There are a few positive things to be said about the weather still acting like winter in the Mid-Atlantic - tree pollen hasn't been bad yet, I have so far avoided to mow the lawn, and the skies are still free of humidity and good for star-gazing. Tonight, it actually felt sort-of comfortable to be…Read more Spring Clusters (Astronomy: Week of 4/8/18)
Cluster
Starry Night
Tonight was nice and clear - so I went out to hunt for the dwarf planet, Ceres. I was inspired to look by Telescope Paul, who spotted it last week. I pretty much used the same star-hopping technique he did, but Ceres is moving, and sits a little higher, a little closer to Gemini than…Read more Starry Night
Winter Sky (Astronomy: Week of 12/24/17)
Last year this time, I was sitting on my in-laws' couch trying to figure out how I was going to bring Flying Squirrel Outdoors to life. Though I officially didn't kick it off til Jan 1, it's hard not to think about where I've been this past year, ups and downs... And interestingly enough, part…Read more Winter Sky (Astronomy: Week of 12/24/17)
Just Stargazing, and Wondering (Astronomy: Week of 11/26/17)
This week I've been able to get out and just look at the sky. The clouds have broken, for a while, and those crisp, clear low-humidity night skies are back. It sure is getting cold, though! Saturn and Mercury are toying with the setting Sun. Jupiter and Mars are in the morning sky, and Venus…Read more Just Stargazing, and Wondering (Astronomy: Week of 11/26/17)
Double Cluster (NGC 869, NGC 884)
Last week, I issued a challenge to myself and others to try and capture a photo of the Double Cluster, in the constellation Perseus, and near Cassiopeia in one of the dimmer stretches of the Milky Way. And then, it rained for a week. Now that the rain has ended, and the skies have cleared,…Read more Double Cluster (NGC 869, NGC 884)
The Water Bearer, and Other Curiosities (Astronomy: Week of 10/8/17)
A couple of disparate things to talk about this week: continuing the tour of the Zodiac constellations with Aquarius, a challenge to myself to photo some open star clusters, and a pre-dawn occultation of a prominent star. So let's get to it! Does everybody remember Enki? Also known as Ea? Oannes, maybe? As I delved…Read more The Water Bearer, and Other Curiosities (Astronomy: Week of 10/8/17)
Galactic Center (Astronomy: Week of 7/30/17)
Better late than never. Who would have seriously thought that the east coast of the US would have crystal clear skies at the end of July? Saturday we had a drenching weather pattern akin to a winter nor'-easter. Sunday, no humidity, clear skies and temps in the 70's. My chance to complete a self-imposed homework…Read more Galactic Center (Astronomy: Week of 7/30/17)
Sagittarius and Juno (Astronomy: Week of 7/16/17)
Beginning with my own homework assignment, I did finally capture southern Scorpius. As you can see, it's REALLY low from my vantage point (any picture of stars that also features trees is a pretty good indicator of that). Not only was I able to catch the two "Cat's Eyes" at the end of Scorpius's tail,…Read more Sagittarius and Juno (Astronomy: Week of 7/16/17)
Deep Sky Hunting in Scorpius (Astronomy: Week of 7/2/17)
The feature-rich Milky Way is now visible - let's see what we can find!
Astronomy: Week of 5/21/17 (Globs!)
There's nothing particularly "new" in the sky this week. No events with critical timing, no new comets or other discoveries (although there is apparently a new Supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy...) So, I got a little adventurous with the camera, and pulled out the telescope for followup. The prey - Globular Clusters! I've talked some…Read more Astronomy: Week of 5/21/17 (Globs!)
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 