we...but understand, not me! I don't have this type of mount and never used one. But two of our members are long-time users of this type of mount which is an equatorial mount. Well, the club members provided her with the understanding as to how her mount works and how to set it up. The club also enjoyed a very nice visit with each other and you know what. Believe it or not, when we have star parties, we really don't get a chance to just visit.
On June 15th, most of our members were able to come out and even had a young man named Ethan and his mom Carrie to come out, viewing his telescope and observing Jupiter with it. Another woman named Abigale and her daughter, who was visiting in this area, came out as they saw our event posted on FB. We were able to show them M5, M7, M11, M13, M27, M57, M92, and M104. Of course, we were able to show them Jupiter and Saturn as well. They also received a great deal of information from one of our more learned astronomers, Mr. Roy Uyematsu, who is president of the Clovis, NM Astronomy Club. Another member of our club, Mr. Kim Kimmerly, recently purchased a small camera and was learning how to align his equatorial mount using software called Sharpcap. Normally this isn't something that's done when we have a considerable amount of folks as much of the time is spent sharing the views, and answering questions. Another member of our club, Mr. Mark Brooks, took the opportunity to use his smartphone and get some images of the moon through one of the telescopes Images were posted on the club's FB page.
In the past, when the weather came in that wasn't best for viewing, we canceled the event. However, this year, the club decided to never cancel an event. I'm very glad we adopted this rule as for one, we really enjoy getting out and visiting and for another, we get a chance to help folks that may come out and enjoy the night sky while at the same time, enjoy learning to use our gear in other ways.
Monday, May 28, 2018
Blog #1 Introduction from an Amateur Astronomer
Welcome to the first blog of Astronomical Adventures! So you might ask, why another blog? Well, to be clear, this particular blog will be focused on Astronomy in Eastern New Mexico, with information throughout New Mexico and West Texas. As a Clovis, NM resident and member of the Clovis, NM Astronomy Club, I have just a few years of experience as an amateur astronomer. I have over 50 videos on YouTube covering my experiences using the Meade ETX-80, and both the Celestron 8 SE Alt-Az Mount and the Celestron Evolution 8 Alt-Az Mount. These videos cover mostly solar and lunar observations but also covers a few DSO or Deep Space Objects, using a variety of cameras. I've also used the following refractor telescopes on these two Celestron mounts: Orion ST80, Stellarvue NightHawk Classic Refractor, and the AT72ED Refractor Telescopes.
I still have much to learn, and that is why I love this hobby. I love delving into things where I am always learning. My hope with this blog is to attract similarly minded folks in our area to take an interest in astronomy and come out to our club's events and bring the kids!!!
If you haven't seen the Clovis, NM Astronomy Club FB, please do so as it contains evens info that will inform you of when and where the club will observe.
Readers can expect some guidance on the use of these two Alt-Az Mounts, which includes setup and alignment, use, and getting the most out of the hand controller.
I realize there are already plenty of resources out there for folks to get assistance. What will be different is an approach from a beginner's point of view.
Additionally, this blog is for the community of Eastern New Mexico and will cover local star parties, what can be expected to be seen, and hopefully what folks were able to see at these events.
Opinions: I will only give opinions and will provide some views as they pertain to Amateur Astronomy.
If I receive any suggestions on topics, I will be happy to cover those and will gladly give the suggester(s) credit.
I still have much to learn, and that is why I love this hobby. I love delving into things where I am always learning. My hope with this blog is to attract similarly minded folks in our area to take an interest in astronomy and come out to our club's events and bring the kids!!!
If you haven't seen the Clovis, NM Astronomy Club FB, please do so as it contains evens info that will inform you of when and where the club will observe.
Readers can expect some guidance on the use of these two Alt-Az Mounts, which includes setup and alignment, use, and getting the most out of the hand controller.
I realize there are already plenty of resources out there for folks to get assistance. What will be different is an approach from a beginner's point of view.
Additionally, this blog is for the community of Eastern New Mexico and will cover local star parties, what can be expected to be seen, and hopefully what folks were able to see at these events.
Opinions: I will only give opinions and will provide some views as they pertain to Amateur Astronomy.
If I receive any suggestions on topics, I will be happy to cover those and will gladly give the suggester(s) credit.
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