Stargazing With Someone Else's Telescope!

SLOOH is a robotic observatory on the Canary Islands. Every Monday, whenever conditions permit viewing, you can participate in mulitple SLOOH "missions" over the course of an hour-long session.

What does SLOOH stand for? Apparently it's about putting the OOH into SLEW!

High atop Mount Teide, on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, the telescopes of SLOOH stand nestled among the facilities of a professional astronomical observatory. SLOOH is a subscription-based web site that streams live images of dozens of celestial objects viewed by its telescopes each clear night over the Internet.

SLOOH currently uses several 3-megapixel CCD cameras and four telescopes (in two domes):


a 14-inch diameter Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope (focal length 2160mm) high magnification scope and and Wide Field Lens System with a focal length of 135mm at f/5.6 in Dome 1
14-inch diameter Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope (SCT) with a focal length of 4,000 mm, and an 85-mm diameter APO refractor telescope with a focal length of 480 mm in Dome 2

The organization will soon be adding an additional 14-inch SCT with a focal length of 2,100 mm, as well as a 34-mm diameter refractor with a focal length of 135 mm. Members are allowed to control the scopes from their own computer. Bringing the rhythms and wonder of space exploration to people of all ages, SLOOH's telescopes are the centerpiece of live interactive missions to the wonders of the universe.

The site is good for someone who knows nothing about astronomy and for avid, enthusiastic hobbyists, for first-time observers of all ages and parents wanting to introduce their kids to the cosmos without buying, assembling, and learning to use telescopes. Would-be astronomers can gaze at live images of the night sky, but in the comfort of their homes. The preset missions are broadcast live, with only brief intermissions as the telescopes and CCD cameras are slewed from one celestial body to another.

The annual $49 basic membership package gives you unlimited access to group missions and the ability to log on any time you like during mission hours. This basic package also gives you 15 minutes per year of solo time in which you decide where to point the scopes. While the basic membership has some restrictions, an "all-you-can-eat" option is avaliable for $99 yearly.

To guarantee its visitors only the best experience, SLOOH tests the speed of your Internet connection and accepts only visitors with connection speeds of 40 kbps (40k) or greater.

SLOOH makes extensive use of the latest Macromedia Flash Player, a web-browser plug-in. Before you arrive at your interface, SLOOH checks to see if your browser has the latest Flash Player installed and directs you to download it if you do not.

While missions are running, SLOOH's operators often chat with visitors in the SLOOH Chat Room. You can join them if you have AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM) software installed. This is an optional feature only. For details, you need to click the Chat button on the mission interface.

If you arrive early, the mission will start automatically at the scheduled time. If you arrive while the mission is running, you will join it in progress.

SLOOH also run a Users Group on on Yahoo so you can check out what people have to say about it.

Version 2 of SLOOH went live on March 18th, 2006. A year in the making, this version has been inspired its users' commitment to live astronomy. In addition to existing features, SLOOH 2 offers some bold and novel new elements

that will attract an even greater membership from around the globe.

SLOOH 2.0 is designed to empower its users (from over 60 countries) to share their enthusiasm for

astronomy with the greater public. Foremost among the changes is the new Member Channel, which enables members to broadcast their solo missions to the rest of the viewing membership. A new desktop alert system will also be introduced, which will notify members when special missions are lined up with a live host who will narrate specifically about the celestial object in view.

When you consider the price of buying a telescope comparable in size to those used at SLOOH against the low fees they charge, it's really a no-brainer. And, while it may be cloudy outside, where you live, the skies in the Canaries are virtually guaranteed to be clear. SLOOH can give you your skywatching fix, wherever in the world you live.

Gary Nugent recommends you check out the SLOOH review at http://www.nightskyobserver.com/Articles/SLOOH.php where you can also see photos of the SLOOH interface, the observatory and some sample images taken by the SLOOH telescopes.

Gary Nugent has been involved with astronomy as a hobby, either running astronomy clubs, publishing magazines or writing astronomy software for over 30 years. He runs one of the best-known astronomy and space news websites - the Night Sky Observer [http://www.nightskyobserver.com] which has been online since 1997.

The Universe in the Palm of Your Hands - Stargazing With Binoculars

Do you like the idea of exploring the universe from your own backyard? The truth is that you don't need a telescope to get started! Lots of people find that simply buying some astronomy binoculars will help you get the view of the heavens that you are after. When you are looking for telescope binoculars and if you are in a place where you want to really figure out what your options are, you'll find that there are a number of different options available to you. Check out some of the specifications that you can use to ensure that your astronomy binoculars are precisely what you are interested in.

Magnification

When you are looking at the magnifying power, you will see it given as two numbers, maybe something like 6 x 30 or 7 x 35. The first number is how many times the object that you are looking at is going to be magnified, while the second number refers to the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters. What sort of magnification do you need when you are thinking about doing some star gazing? While a higher magnification will let you cut through light pollution more effectively, remember that ti will also narrow your field of vision, making it much harder to figure out "where you are." Higher magnification will also heighten the movement of the stars. If you are working with hand-held astronomy binoculars, a magnification of 10 is usually the highest level recommended.

Objective Lens Diameter

The second number refers to how wide the lens is. The wider the lens, the more powerful the telescope binoculars' ability to gather light. It gives weight and bulk to the objects that you are seeing, and you'll find that this adds a very real, very 3D effect to objects you are seeing. This measurement is also known as the aperture, and the larger the aperture, the brighter the image is, and the better the resolution is.

Roof vs Porro Prism

The prism is essentially a triangular piece of light-reflecting glass that has polished edges. It serves to fold the path of the light and it flips the image so you don't see it upside down. The traditional prism that you will have available to you is the porro prism, which is shaped like a Z. It's great for astronomy, and it will reflect the path of the light three times. A roof prism model, on the other hand, is more compact, the path of the light is longer as it will fold four times. Like a porro prism is good for astronomy, a roof prism is preferable for things on the ground.

BaK-4 vs BK-7 Phase Coating

You should also have a look at what is used to coat your astronomy binoculars' prism. BK-7 refers to a coating made of boro-silicate glass, while BAK-4 uses barium crown glass. The latter is usually preferred for the purposes of star gazing is it has a higher density and because it reduces the amount of light scattering. Using BAK-4 phase coating gives you a sharper picture.

Take some time to figure out what handheld astronomy binoculars are best for you!

For more information on handheld astronomy binoculars, please visit Telescope Binoculars.

Stargazing and Planetgazing With Binoculars

For the newcomer to stargazing or indeed planet gazing, a good pair of binoculars are a major step up from scanning the skies with the unaided eye.

You will be able to develop your astronomical ability by looking at stars, viewing planets and locating constellations before going to the relative expense of purchasing a telescope.

There are many benefits to using binoculars for stargazing.

* The cost, good binoculars can be a lot less expensive than a telescope

* They are much easier to handle and use for a less experienced skywatcher. They are smaller, lighter and don't require any setting up.

* Binoculars provide a much larger field of view than the vast majority of telescopes. This makes finding objects easier. This is one of the biggest challenges faced by the beginner.

* Locating constellations, and observing comets is much easier with binoculars, as you can scan a lot of the sky quickly.

* Binoculars have lots of other uses and so you will get value from your purchase.

As well as your binoculars you will also need an astronomy sky chart to help you find your way around the skies.

A red flashlight is also handy. This allows you to look at your charts or any books you may have with out ruining your night vision. If you can't purchase a red torch, just cover a normal white light torch with red cellophane.

If you have developed your sky watching skills with your unaided eyes, you will find it a lot easier to pick things out using binoculars. Planet gazing will be within reach with binoculars too.

A visit to your local library will be very beneficial. Try to find a book that will show what a certain planet or object will look through binoculars.

Also remember that when going out on a clear night for a spot of sky watching that the temperature can soon drop. So always wrap up warm.

If you have decided to use a large pair of binoculars, you may find a tripod with a binocular mount a great help.

It isn't much fun finding a planet or constellation and then having the views ruined by your trembling hands.

A notebook is another good thing to carry. You can the write down and make notes about the things you have seen.

As with all things, the internet is absolutely fantastic for finding information about astronomy, and a quick Google will yield enough results and reading material to feed your hungry brain for a long time.

But even if your interest in astronomy only runs to learning the names of the stars in the sky,

a nice, small and compact pair of binoculars make stargazing and planet viewing more interesting.

Take a look at my binocular discount centre below and happy viewing.

http://www.bestbinocularsprice.com

Stargazer - Evernight Book 2 by Claudia Gray

Fans of Stephenie Meyer and P.C. Cast will enjoy Stargazer, the second book in Claudia Gray's young adult series. The gothic vampire romance has a likable cast and Gray deftly portrays teenage angst in the heroine as she tells the story in first person. It brings some cleverly plotted twists to a genre that seems flooded with teenage vampires.

Summer is over and sixteen year old Bianca returns to Evernight Academy where her parents are professors. Not yet a full vampire she doesn't fit in with the humans or the vampire students at the gothic boarding school. In the previous book she fell in love with another outcast, Lucas, who turned out to be a vampire hunter. When the truth about his identity was revealed, he fled the school. Now he and Bianca meet secretly. She will do anything to see him again, even if it puts her in danger from the Black Cross, a group of vampire hunters.

In Stargazer the plot thickens and the story is more engrossing than it was in book one. Bianca is becoming stronger and it's only a matter of time before she becomes a full-blooded vampire. All the characters are more developed and new revelations raise the stakes. A love triangle develops between Bianca, Lucas and Balthazar. Which one will she choose? Ghostly wraith hauntings are aimed at Bianca and her parents have been keeping secrets from her. There are enough loose threads to make me eager to read book three of this darkly entertaining series.

Reading Level: Young Adult

Publisher: HarperTeen; 1 edition (March 24, 2009)

ISBN: 978-0-06-128440-3

Hardcover: 336 Pages

Price: $16.99

Gail Pruszkowski reviews for "Romantic Times BOOKreviews" magazine and her work has been published in the "Cup of Comfort" Anthologies.

http://mysite.verizon.net/bookworm.gp/

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Stargazing Through an Online Telescope

In today's modern hi-tech world, we are able to converse with people half way around the world with a click of the computer mouse. The Internet has opened up a whole new world of information and communication. Well, the field of astronomy is no exception and has ushered in a new way of viewing the heavens - through an online telescope.

Online telescope viewing is relatively new, but can be a real benefit to those who do not own a telescope, or a telescope with photographic capabilities, and have a real interest in stargazing. Through the comforts of our own homes, we can now capture, view and study images that are obtained through observatories of celestial bodies throughout the cosmos. The Internet has provided us the opportunity to view new worlds beyond our own by accessing an online telescope.

How Does an Online Telescope Work?

The process of using an online telescope for viewing the stars and planets is relatively easy once you understand what information is required. You first will need to coordinate the viewing times and dates. Participating observatories will coordinate your request, generally initiated through an email from you, and schedule the event. You should receive an email back from the observatory confirming the subject sighting, date and time.

The online telescope camera will record the viewing of the requested location or object and post them at a particular website address. You will be notified via email of the location to view your pictures. Usually, you can just simply click on the imbedded link in the email and you will be sent to the viewing page for detailed photos provided by the camera of the online telescope.

Just having access to some of the top observatories' telescopes for your own personal stargazing needs is incredible. The only thing better than viewing the universe through the online telescope images would be to have your own live online telescope. Unfortunately, this option would cost millions of dollars and, for most of us, exceed our stargazing budgets.

Different Online Telescope Viewing Options

When you make your request to the observatory, you can ask that the online telescope be utilized in a few different ways:

Specify Certain Astronomical Coordinates

The first viewing method will be specific to certain coordinates. The coordinates may correspond to the position of a specific star, planet, solar system, etc. If you are confused about the specific coordinates to provide the online telescope observatory, catalogs are available of the celestial bodies and their respective locations.

Request a Specific Planet, Star, or System

Another method that might be slightly easier is to request a specific star or planet be photographed by the online telescope. The observatory can also provide a more general image of larger areas of space. In addition, the participating observatory may grant requests for the use of different colored filters for your images.

If you are an amateur astronomer and want to experience the power and quality of a multi-million dollar piece of astronomy equipment, go to the Internet and search for 'online telescope' or 'camera online telescope'. There you will find participating observatories that are willing to open up the universe to you through their telescope's exceptional images of the cosmos!

Bill Wilson is a researcher and writer for online publications. To learn more about online telescope viewing, visit http://www.a1-telescopes.com where you will find tips on how to use an online telescope service for your astronomy needs.

Backyard Astronomy - Gazing Into The Past

Astronomy continues to be one of the more popular hobbies. One of the major reasons is because you can stargaze just about anywhere. Although country settings away from city lights are best, everyone can see the moon. And even though the closest star (after our sun), Alpha Centauri is over 4 light years away, can be seen easily with the naked eye.

While simple stargazing with the naked eye is great fun, using a telescope can be awe inspiring. The view of the heavens through even a small telescope is something that has to be experienced to be appreciated. Even though modern technology allows us to view the celestial realm with images on tv and through the internet, there is nothing quite like seeing it though a telescope.

Different Telescopes

There are basically three kinds of telescope. The refractor and reflector and catadioptric. The refractor telescope collects and bends light with a convex lense and eyepiece. This bending or refracting concentrates the light rays to a small focal point making things appear larger or brighter. The reflector telescope on the other hand, as its name suggests, reflects light from a convex mirror in the back of the telescope to another mirror in the front and finally to the eyepiece. The convex shape of the mirrors "scoop up" and concentrate the light to a focal point thereby magnifying an object. Caution: Objects in a telescope appear closer than they really are!

The third type, called Catadioptric, combines features from both reflecting and refracting telescopes.

Which one is best? For image quality and portability, my choice is the catadioptric. It's easily transported and has the best features of both the reflector and refractor telescopes. Because of the design, catadioptric telescopes are almost completely free of the coma found in reflectors and the chromatic aberration in refractors. Chromatic aberration is the distortion of color due to a lenses inability to bring various colors in the light into focus. Coma is the distortion of an object at the edge of your field of view.

Convenience is another factor to consider. If you have to transport your telescope as I do you'll appreciate the catadioptric's compact size, light weight and how easy it is to set up and take down.

Travel Through Time

We all know light travels at an unimaginable speed of 186,000 miles per second. Even our sun's light takes about 8 minutes to reach us once it's left the surface. Now think about our closest neighbor, Alpha Centauri. It's over 4 light years away so the light from its' surface began its' journey over 4 years ago. We are actually seeing it as it was more than 4 years in the past. In a very real sense we are looking back in time. Think back to what you were doing 4 years ago. Whatever it was, while you were doing it, light eminated from the surface of Alpha Centauri and came screaming along at 186,000 miles per second on the long journey toward earth, arriving here just a few minutes ago. Alpha Centauri is actually part of a star system. 3 separate stars, Alpha Centauri A and B form a binary while Alpha Centauri C is 13,000 Astronomical Units (AU) away. This is part of the reason it's easily seen with the naked eye, you are actually looking at 3 stars instead of 1.

Closer To Home

One need not look outside our own solar system to find amazing sites in the night sky. The moon may look smooth when seen with the naked eye but train a telescope on it and prepared to be wowed. The level of detail will depend on your telescope but the craters and jagged mountains are clearly visible. The best viewing, in my opinion is when the moon is in a crescent stage as the shadow created by the earth allows for much more detail to be seen. I saw the moon for the first time through a telescope years ago. I watched as it slowly drifted past my field of view and could almost feel its' movement. Of course I knew it moved along its' orbit around the earth but to actually see it moving was an incredible experience.

Saturn, probably the most fun to observe because of the rings, makes for spectacular stargazing. Depending on the time of year, the rings of Saturn are visible and to this observer, quite breathtaking. While I couldn't discern any colors or variations in the rings, they appear quite distinctly from the planet itself, something I'd seen only in books prior to that.

Stand on the shores of any ocean on earth and get a sense of the sheer enormity of it. Then realize that it's not even a drop in a bucket by comparison to the size of the sky it sits beneath. Looking up at the stars at night makes you realize just how massive everything really is. There is no number that can truly measure or even estimate its' size or dimensions. The only thing that can even remotely compare to the wonder of space is the imagination of those who view it.

Ron Berry is a freelance journalist who writes for Essay Street Article Directory and operates ScopeDoggie.com - The universal choice for telescopes online.

Professor Haro and His Passion For Stargazing

Indeed, the passion of a man can change the course of history in whatever field he is in. This is proven by the story of the renowned Mexican astrologist, Professor Guillermo Haro who have made great contributions in the development of astronomical research and studies in his country; and whose influence in the same field, continues to this very day.

Even if he studied and graduated in Philosophy, Guillermo Haro's interest was more inclined to that of stargazing. So after his Philosophy studies in the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), pursued his passion for astronomy and astrology. His love for the craft was intensified when he was hired as an assistant at the Observatory of Tonantzintla in 1943. It opened an opportunity for him to fulfill his passion for stargazing because of the available equipments he could use then.

He went to the United States in 1943 and worked as a scholar at the Harvard College Observatory until the end of the year 1944. After his training at the Harvard Observatory, he decided to return to Mexico in 1945. Due to his furthered knowledge and training in Astronomy and his good records, he was rehired at the Observatory of Tonantzinla. Armed with a 24-31 inch Schmidt camera, Haro made his most famous discovery (the same discovery made by George Herbig). The now known as Herbig-Haro objects was detected by Professor Haro during his stay at the said observatory. These objects are high density clouds which are actually non-stellar condensations near regions where a recent star formation happened. His other discoveries and studies include the detection of flare stars found in the region of the Orion nebula, studies on extremely red and extremely blue stars, and many other astronomical documents.

Because of his life's works, Professor Haro received numerous recognitions and was granted many awards during his lifetime. In his honor, an observatory found in Sonora Mexico is named after him.