An Astronomical Telescope For Far Away Minds

January 9th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

Gazing out to the stars has always been something that humans have wanted to do, for as long as humans have been looking at the world around them. The invention of the telescope, and of various types of telescopes, such as the astronomical telescope, can allow us to look at places we might not actually be easily able to see with our naked eyes, and learn more about the worlds that surround ours.



There’re many uses for an astronomical telescope. You can use it anywhere youd like to use it, and you can develop & hone your telescoping skills from almost any vantage point.



The best thing to do with an astronomical telescope is to go out into the country, away from the city lights. This is because city lights often glare upon the telescope, and you’re often unable to see things in the astronomical telescope that you would be easily able to see if the lights werent glaring.



Another reason to head away from the lights is that when you’re far away form the lights, they dont reflect on the sky, & you’re actually able to see what’s up there, and to study it.



Uses



People have used astronomical telescopes for man years, because with them it has become possible to take photographs of things that the naked eye can not see. These types of photographs are photographs that will stay with the world, & photographs that we can learn a lot from. There’re many reasons to study the world through the lens of an astronomical telescope, because sometimes in order to understand what’s surrounding us, we need to understand what’s above us, in the heavens.



Remember that you should find a place where it’s quiet & where you can use your telescope safely, for as long as youd like. There are many places on line & in libraries where you can find many star charts which will show you what you should be looking for, & will help to explain the things that you see.



There’re many things to be seen in the night sky, it’s just a matter of knowing what to look for, & looking at the right times. Clear? If you can find a set time in which you can witness all kinds of events, such as meteor showers & things like that, you’re going to find that you’re able to enjoy your astronomical telescope even more.

Ann Marier writes informative articles about family life & general health issues, Her lastest are about telescopes & the start world. Click on http://childtelescope.com to read all the different telescope articles Click on http://ultimatehealthinfo.com to see the other general health articles.

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Ann Marier

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Why should you prefer binoculars over telescopes for astronomical viewing?

January 6th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

Observing the stars can be a scholarly challenge but still for children it’s something a part of their enjoyment. OK. Surely to visualize this enjoyable opportunity in an appreciable manner some one requires a telescope. But when it comes to telescope the number of participants viewing the stars becomes limited. Introduction of binoculars for astronomical viewing have produced appreciably good results, both in case of viewers number & their mobility. Though any kind of binoculars can be often used for stars & sky view but still the efficient equipment promises superior results.



For amateur astronomers, astronomical binoculars can serve as the best & easiest way to learn their way around the dark night sky. While selecting astronomical binoculars technical & optical quality matters very much. Professional astronomers do it significantly because of their experience but amateur astronomers are mostly seen to embrace their romance of stargazing. Now why should some one prefer binoculars over telescopes for astronomical viewing? Answer can be very simple as the wonders of this universe can not actually be enjoyed through the single eyepiece of telescope. Binoculars provide almost three dimensional & comparatively wider views than the telescopes which enables more visualization at one time.



Magnification & aperture are the two basic parameters of binocular rating. In a (7 x 50) binocular, 50mm means the lenses diameter & 7 shows that the object is magnified seven times more than the original. The area of land or sky that is presented to your eyes is called field & surely the binoculars with larger field work significantly better… Through a telescope one can only view a part of large objects like 3.5 wide Andromeda Galaxy while through large aperture binoculars view of such objects fit in the field. With these astronomical night vision binoculars many nebulas objects like globular clusters, comets, and galaxies in their entirety can be visualized even in the star spangled deep darkness. Clarity is the other advantage of binoculars.



As compared to telescope, you see up to forty percent more detailed object than normal. It’s because your both eyes work simultaneously. In this way brain combines images from both eyes & instinctively uses the sharpest portion from both eyes to build a single & even sharper image. For binocular astronomy, water proofing is another important factor. Especially in damp or rainy conditions, binoculars with out the facility of water proofing can damage the optical coating. In this regard water proof Nikon binoculars can be an excellent option.



In the end, it’s physically more comfortable to visualize through two eyes of binocular, rather than squinting through a single eyepiece of telescope. And so… Studies have revealed that the eye muscles are relaxed when both eyes open & viewer doesn’t suffer eyestrain.

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Ophelia Smith

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Making It Fun To Learn About The Solar System

January 5th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Kids and Astronomy | No Comments »

According to experts, when learning is interactive & fun, children are much more inclined to retain knowledge & look forward to school.

One topic that continues to fascinate children from generation to generation is the solar system. Whether it is studying the stars, watching for a lunar eclipse or making a model of the planets for science class, young minds are often drawn to the wonders of the Milky Way. Plus, images sent back by the Hubble telescope & various space probes have given the current crop of kids an even greater appreciation of the cosmos.


One way to foster children’s interest in the solar system is through toys, books & even Web sites that are appropriate for their age. One example is www.nine planets.org, which gives an over view of the history, mythology & current scientific knowledge of the planets, moons & other objects in our solar system. Another is http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets, which shows a collection of many of the best images from NASA’s planetary exploration program.

For lots more hands-on fun, there’s a line of preschool-appropriate action figures from Fisher-Price called Planet Heroes. Each of the figures represents a planet & has a special talent or skill related to the key features of her or his planet. By example, Earth “Ace” is a brave boy genius who joins his friends in solar space with the help of his skateboard. “Digger,” from Mars, the rocky planet, is built to blast & comes with a spinning drill. “Gustus,” from Jupiter, spins 360 degrees when you press a button.

Each of the toys comes with special tools and/or vehicles to help in her or his adventures-even Pluto Shiver, who is working extra hard to pull his weight on the team to overcome his new classification of “dwarf planet.” Of course, the plot would not actually be complete without the sinister forces of the villainous Black Hole “Professor Darkness,” who has vowed to destroy the solar system & thwart the heroic deeds of the other planets. The figures each come with a collectible trading card with cool planet facts, and a special DVD introducing the characters & launching them into their first mission.

If your children want to read up on the planets & the solar system, there’re a number of great books available, including “Stargazing with Jack Horkheimer: Cosmic Comics for the Sky Watcher” & “The Planets in Our Solar System” by Franklyn M. Branley. Take the time to look at the pictures with your kids & talk about what it might be like to be an astronaut & visit these places.

By: Wendy Mitchell

To learn more about the Planet Heroes line of educational toys & view the movie trailer, visit www.fisher-price.com.

A new line of planetary heroes can assist youngsters learn about the solar system.

Wendy Mitchell

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How Binoculars Can Be Used To Create More Fun For Children

January 3rd, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

Binoculars give an extra view, a vivid expression, different from the plain ways of our daily lives. Binoculars are for adults, and they’re also for children. The imagination will not leave us alone as our hearts were meant for many more than bare facts & figures. Clear? In the shadow of our ancestors we’re challenged to view stars, examine the skies & find celestial wonders that will make us think. How will we know what’s out beyond the stars if we never look at the sky to search for understanding?

If work is so much fun, truly play must reach the highest note. Binoculars signal a new place for travel. Faraway places suddenly seem near. Summer has lost its way & we’re pursued by a steadfast winter without a storm, as the calendar never ceases its day by day tally. The status quo of one complete year makes it seems the same, but for the binoculars obtained from the local library. Next door children play, they point the binoculars at the trees, almost naked from their fallen leaves. They view houses, a stray bird or two, & the happy squirrels that run around celebrating life.

It’s a new adventure, using an instrument that makes things seem closer. Ordinary objects require a new description when you use binoculars. Life holds excitement & presents a new outlook. Imagination encourages us to view the stars & to continue the circle of education. If only I could have my own binoculars someday. I’ve not checked the price yet. I know they’re expensive. I would not need the most expensive one. I would settle for something in between, of moderate cost. I can hardly wait for the precious day when I’ve my own binoculars. Clear? I’ll look to the heavens for consideration of new celestial wonders. The Milky Way is rich & powerful as it spreads stars across the sky. Spreading happiness with the only makeup we have is a positive course for a new day.

As the children begin each day they appreciate what they have & yearn for better times Beyond the fear of new demands there is preparation for healthy change & a wealth of new days. The children will soon return the binoculars to the library. They will not forget what they have seen & they will wait with gentle hope for their own magnifying instrument. Life goes on & the children grow into adults. There is improvement & we appreciate that bit of joy. Through the eyes of the binoculars, we can see what we have not seen before. Far away objects appear closer as imagination prompts new ideas.

The binoculars have been returned to the library, but I’ve kept the sense of excitement of gazing at the stars, the wonder of their nearness, and the search for meaning.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as www.bestbinocularsonline.com“>children’s binoculars at www.bestbinocularsonline.com

Gregg Hall

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Astronomy: Somewhere Out There!

December 31st, 2007 stillaig Posted in General Astronomy | No Comments »

I love looking up into the night sky. I always have.



It seems that there is so much going on in our universe.



Years ago I took an astronomy class which has made it even more enjoyable to ponder my star gazing experiences. Clear? I often reflect on the fact that our ancestors used to record their star gazing on the walls of caves. A far cry from being able to login to the internet & better understand that constellation million of miles away.



Here are a few simple tips to use when star gazing. I hope that as you use them you too will enjoy the views right above your head.



a) Put yourself in the best possible viewing position. You should be easily able to find suitable sites for night viewing within thirty minutes of most cities.



b) Contact your local astronomy club for many more professional assistance.



c) Do a little homework. You should do some research time learning what objects you can expect to see on that particular day from that particular spot. Great websites that assist in this regard are http://nasa.gov , http://astronomy.com & http://www.yesastronomy.com



d) Once star gazing “fever” hooks you, you will want to get a nice telescope, a journal, a camera, a second telescope & so on. Be prepared. This hobby is quite addictive.



Astronomy has to be one of the most mind expanding subjects to0 study. The vastness & organization of stars, planets & constellations are never ending source of wonder for young & old alike.



Every time I look into the night skies & watch the stars I cant hep but be fascinated by the fact that our ancestors looked up & saw what we see today & that our descendants will see similar miracles tomorrow. It’s great fun to be easily able to find the Big Dipper & Little Dipper & recognize the effect that these important configurations have played in history.

Pedro Estrella is the webmaster for http://www.yesastronomy.com & an avid astronomy buff.

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Harald Anderson

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Matching Eyepiece Telescope Lens For Maximum Viewing

December 31st, 2007 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

Most quality telescopes require the use of an eyepiece as part of the magnification power of the telescope. If you have a telescope with a single eyepiece, you’ll want to investigate using one or two different ones for different purposes. The eyepiece telescope has this advantage of those that do not have a changeable eyepiece.



The eyepiece plays a major role in the magnification power of an eyepiece telescope. In order to calculate what the magnification would be with a different eyepiece you would divide the focal length by the eyepiece focal length. Since the focal length of an eyepiece telescope will remain constant, by changing the eyepiece you can change the power.



Not virtually everyone changes an eyepiece to increase the magnification, especially if wanting to view areas that are closer or they want a wider field of view. One reason to reduce the magnification may be to create a finder lens for your telescope to be easily able to find an object. With a strong eyepiece telescope, finding the moon through the normal magnification could be like trying to find it while looking through a straw.



Effective Fields Of View Also Changes



The true field of view, that is what you can see as an undistorted image can also be adjusted by changing the eyepiece on an eyepiece telescope. The field stop on an eyepiece is the rotating ring that limits the field size. To find the true field of view, divide the field stop diameter by the telescopes focal length & then multiply by 57.3.



In order to obtain lower power viewing of large objects your eyepiece should deliver the widest possible field of view. A one & a ¼ inch eyepiece would have a field stop of 27mm maximum. The maximum field stop on a two-inch eyepiece is about 46 mm.



A general rule of thumb with an eyepiece telescope is that choosing an eyepiece with shorter focal lengths & larger apparent field of view, bringing brighter, clearer images of objects including fainter stars.



Two things to consider when looking at news eyepieces could be a Barlow lens, which simply is a magnifier, which adds magnification power to the eyepiece telescope, and what’s called eye relief.



Eye relief is the space between the lens & your eye & should have enough room for you to be easily able to wear your glasses, if needed, as well as to keep your eyelashes from brushing against the lens.

Ann Marier writes informative articles about family life & general health issues, Her lastest are about telescopes & the start world. Click on http://childtelescope.com to read all the different telescope articles Click on http://ultimatehealthinfo.com to see the other general health articles

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Ann Marier

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Focusing On The Best Binoculars

December 28th, 2007 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | 1 Comment »

If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, you will find that a good pair of binoculars can add a new & unexpected level of fun to a family vacation, scenic hike, fishing trip or other outdoor outing. Whether you are birdwatching, admiring natural wonders, or sightseeing at historical landmarks, binoculars bring distant details into vivid focus, revealing fascinating aspects of your surroundings that you had otherwise miss.

Fortunately for cost-conscious adventurers, a variety of high-quality binoculars are available for very reasonable prices - many well under $100. It is a good idea to start your binocular search by checking out models from such leading brands as Bushnell, Canon, Meade, Nikon, Olympus, Swarovski & Zeiss.

Looking for binoculars for a specific pastime or hobby? Chances are there’s a model designed precisely for your needs. Astronomical models with very high magnification & a large aperture for gathering faint starlight are available for amateur astronomers. These can be an excellent & affordable alternative to telescopes for backyard skywatchers. Boaters & anglers can select from waterproof marine binoculars that will float if lost overboard.

If you are into cave exploration, nighttime orienteering, or other low-light activities, then you should definitely look into a pair of night vision binoculars, which can illuminate & magnify a darkened landscape that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. And for birders & nature lovers, many light-weight, highly portable binoculars are available to bring distant wildlife into sharp focus.

The level of magnification offered by a particular binocular is identified by a standard numeric measurement that combines the magnification level with the millimeter diameter of the light-gathering objective lens. So… So a binocular labeled as “7 X 50″ will magnify objects 7 times & has a fifty millimeter objective lens. Right. While the most basic models of binoculars offer a single, preset level of magnification, more advanced designs include zoom lenses which allow the user to switch rapidly & easily between low & high magnification & back again.

Some higher-end binoculars also include a laser range finder that gives precise measurement of distances to the objects being observed. And thanks to digital imaging technology, many combination camera-binocular models are available, with a compact, high-resolution digital camera integrated directly into the binocular design. Just zoom in on a distant object you had like to photograph, press a button & you have captured a digital image to take home with you!

Once you have made your choice of binoculars best suited to your viewing requirements, you should have no trouble finding a great deal at shopping sites like Amazon & eBay. With no shortage of dependable on line merchants to select from, your new binoculars are just a few clicks away!

For information on binoculars, waterproof marine binoculars, or night vision binoculars please stop by our websites.

Lou Drake

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History Of Edwin Hubble

December 28th, 2007 stillaig Posted in Hubble | No Comments »

Edwin Hubble was born in 1889 in Mansfield, Missouri. He lived there with his family until they moved to Chicago in 1898.

Edwin attended high school in Chicago where he became interested in science & the mysteries of the universe. Two writers that he admired were Jules Verne & his “20,000 Leagues under the Sea” & Henry Haggard who wrote “King Solomons Mines”.


After high school Edwin Hubble went to Illinois State where he succeeded at basketball & boxing, while achieving a Bachelor’s degree in astronomy & mathematics.

Surprisingly as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University he studied law, not astronomy. After graduation Edwin went to Louisville Kentucky & started his law practice. Later he realized his dislike for law, & decided to study astronomy at Yerkes Observatory.

In 1917 Edwin Hubble earned his post-graduate plus doctorate in astronomy from the University of Chicago.

Hubble while working at California’s Mount Wilson Observatory proved the existence of other galaxies by using the Hooker reflecting telescope the Cepheids was outside the Milky Way galaxy.

Edwin Hubble in 1929 first introduced his Hubble telescope & created Hubble’s Law which helped astronomers to determine the age of the universe & proof that it’s expanding.

By: Anne Noonan

Anne Noonan makes it quick & easy to select the best telescope for you… Learn more by reading our
best telescope reviews website. Plus check out the history of the Hubble Telescope.

Anne Noonan

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Have You Seen Worlds Largest Satellite Images?

December 26th, 2007 stillaig Posted in General Astronomy | No Comments »

Can you imagine how large an image is, which has dimensions of 86400 pixels wide & 43200 pixels high?

Offhand it’s probably hard for your inner eye to imagine how big that is in reality. To put these wild dimensions into perspective they can be compared to an average computer monitor that displays 1024 x 768 pixels. Maybe you’re reading this article with a resolution of a similar size. Therefore, to be easily able to view the whole image at the same time you would need more than 4700 monitors!

If it is still too hard to grasp how large these giant satellite images really are, you could compare it to 746 photos taken with a typical 5 mega pixel modern amateur camera.

NASA was established more than fifty years ago & has been a world leader in studies of our home planet. They have always been on the sharp edge of this development - In 1972 they were able to boast of being the owner of the first full-colour satellite image of the Earth.

Later in 2002, scientist & data visualizers took four months of observations from the Terra satellite, including the land surface, coastal oceans, sea ice, and clouds, and stitched them together into one photo-like image of the planet. They called this image the Blue Marble, which is the most detailed coloured image of the Earth’s surface that has ever been produced.

Today, NASA operate 18 of the most advanced Earth-observing satellites ever built, helping scientists make very intricate & detailed observations of our world.

The Blue Marble Next Generation is the newest series of 12 monthly cloud-free, global-scale images. The BMNG visualizes seasonal changes of the land surface (spring greening, snow-melt, drought, etc.) in monthly steps, at a resolution of 500 metres per pixel. Each of the 12 images is more than ten GB in size!

To reach the highest possible quality of detailed image, it’s made zoomable by use of advanced eRez Imaging Server technology. The image server algorithms make it possible for ordinary Internet users to study details of images over any Internet Connection, which is normally impossible to work with in a normal way, in effect, as if you were working with your family album.

An image server combined with an interactive viewer allows you to access these enormous images without having to download them; simply zoom into the images in your favourite web browser.

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We would like to encourage you to go on a visual exploration tour of our planet. Find your favourite mountain range or desert & take yourself on a journey to learn more about our fascinating planet Earth!

http://www.image-server.biz/en/earth-zoom.html

http://www.image-server.biz

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Micah Klitgaard

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Why Astronomical Binoculars Are Becoming Popular Over Telescopes

December 25th, 2007 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

Astronomy is taught in universities, colleges, and selected high schools today. While observing the stars is considered a scholarly challenge, amateur gazers find it enjoyable entertainment. The opportunity to view the stars in an appreciable way requires a telescope. The need for using sophisticated equipment for viewing the stars has limited the number of participants. More recently binoculars have been used for astronomical viewing. Do you follow? The result is appreciable for many people considering the easier mobility & simpler operation of the binocular equipment. There is a great difference in price, comparing a telescope & binoculars. Transporting a telescope has always been a hard assignment because the instrument is cumbersome & setup is an involved process. The best binoculars for astronomy use are (7 x 50) or larger. Any size binocular can be often used for viewing stars & sky objects, but choosing quality equipment promises better results.

The binocular rating has two basic parameters: magnification & aperture. The first number tells the magnification factor. A second number is the aperture, the diameter of the lenses. A (7 x 50) binocular shows a view magnified 7 times & it has objective lenses fifty mm wide. Objects will appear brighter with wider lenses. The area of land or sky that is presented to your eyes by using binoculars is referred to as the field of view. Astronomers have expressed these fields in degrees. Clear? In order to define the quality performance of their products, binocular makers present the field of view in mathematical conversions that show a variance of fields. Binoculars with larger fields of view may work better, but the cost is considerably more.

When choosing binoculars for astronomical use, both technical quality & optical quality are important aspects. Many astronomers are professionals, but amateur observers have embraced the romance of stargazing also. Each group enjoys the beauty of the sky & they appreciate the gentle relaxation gained by watching the stars. Adaptation of binoculars for a telescope offered change along with creating new opportunities. One group of star gazers aims to enjoy their astronomical pursuits while using as little amount of equipment as possible while the another group requires a sophisticated telescope for their endeavors. Each group will select equipment for viewing/observing the stars after consideration of all available information. Nevertheless, the capabilities of binoculars appeal to both groups as they select equipment that best fits their needs.

Regardless of whether you select to use telescopes or astronomical binoculars stargazing ans planet watching is a rewarding & educational pastime that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This is a super activity for bringing the whole family together.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as www.bestbinocularsonline.com“>astronomical binoculars at www.bestbinocularsonline.com

Gregg Hall

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