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The Skies of March, 2025

Highlights: Comet Journal, Martian Landers, Meteor Showers, Planet Plotting & Vernal Equinox, March Moon Focus Constellations: Ursa Major, Draco, Ursa Minor, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Camelopardalis, Perseus, Lynx, Auriga, Taurus, Orion, Gemini, Cancer, Leo Minor, Leo, Coma Berenices, Bootes, Virgo

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A Menagerie of Mini Mods for Mega Convenience

When I am not ogling the heavens with Big Bertha, my modified 12” Dob, (S&T January 2022), I rendezvous under the bedazzled night canopy with Starling, my 6” SCT, which I use as an incidental/travel scope on a manual EQ mount. The following suggestions are intended for improvements upon those minimalist setups with an SCT on a manual EQ mount.

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Cosmic Challenge: Hickson Compact Galaxy Group 44

In 1982, astronomer Paul Hickson, professor of astronomy at the University of British Columbia , published a study of 100 compact galaxy groups scattered throughout the sky. In his paper "Systematic Properties of Compact Groups of Galaxies", Hickson defined a compact galaxy group as a small, relatively isolated collection of four or five individual systems that are set in close proximity to one another, and that differ in brightness by no more than 3 magnitudes. Further, so as to avoid including the central regions of dense galaxy clusters, Hickson stipulated an "isolation factor" requiring that there not be a non-member galaxy of similar magnitude within three radii of the group's center. Surveying the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey, Hickson created an inventory of 100 such groupings. The entries in the Hickson Compact Group, or HCG, catalog are ordered numerically according to increasing right ascension.

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Celestron AZ 102 refractor telescope review – through the eyes of a beginner

I think the Celestron AZ 102 refractor available at Costco is a starter telescope for a beginner. It is affordable, easy to set up and easy to use. It provides solid views of a range of objects at low and medium power. It can accept upgraded optical components for even better views.

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Review: Taurus T400 16" f/4.5 Ultra Light (without optics)

It seems we’re dealing with a truss telescope that could have been made much better, considering its price. However, its advantages allow me to enjoy it immensely, as they meet exactly what I wanted from a telescope of this type: to be very practical, meaning portable and easy to manage, with good mechanics that facilitate maintaining collimation.

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First Impressions: StellaMira 80mm APO doublet review

This ota will spend most of its life on my balcony, and while it does not compare to an ES165mm or 127mm triplet, it is fairly equal to past WO110mm mergrez and SW102mm doublet refractors I had (at least to my eyes). But for ease of use, fine focus, and sharpness of the well color corrected field it’s superb. In the SM80, the surrounding silky black sky (well good contrast, it is Dallas after all) make this an ideal scope for my particular needs.

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Celestron Origin Review

The Celestron Origin sure is a fun treat! I won't lie, it is one of the most exciting astronomy products I have looked at in a long time. But it is not for everyone and I will be the first to admit that. The Origin is the perfect telescope for clubs, schools and people who are interested in EAA. It is the perfect balance of portability, capability and overall performance for a decently small profile. It is nowhere near as big as my C9.25 with an EQ mount, cameras, Hyperstar, yada yada yada, but it is still the largest of the smart telescopes out there. The Origin has wonderful optical quality, really good tech and super convenient features for everyone at any skill level.

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In Search of the Stars

For many years, I have been interested in amateur astronomy. At 82 years of age, I have decided to become an active sky searcher again. For about 2 years, I have tried various imaging systems without a great deal of success. Thanks to the advances in technology and the training videos available today, I have obtained a wonderful–and very portable–imaging system and the software to process the images I capture. Now, I am once again an active imager.

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Cosmic Challenge: NGC 2371 - 2372

Gemini offers two intriguing planetary nebulae for stargazers: the well-known Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392) and the lesser known but equally fascinating NGC 2371 - 2. While the Eskimo Nebula dazzles with its bright, structured halo resembling a face framed by a parka, NGC 2371 - 2372 (traditionally abbreviated NGC 2371 - 2) presents a more subtle, ghostly charm.

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The Skies of February, 2025

Highlights: Comet Journal, Martian Landers, Meteor Showers, Planet Plotting, February Moon Focus Constellations: Ursa Major, Draco, Ursa Minor, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Camelopardalis, Lynx, Leo Minor, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Orion, Taurus, Auriga, Perseus, Andromeda, Triangulum, Aries, Pisces

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