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Sketching at the telescope: Randy Tatum’s details of Jupiter

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

Jupiter detail sketched by Randy Tatum using the 31-inch Cassegrain telescope at 236x at the University of Virginia’s Fan Mountain Observatory, October 17, 1987. David J. Eicher libraryThis “sketching at the telescope” edition features a sketch by Randy Tatum showing Jupiter’s bands and belts as they appeared on October 17, 1987. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn C...

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Escape to the observatories of the Southwest

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

Observatories of the Southwest: A Guide for Curious Skywatchers covers basic visitor information, historical background, and research results of eight observatories under the dark skies of America's Southwest. Astronomy magazine photoQ. Which amateur astronomer has dreamed of traveling through the American Southwest and visiting every major observatory along the way? A. Every single one of them. To help live out this common fantasy, I heartily encourage you to pick up a copy of Observat...

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Sketching at the telescope: Gregg D. Thompson’s NGC 40

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

NGC 40 sketched by Gregg D. Thompson with a 24-inch reflector from the Springwood Observatory in Australia. David J. Eicher libraryWe continue our series with a sketch by Australian observer Gregg D. Thompson showing the planetary nebula NGC 40, also known as the Bow-Tie Nebula, in Cepheus. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics column &quo...

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Little Johnny, we hardly knew ye

Posted 14 years ago by Chris Raymond

My first staff luncheon started, I guess, with Valerie Penton’s simple question shortly after I began working for Astronomy: “Chris, when is your birthday?” My response – September – produced an immediate crestfallen look on Val’s usually smiling visage before she stated: “Too bad, we needed an early-summer birthday.” Unfortunately, she explained, staff birthdays are bunched up toward the beginning of the year or the beginning of fall, creating a...

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Sketching at the telescope: Daniel Troiani’s Crescent Nebula

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

NGC 6888 sketched by Daniel Troiani with a 10-inch f/6 reflector at 185x, September 19, 1985. David J. Eicher libraryWe end the week with a sketch by Chicago observer Daniel Troiani of the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) in Cygnus. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics column "Sketching 101." See the rest of the Sketching at the tele...

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Sketching at the telescope: George de Lange’s NGC 246

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

NGC 246 sketched by George de Lange with a 13.5-inch f/4.5 reflector at 142x and a UHC filter from Picture Rock Park, Arizona. David J. Eicher libraryToday’s sketch by Arizona observer George de Lange is of the planetary nebula NGC 246 in Cetus. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics column "Sketching 101." See the rest of the Sk...

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Sketching at the telescope: Joe Caruso’s M83

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

M83 sketched by Joe Caruso from Green’s Peak, in the White Mountains of Arizona, using a 10-inch f/6 reflector at 40x. David J. Eicher libraryThis “sketching at the telescope” edition features a drawing by Joe Caruso showing the brilliant face-on galaxy M83 in Hydra. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics column "Sketching 101." ...

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Sketching at the telescope: Christopher Heil’s NGC 3184

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

NGC 3184 sketched by Christopher Heil using an 8-inch f/10 SCT at 80x. David J. Eicher libraryWe begin this shortened week with a sketch by Christopher Heil showing the face-on galaxy NGC 3184 in Ursa Major. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics column "Sketching 101." See the rest of the Sketching at the telescope series. &nbs...

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Veteran comet hunter discovers 11th comet

Posted 14 years ago by Karri Ferron

Still in the position where he first spotted the comet, Don Machholz’s 18-inch Dobsonian awaits another night of comet hunting in his backyard observatory. Don Machholz photoHave you ever wondered what it would be like to uncover a new comet in the sky? How about 11? Well, that’s exactly what the top comet hunter in the United States, Don Machholz, accomplished earlier this year. Ray Fox, a graphic artist, web developer, and musician by day and amateur astronomer by night, was kind enough to sha...

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Piotr Brych’s great new star atlas

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

The atlas features 296 foldout maps that depict 2.4 million stars and some 70,000 deep-sky objects. Karri Ferron photoFew astronomy books of the past several decades have become instant classics, but this new star atlas will be one of them. Published in 2009 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s initial observations, The Great Atlas of the Sky is a mammoth undertaking that will be a cornerstone of any serious sky observer’s library. Polish astronomer Piotr Byrch, a graduate of the Wa...

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Sketching at the telescope: Klaus Brasch’s Mars

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

Mars sketched by Klaus Brasch using a 14-inch f/10 SCT at 430x and a #25 red filter, October 17, 1988. David J. Eicher libraryToday’s sketch of the planet Mars is by Klaus Brasch. Mars spends this Memorial Day weekend near Leo’s luminary, Regulus. (To find Mars and Regulus in your night sky, be sure to check out Astronomy.com’s StarDome.) To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and rea...

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Explore the solar system with Steve O’Meara

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

Exploring the Solar System with Binoculars by Stephen James O'Meara is a handy reference that will become one of your favorites in no time. Astronomy magazine photoIf you want a great new observing book for the onset of warm weather (where some of us are, at least!), check out Astronomy Contributing Editor Stephen James O’Meara’s new book, Exploring the Solar System with Binoculars (156 pp., paper, Cambridge University Press, New York, $29.99). The work of a great observer, and containing pr...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society June meeting, Wednesday recap

Posted 14 years ago by Bill Andrews

The poster sessions at the 216th meeting of the American Astronomical Society proved just as fascinating as some of its talks, with the added bonus of the occasional coffee break! Bill Andrews photoAfter all the apocalypse, exoplanets, and solar talks Tuesday at the 216th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), I wanted to make sure I gave ample time to the somewhat quieter, but equally interesting, scientific poster sessions. Some of the big players in the exhibition hall (Apogee In...

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Sketching at the telescope: Dave Eicher's M82

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

M82 sketched by Dave Eicher using an 8-inch f/10 SCT at 170x. David J. Eicher libraryIt’s time for another sketch of mine. This one features the starburst galaxy M82 in Ursa Major, also known as the Cigar Galaxy. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics column "Sketching 101." See the rest of the Sketching at the telescope series. ...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society June meeting, Tuesday recap

Posted 14 years ago by Bill Andrews

This eerie close-up shot of the Sun in ultraviolet light demonstrates the kind of hauntingly beautiful, and scientifically rich, photos NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory is capable of. NASA/GSFC/SDO photoTuesday was the big day of the Solar Dynamics Observatory’s (SDO) first results talk at the 216th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). So many people wanted to see it that the room quickly filled up — it was a rare standing-room-only talk. “It works!” said Jesper Schou of Stanfor...

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Sketching at the telescope: Richard Baum’s Comet West

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

Comet West sketched by Richard Baum with the naked eye March 2, 1976, at 6:05 UT. David J. Eicher libraryToday’s “sketching at the telescope” edition features a beautiful illustration by English observer Richard Baum showing Comet West around the time of its peak brightness. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics column "Sketching 101....

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Sketching at the telescope: Phillip W. Budine’s Copernicus Crater

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

Copernicus sketched by Phillip W. Budine with a 4-inch refractor at 214x, June 23, 1962, at 2:55 UT. David J. Eicher libraryToday’s sketch of the lunar crater Copernicus is by noted observer Phillip W. Budine, who for many years was active in the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics column &qu...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society June meeting, Monday recap

Posted 14 years ago by Bill Andrews

An excited crowd awaits the start of Monday’s public lecture at the 216th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, “The Solar Dynamics Observatory: Your On-Orbit Eye on the Sun.” Project scientist W. Dean Pesnell’s entertaining talk easily made it worth the wait. Bill Andrews photoMonday morning, I woke up bright and early, eager to begin attending the talks at the 216th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) in Miami. At first I thought I might have been the only one to do so, ...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society June meeting, Sunday recap

Posted 14 years ago by Bill Andrews

A yacht sails by as some of the attendees of the 216th meeting of the American Astronomical Society mingle, eat, and prepare for a fun-filled few days. Bill Andrews photoAs I mentioned last time, I know a few folks here in Florida, so I arrived a day early to spend some time with them. I got a lot of questions about the 216th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) — the reason I’m actually here in the Sunshine State — and I was even able to answer a few. Presumably, after the activit...

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Sketching at the telescope: Dave Eicher’s M74

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

M74 sketched by David J. Eicher using an 8-inch f/10 SCT at 50x. David J. Eicher libraryThis “sketching at the telescope” edition features a sketch of mine of the famous face-on galaxy M74 in Pisces. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics column "Sketching 101." See the rest of the Sketching at the telescope series. &nbs...

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On the Road: Nashville astronomy, Day 3

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

Beth Nielsen Chapman, Rodney Crowell, and Marcus Hummon performing (with a bluebird projected onto the observatory dome) at Dyer Observatory, Nashville, Saturday, May 22, 2010. David J. Eicher photoOn Saturday, May 22, 2010, I spent another full day immersed in astronomy and history and — this time — music. Rocky Alvey, director of Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory, has assembled a periodic set of music shows up on the mountain that brings together several hundred enthusiasts who hear beautiful song...

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On the Road: Nashville astronomy, Day 2

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

The front side of Dyer Observatory offers an impressive view to visitors. David J. Eicher photoOn Friday, May 21, I spent the day in Nashville with Rocky Alvey, director of Vanderbilt University’s Dyer Observatory, and with an old friend — Edward Emerson Barnard (1857–1923). E. E. Barnard, as he was universally known, was a great American astronomer and is revered by astronomy enthusiasts as the “last great visual observer” in the history of astronomy. His life bridged the gap between a childhoo...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society June meeting preview

Posted 14 years ago by Bill Andrews

Having finally caught up on the work I missed attending the 2010 Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF), I’m now getting ready to fly to Miami to cover the 216th American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting. While it will be a little more “sciencey” than NEAF, I’m still looking forward to hearing (and blogging and tweeting) about the latest discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics. The meeting will be in conjunction with the Solar Physics Division of AAS, so that and new data from the recently launche...

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Sketching at the telescope: Stephen O’Meara’s Mars

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

The Mare Sirenum-Mare Cimmerium region of Mars sketched by Stephen James O’Meara with the 60-inch telescope at Mount Wilson, California. The dark albedo feature near the center is what O’Meara termed “Valhalla.” This observation was made August 7 of an unknown year. David J. Eicher libraryThis sketch by Contributing Editor Stephen James O’Meara is of the “Valhalla” region on Mars, which was famously first observed by Steve in 1988. The drawing is undated except for “August 7, 7–11 hours U.T...

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On the Road: Nashville astronomy, Day 1

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

C. R. “Bob” O’Dell, one of the great professors of astronomy of the last several decades, poses below a 1/5 scale model of the Hubble Space Telescope at Dyer Observatory. Not only is Bob the world’s leading expert on the Orion Nebula (among other things), he is the former director of Yerkes Observatory and was one of the primary instigators of the Hubble Space Telescope project. David J. EicherOn Thursday, May 20, I arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, early in the morning, having been invited to ...

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Sketching at the telescope: Jim Phillips’ Jupiter

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

Jupiter sketched by Jim Phillips with an 8-inch refractor at 165x, 203x, and 252x, November 9, 1986, from 8:30 to 10:15 ET. David J. Eicher libraryThe drawing I’ve chosen from my collection today is one by Jim Phillips of the king of the planets, Jupiter. He sketched this close-up drawing November 9, 1986. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers can access my Astronomy.com video "Sketching from the telescope" and read Glenn Chaple's Observing Ba...

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Sketching at the telescope: Jay Albert’s Pinwheel Galaxy

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

The Pinwheel Galaxy (M33) sketched by Jay Albert using an 11-inch SCT at 88x, 165x, and 224x, along with a Lumicon Deep Sky filter. David J. Eicher libraryThis “sketching at the telescope” edition features a sketch by Jay Albert of the famous Pinwheel Galaxy (M33) in Triangulum. Jay used an 11-inch SCT and magnifications of 88x, 165x, and 224x to render the details in this sketch, along with a Lumicon Deep Sky filter. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscribers c...

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A new way to explore our Moon

Posted 14 years ago by Liz Kruesi

From the group that brought you Galaxy Zoo — the citizen science project where you help categorize galaxies — comes Moon Zoo. This project follows a similar premise: Members of the public help scientists analyze astronomical objects in ways that computers can’t.Moon Zoo uses the comprehensive catalog of images taken by the main camera of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s (LRO) over the past 11 months. (LRO launched June 18, 2009.) The LRO Camera snaps pictures in impressive detail — it sees ...

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Virginia resort opens up the skies

Posted 14 years ago by Bill Andrews

Primland’s Lodge, sitting on the summit of one of Virginia’s Blue Ridge mountains, recently built a new attraction: an impressive observatory housed within a 4-story silo. Joann Dost photoNestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, just across the North Carolina border, a resort named Primland has added one more reason to visit – not that it had any shortage of them. For years, Primland has prided itself as a premier destination for golfers and hunters, but a recently completed observatory ...

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Sketching at the telescope: Chris Schur’s Witch Head Nebula

Posted 14 years ago by David Eicher

The Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118) sketched by Chris Schur using a 12-inch f/5 reflector at 48x, February 1987. David J. Eicher libraryToday’s installment from a newly found cache of astronomical drawings (which had resided in a box in my basement for the past 20 years) features a sketch made by well-known Arizona astroimager and observer Chris Schur. It shows the faint nebula IC 2118, called the Witch Head Nebula, in Eridanus. To learn more about astronomical sketching, Astronomy magazine subscr...

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