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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – November 20 -22, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:04:13 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Yep. The Moon is back, but this weekend can still present some great opportunities for enjoying astronomy. If you're up early or out late? Well, hey… The Leonid meteor shower is still producing activity! Why not take a few minutes to learn about a great variable star you can follow without optical aid or study a new lunar feature? There's plenty to do for binoculars and small telescopes – and perhaps even a clever new study you haven't looked at yet! Whenever you're ready, I'll see you in the dark… (...)
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Kid's Astronomy: Celestial Birds Migrate West?

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:43:47 +0000

Hello, Cosmic Kids! As the seasons change, not only do the Earthly birds migrate, but so do the celestial ones. In the Northern Hemisphere, it's not unusual to see large flocks of our feathered friends moving on to warmer climes, but did you know that there are bird constellations that are migrating, too? Instead of flying south for the Winter, these ancient avians are headed west… (...)
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Leonids Light Up The Night – 2009 Leonid Meteor Shower Information

Tammy Plotner — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:18:23 +0000

The annual Leonid Meteor Shower is about to light up the night… And the time to start watching is now. The year 2009 will not see a Leonid storm, but an outburst for sure. There are still some uncertainties regarding the time of maximum of the 1466 trail. For those of you seeking a definitive date and time, it isn't always possible, but we can learn a whole lot about when and where to look. (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – November 13-15, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:45:15 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! It's a dark sky weekend and for many of us, the weather scene is improving greatly. Are you ready to enjoy some astronomy? Then take the chance to get out in the early morning and admire the alluring dance of the "Old Moon in the New Moon's Arms" as it silently changes planetary partners over the next few days and catch some bright and early Leonid meteors. You won't need gigantic optics to enjoy this weekend's studies as we have a look at some very impressive double stars, galaxies and open clusters. Dust off those optics! And meet me in the backyard…. (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – November 13-15, 2009 (979 words)

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Jupiter's Dueling Red Spots

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:56:39 +0000

Even though most of us have been suffering from poor seeing conditions due to both hemisphere's seasonal climate changes, the changes we're experiencing look like nothing compared to what's happening on Jupiter. If you think we've got turbulent atmosphere and more than our fair share of clouds – then check out what John Chumack's been watching! (...)
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Supernova 2009js… Another One Bites The Dust!

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:22:26 +0000

SN 2009 JS in NGC 918 by Joe Brimacombe

Far away in the constellation of Aries, in a 14th magnitude barred spiral galaxy designated as NGC 918… a star exploded with enough candlepower to briefly outshine its home. Discovered independently by Lick Observatory Supernova Search (LOSS) and Koichi Itagaki (Japan) on October 11, 2009, this Type II supernova might be hiding in the intergalactic dust, but it isn't hiding from Joe Brimacombe. (...)
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IYA Live Telescope – M50

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:18:32 +0000

Did you get a chance to check out the IYA Live Telescope? Our last object was Messier 50 (also known as M 50 or NGC 2323) is an open cluster in the constellation Monoceros. It was perhaps discovered by G. D. Cassini before 1711 and independently discovered by Charles Messier in 1772. M50 is at a distance of about 3,000 light-years away from Earth. It is described as a 'heart-shaped' figure. You'll find the video inside! (...)
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The Orionid Meteor Shower – What Did You See?

Tammy Plotner — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:00:58 +0000

If you had the opportunity this morning to witness the offspring of Comet Halley, then I'm curious as to what you might have noticed about this reliable annual meteor shower. (...)
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Skies Sparkle For Both Hemispheres – The Annual Orionid Meteor Shower!

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:12:58 +0000

It's not often that both hemispheres of the Earth get treated to an annual meteor shower, but in a matter of hours the complex Orionid stream is heading to dark sky your way! Where and when do you watch? Will it be as good as this year's Perseids as filmed by John Chumack above? Try even better! Follow me… (...)
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IYA Live Telescope: Mmmm, Mmmmm, Good!

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:09:46 +0000

If you've had an opportunity over the last few days to check in on our IYA "Live" Telescope, we've been keeping an eye on the Messier Catalog Objects for you… specifically some bright open clusters named M46, M47 and M48! If you didn't get a chance to catch them while they were on the air, then feel free to have a look at our video capture… (...)
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Hot Crescent Rolls… A Bubble?

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:27:24 +0000

The Crescent Nebula, also known as NGC 6888, is a very well renown and most intriguing object located in the constellation Cygnus in the northern hemisphere. At an apparent size of about 18 by 13 arc-minutes it is a very pale nebula. Even in a moderate amateur telescope you can't quite see this one unless you have absolute dark skies (or narrow band filters) and a decent "light bucket". So how do we get a chance to study it? Photographically, of course… (...)
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Request For Twilight Observations of U Scorpii

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:59:23 +0000

Further to AAVSO Alert Notice 367 and Special Notices 127 and 141, the AAVSO requests twilight observations of the recurrent nova U Scorpii prior to its solar conjunction in late 2009. These observations are in support of the long-term campaign by Dr. Bradley Schaefer (LSU) to catch this very fast nova during its rise. (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 16-18, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:11:47 +0000

Greetings, fellow Stargazers! Were you up early this morning? If so, you were greeted by an awesome scene, much like this one captured by Danilo Pivato. There's nothing more eyecatching the a close appearance of Venus and the Moon! With dark skies this weekend, it will be a good opportunity to broaden your astronomical horizons by chasing lesser known objects in both binoculars and telescopes. Of course there are challenges, too! Whenever you're ready, I'll see you in the back yard…. (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 16-18, 2009 (774 words)

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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 9-11, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:57:38 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! It's a much darker weekend – and just in time for the Draconid Meteor Shower! If you haven't been watching the early morning trio of Venus, Mercury and Saturn, there's still time… Just as there is time to chase a couple of Caldwell Objects and a very challenging galaxy study for more practiced observers. But we're not forgetting small scopes and binoculars either as we take a look at "What was Charles Messier thinking when he recorded M73?" It's time to turn your eyes to the skies and I'll see you in the dark… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 9-11, 2009 (1,005 words)

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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 2-4, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:13:38 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Are you ready to catch the planetary action? Then get thee out into the night, because right now is the perfect time of year to catch all of our solar system bodies in the same day! Be sure to be out on Saturday night, too… Because it's "Harvest Moon"! Need a little bit more of a challenge? Then fly off to Cygnus as we take a look at two of its most beautiful (and challenging) double stars! Whenever you're ready, I'll see you in the dark… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 2-4, 2009 (932 words)

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The Sky-Watcher AZ4 102 Refractor Telescope… How Sweet It is!

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:30:03 +0000

If you're looking for a quality refractor telescope that costs well under $400 and performs like it should cost twice as much – then you're really going to want to take a look at the Sky-Watcher AZ4 102 Refractor Telescope. I had read some posts on the Bad Astronomy Universe Today forum about how Sky-Watcher was a new comer into the industry and people were expressing their concerns about the quality of the telescopes they manufacture. I can understand not wanting to take a chance with a fairly unknown company – so I did the logical thing. I asked for one… (...)
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Infrared Moonset

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:49:53 +0000

When it comes to the Moon, there are times when I feel like the "Queen of Selene". In just a few short weeks there will be a whole new style of lunar observing book out on the market, and just when I thought I'd heard it all and seen it all… along comes something new! While the header photograph on this article is absolutely spectacular, you're going to go about your day (and night) smiling if you stop to take a look at what's inside… (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 25-27, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:13:13 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! We're back and recovered from a star party – and what an awesome time! (I felt like Dorothy in the "Land of Oz"… Comets and meteors and galaxies… oh, my!) I am sure that many of you also enjoyed a great time and although the Moon is back on this weekend scene, why not celebrate it? Just how long has it been since you've kicked back and relaxed with a little lunacy in your scope? Pick up a sketchbook, or get creative with a camera! Lunatic fringe? I know you're out there. And I'll see you inside… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 25-27, 2009 (768 words)

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Sky Scouting Out Astronomy Fun!

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:31:27 +0000

What happens when you mix a large group of kids with a telescope that talks? Chances are, you've got a recipe for loads of astronomy fun. Thanks to a generous donation of a Celestron SkyScout 90 telescope and more, the Outreach Team at Warren Rupp Observatory soon found out what it was like to take on more than 300 guests during a recent public night and just how valuable certain pieces of astronomy education equipment can be. Come on inside where it's dark and let me show you what we've found… (...)
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IYA "Live" Telescope Today – NGC 7009

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:41:15 +0000

Did you get a chance to catch the live action on our southern hemisphere based telescope today? Then you missed a real treat! We had a chance to view NGC 7009 – the "Saturn Nebula" live for several hours. Of course, the small aperture of the scope doesn't do it the incredible justice that it deserves from the pristine skies in Central Victoria's Macedon Ranges Observatory, but wow… It sure was cool! If you didn't get a chance to see it, then thank Scopemaster Bert for shooting a video for us and make some popcorn. It's waiting inside…. (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 18-20, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:19:12 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! It's an awesome weekend forecast for many of us attending Fall Star Parties, and all over the world we're looking forward to moonless nights and the fellowship with our brother and sister amateur astronomers. If you've never been to a star party, try the Goggle pages for information… you just might find one going on near you! In the meantime, let's have us a "Snowball" fight, chase some galaxies and ponder double stars! I'll see you in the night…(...)
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IYA (Almost) Live Telescope!

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:07:53 +0000

Greetings! In case you weren't tuned into Galactic TV yesterday… We had us a regular skyfest! Truly pristine dark skies ruled and the IYA "Live" telescope rocked the Aussie night away. For more than 8 hours we went from target to target – and loved every minute of it. While we could have done a lot more than four objects, allowing you time to enjoy them is a worthwhile effort, too. While I'd ordinarily spread this over a couple of days I'm going to post all our objects – M2, M41, M93 and M46 – right now because I'm outta' here for the Hidden Hollow Star Party. Want to party at your end? Then check out information on our iPhone Galactic TV Weekend Marathon! Enjoy!! (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 11-13, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:41:21 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Now that the Moon is backing off the early evening skies, it's time to enjoy some more elusive targets – like ones that are gone in the "blink" of an eye, or "veiled" in mystery… While you might think all of these are telescope-only domain, if you've got dark skies and eyes, you might be surprised! Why not take some time this weekend to get out your telescopes or binoculars and have some fun? There's some tasty summer treats waiting on you, and I'll see you in the backyard… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 11-13, 2009 (881 words)

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IYA Live Telescope Today: Messier 93

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:35:37 +0000

At last… Some clear skies in Central Victoria! (and i thought ohio was bad…) If you had a chance to check on our IYA Live Telescope today, you got a treat. We broadcast the "Running Man Nebula" for awhile, then switched over to Puppis as it rose to pick up Messier 93. Need a replay? We saved one for you… (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: September 4-6, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:57:05 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Ah, yes… Full Moon. Are you ready to howl? If you didn't get a chance to watch the galiean moons do their dance last weekend, then be sure to catch the awesome video you'll find inside! In the meantime, keep your ears alert for the rise of tonight's "Full Corn Moon" and check out the Omicron gems. As the skies get darker, the Herschel challenges warm up – so dust off your optics and I'll see you in the backyard… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: September 4-6, 2009 (1,052 words)

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