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Observing
Astrophotography
Telescopes
Dark Skies
Star Parties
Solar System
Light Pollution
 
 
Summer Objects
Try to find these summer objects with your telescope.
  M57 - Ring Nebula
    Like a smoke ring in the heavens. It can be found in the parallelogram of Lyra. It is one of the brightest nebulas and can be seen in a small telescope.
  M13 - Globular Cluster
    Very Bright cluster in Hercules. One of the brightest.
  M92 - Globular Cluster
    Another bright cluster in Hercules
  HIP 95947 - Albireo
    A beautiful double star of blue and gold at the nose of the swan Cygnus
  NGC 6826- Blinking Panetary Nebua
    Although this is a tougher one to find I really love this one. If you look directly at it it appears as a star. If you look slightly to the side (averted vision) it turns to a fuzzy ball. It "blinks because your eye moves.
 
 
 
 
If you are looking for a telescope be sure to check out the following teh telescop site first.
The Telescope Site
 
 
Winter Objects
Try to find these objects with your telescope.
  M45 - Pleades (Seven Sisters)
    In the east near Perseus and Taurus
  M31 - Andromeda Galaxy
    Directly over head near the great square of the constellation Andromeda
  NGC-869 - Perseus Double Cluster
    Between Perseus and Cassiopeia
  M42 - Orion Nebula
    You need to say up late in December to see this. Orion come up around 8:30PM and gets high enough for viewing aroung 11PM



Telescopes
If you are considering purchasing a telescope and are not sure what type to get take a look at our intro to telescopes section.

Astronomy Books
There are a number of books you can look at weather you ar just starting out os are an avid armature astronomer.
 
Star Parties
Our Star Party Calendar is the most comprehensive and up to date list of star partieson the web.
 
Dark Skies
Lookig for a dark sky location? Check out out dark skies locator pages.
 
Light Pollution
Find out about what light pollution is and what you can do about it.

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Welcome To Astro-Observer.com
This site is dedicated to the hobby of astronomical observation. There is information here for the beginning to the advanced observer. The site covers many topics including choosing a telescope, finding objects in the night sky, and fascinating facts about the planets and other objects in the universe.
 
NASA - Orions First Test Flight

Orion is NASA’s new spacecraft, built to take humans farther into space than they’ve ever gone before. It will carry the crew to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew and provide a safe return to Earth. Having completed its first successful flight test in December 2014, Orion's next milestone will be a flight beyond the orbit of the moon.

NASA is using new technology and lessons learned from earlier missions to build the new spacecraft. Orion will carry up to six astronauts compared with Apollo's three, and a new version of the Apollo heat shield will keep the astronauts safe as the crew module re-enters Earth's atmosphere when it returns from deep space.

The human Journey to Mars begins some 250 miles overhead, as astronauts aboard the International Space Station are working off the Earth for the Earth. The space station's microgravity environment makes research possible that can't be achieved on Earth, leading to breakthroughs in understanding Earth, space and physical and biological sciences, including how future crews can thrive on longer missions, including round-trip journeys to an asteroid and Mars.

The space station also is a test bed for exploration technologies like autonomous refueling of spacecraft, advanced life support systems and human/robotic interfaces. A portion of the space station has been designated a national laboratory, and NASA is committed to using this unique resource for wide-ranging scientific research. A new generation of U.S. commercial spacecraft and rockets are supplying cargo to the space station and will soon launch astronauts once again from U.S. soil.

 
Astronomers make biggest map of dark matter in universe

International astronomers said Monday they have created the largest map of dark matter ever observed in the universe, using data from potent telescopes that scanned 10 million galaxies.

The mysterious substance is believed to make up about a quarter of the universe, but its nature is a puzzle because it can be detected only indirectly through the gravitational pull it exerts on visible matter.

To make the new map, astronomers studied how light emitted from galaxies is distorted as it passes by big clumps of dark matter in its travel toward Earth.

 
July 28, 29 - Southern Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower

The Delta Aquarids can produce about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower usually peaks on July 28 & 29, but some meteors can also be seen from July 18 - August 18. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Aquarius. This year the thin, crescent moon will be hanging around for the show, but it shouldn’t cause too many problems. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight from a dark location. more...

 
Persied Meteor Shower August 17-24

The Perseid meteor shower takes place in mid August. While the Perseids usually peak somewhere between August 17-24 every year, shooting stars can often be seen a week or two before and after the peak date. The peak activity will be on August 13 2011. Known as the most brilliant of annual meteor showers, the Perseids, at its peak, can emit anywhere from 50 to 150 shooting stars an hour. More...

 

Find a Star Party near you.
sTAR pARTY Star parties are astronomy events that consist of dozens to hundreds of people camping out with telescopes gazing at the heavens. They usually occur on weekends near a new moon each month. We have compiled a list of star parties around the world. We believe it to be the most comprehensive list of star parties on the internet.

What is Light Pollution?
Click on the image to see a light pollution map of the united states.

To find out more about light pollution and what you can do to help decrease light pollution in your area click here.

USA Light Pollution Map


Leonid Meteor Shower November 17

The Leonid meteor shower takes place in mid November. While the Leonids usually peak somewhere between August 17 - 18 every year, shooting stars can often be seen a week or two before and after the peak date. Known as the most brilliant of annual meteor showers, the Leonids, at its peak, can emit anywhere from 50 to 150 shooting stars an hour. More...



Turn Off the Lights in 2011

This year you can be green and dark at the same time by turning out, or at least down, the lights in your area. Bright or misdirected lights in your yard not only waste energy but they cause a type pollution called light pollution.

One fifth of the world's population cannot see the Milky Way because street lamps and building lights are too bright. So scientists are mounting a new campaign, called Dark Skies Awareness.


Getting Started (for budding astronomers)
Telescopes
If you are considering purchasing a telescope and are not sure what type to get take a look at our intro to telescopes section.

Observing Basics
If you are considering a night out observing, here are some tips that can help make sure you night goes well.

Star Parties
Here is a list of star parties. These events consist of lectures, demonstrations, equipment swaps, and plenty of observing.


Site Map Observing Telescopes Books Dark Skies Star Parties Favorite Objects