Saturday, 9 October 2010

The Mag-7 Star Atlas Project


Astronomy observation help

What is it?

This project is my attempt to produce a free, downloadable set of high-quality star charts -- the Mag-7 Star Atlas -- capable of being printed at reasonable resolutions on the average home printer.
The Mag-7 Star Atlas plots stars down to Magnitude 7.25, with double / multiple stars indicated by a thin horizontal bar. Plotted DSO's (Deep Sky Objects) include all objects on the Messier list, the RASC's finest NGC list, and the Herschell 400 list --- more than 550 DSO's in total.
Now that this project is also being hosted by the kind folks at CloudyNights, availability shouldn't be an issue and it will be more convenient and reliable to make reference to the charts in forum posts (no need to worry about an external site being down when linking to or referring to a chart). It will also relieve some of the bandwith load on my website, for which I am certainly grateful.
I hope beginner's and experienced observers alike might find some use in these charts -- as a first atlas, as a bridge atlas between planishere and a deeper atlas, as a binocular atlas, as printable charts for outlining observing plans and/or recording small field notes, or to make wallpaper for your outhouse. At the very least, when you take family or friends on an observing outing it is easy (and affordable) to ensure everyone has an atlas of their own to refer to. The free licencing (see below) makes these charts an open resource for teachers and astronomy outreach programs. But, you don't have to be an association -- go ahead and print one off for your neighbor, and the kid down the street, and ...

But Free? Really?

Yes. And not just free of charge -- you have other freedoms as well. This work is licenced under a Creative Commons License. Basically you are free to download, use, and or distribute this work for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution. You can create and distribute derived works if they follow the same licence. 

Posted by at

Night-Sky Objects for Southern Observers

Astronomy observation help
Night-Sky Objects for Southern Observers is a collection of maps, objects and data that highlight each constellation. Most of the well known visual objects for southern observers have been included. In particular, maps have been designed to be the "right way up" for observers facing north at southern latitudes. The limit of observation to the north is declination +55 degrees.
Each map and its object data has been formatted to print on an A4 page with a minimum of colour printing. All maps have a white background.
To encourage education and interest in astronomy, the document may be freely reproduced but without modification.
Posted by at

Where is M13? — A Three Dimensional Galactic Atlas!

Astronomy observation help
Hier is `n oulike stukiie sagteware om te kyk waar die Messier-voorwerpe in ons galaksie geleë is. En dit is gratis (No cosmic strings attached!) - Hannes Pieterse, ASSABFN.

 We all have our favorite deep sky objects that we've looked at hundreds and hundreds of times. We know where to find them in the night sky, but most of us have little idea where they lie in the three-dimensional space around our Galaxy. Isn't that just a bit strange?

Where is M13? is a unique application that helps you visualize the locations and physical properties of deep sky objects in and around the Galaxy.

At home, Where is M13? serves as a reference you will frequently turn to when you read about an object and become curious where it is with respect to our galaxy. In the field, the program will enhance your observing experience by allowing you to get an intuitive sense of the physical location, size, luminosity, and distance of the object you are viewing. You will find Where is M13? a great educational and outreach tool as well. 

Posted by at

Saturday, 2 October 2010

Karoo National Starparty 2011 is om die draai.




 2011 Karoo National Starparty
Datum: Vrydag, 29 April - Maandag, 2 Mei 2011
Posted by at

Nuusbriewe: Canopus en Cape Observer - Oktober 2010

Besoek die Astronomical Society of Southern Africa - Johannesburg Centre se webblad  en laai die jongste tydskrif af. (Links onder op die spyskaart.


 


Astronomical Society of Southern Africa
- Cape Centre


Posted by at

Friday, 1 October 2010

Waarnemingshulp vir Oktober 2010

Astronomy observation help
 October 2010
Pdf (Thanx Auke)


Ander hulp



Pdf -formaat (Dankie Auke)

Posted by at

'Goldilocks planet just right for life'

An artist's impression of Gliese 581g and its parent star
Source: BBC News By Katia Moskvitch Science reporter, BBC News

Astronomers have detected an Earth-like exoplanet that may have just the right kind of conditions to support life.
Gliese 581g lies some 20 light-years away in its star's "Goldilocks zone" - a region surface temperatures would allow the presence of liquid water.

Scientists say that the newly found world could also potentially have an atmosphere.

Their findings, made with the Keck telescope in Hawaii, appear in the Astrophysical Journal.

The researchers, from the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) and the Carnegie Institution of Washington, have been studying the movement of the planet's parent star, a red dwarf called Gliese 581, for 11 years.

Their observations have revealed a number of exoplanets spinning around the star.
Posted by at

A Fun and Easy Way To Learn More About Astronomy

Astronomy observation help

A Fun and Easy Way To Learn More About Astronomy

If you want to learn more about astronomy, telescopes, and the night sky, then you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you’re a total beginner or you’ve been a stargazer for some time, this website will help build your enjoyment and appreciation of the constellations and night sky in the northern and southern hemispheres.  Even if you have just a few minutes a week.  Even if you haven’t taken a science course since high school.

You’ll find no long, dense pages filled with facts and equations here.  Just short, easy-to-readthe most beautiful sights in nature. bits of insights and advice– delivered directly to you by email– to help you find your way around the stars and constellations, select and use a telescope or pair of binoculars, and understand a little of the science behind some

Posted by at

Discovery's Last Ride

By Susan Poulton
for Breaking Orbit
Space Shuttle Discovery rolled out to the launch pad for the final time tonight, with first motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) coming 30 minutes early at 7:23pm ET, beneath a stunning sunset. Hundreds of employees gathered to watch the event and cheer on Discovery as they watched the last of two launches get underway. Loud roars and applause could be heard as the shuttle passed the grandstands and cars poured into the area as everyone wanted to catch a glimpse.  

Posted by at

Saturn Aurora


Image courtesy NASA/JPL/University of Leicester/University of Arizona

Hundreds of miles tall, curtains of aurorae undulate above Saturn's south polar clouds in a
composite of near-infrared images released Friday by NASA's Cassini orbiter. (See pictures of earthly auroras generated by a September solar storm.)
In this false-color picture, aurorae are bright green, sunlight reflected off Saturn's rings and high-altitude haze are blue, and heat emissions from the planet's interior glow deep red. Get the full story on National Geographic's Breaking Orbit blog >>
Posted by at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)