The Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS) was a great success for many manufacturers and exhibitors that I talked to while there. I also thought it was a fun and rewarding trip. Take a look at some of the photographs and videos I made while at PATS. You might see someone you know, at least by name in Astronomy magazine. At right, Astronomy Contributing Editor Mike Reynolds, Scott Roberts, president of Explore Scientific, and Astronomy Contributing...

Astronomy magazine columnist Stephen James O’Meara ’s sent us two blogs from the 2009 Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show. Many thanks to Steve for sending these reports! Day One Arrived in Pasadena Saturday morning and immediately immersed myself in the telescope fever at the Pacific Astronomy Telescope Show (PATS), organized by the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference. This is not a telescope-making convention. It's a telescope expo with more...

What do you get when you combine more than 50 innovative telescope, camera, and accessory dealers with 1,000 eager amateur astronomers? The answer is the Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS), which is happening this weekend in Pasadena, California. As the Astronomy editor who mainly works with the hobby and equipment aspects of our science, I’m always eager to see new products from manufacturers. Well, the first day of PATS did not disappoint...

I’m at the 2009 Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS) that runs Saturday and Sunday. Early Friday, I ducked into several sessions of the Riverside Astroimaging Workshop (RAW). Organizers of RAW this year found speakers to present sessions on “affordable” and “advanced” imaging. Don Goldman from Astrodon Filters gave more seasoned astrophotographers a 2-hour talk on narrowband imaging. Don contributes fabulous deep-sky images to Astronomy, and...

This weekend, thousands of avid amateur astronomers and interested hobbyists are converging on Pasadena, California, for the 2009 Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS). And, guess what? I’m here, too. Astronomy magazine represents the largest audience available to manufacturers developing new telescopes, cameras, eyepieces, and a wide array of accessories. I’m looking forward to seeing them all this weekend. It’s get-togethers like this where...