The 'New' SKY & SPACE Magazine

[AstroTasmania]

Just to let you know that the next issue of Australia's premier astronomy magazine will be in the shops later next week.

Guess who's pic will be on the front cover? and much more...................

A great read for the Xmas break.

Seasons Greetings to All.

Shevill

45New issue of SKY&SPACE out now.

The latest issue of the ‘New’ SKY & SPACE Magazine is in the news-stands Wednesday December 13 and is jam packed full of interesting articles for the space enthusiast.

Features include an in depth look at our fantastic Milky Way galaxy with some astounding pictures by Shevill Mathers, an article on the Darby Falls Observatory near Cowra, How to shoot top Moon pics, more great eclipse info with Duncan Steel and the possibility of Woomera operating again soon … plus much, much more.

Published Bi-Monthly, SKY&SPACE has been the premier magazine for southern observers since 1988. www.skyandspace.com.au

[Radar]

Looking forward to it mate. :thumbsupmate:

[CanisMajorTom]

Looking forward to it guys. Nice shot Shev.:thumbsupmate:

[Radar]

Shev, was that image done on fast film on a fixed tripod? Or am I way off?

[AstroTasmania]

Well, just to keep you in suspense a bit longer you will have to get the magazine in a few days time. The answer might surprise you! :pipethinker:

Seasons Greetings & Clear skies please, Santa!

[Radar]

lol, looking forward to it mate :thumbsupmate:

[CanisMajorTom]

Shevill, are you noticing the smoke from Vic yet? Also I'm hearing that there are a few bushfires around Tazzy at the moment. Nothing like thick smog or smoke to ruin the fun of a good night of star gazing (or astrophotography).

http://spiritsdancing.typepad.com/spirits_dancing/2006/12/satellite_image.html

[Astro Dave]

Shevill

You might like this little gem:

I was speaking on ABC 774 Melbourne with Lindy Burns yesterday and we took some listener questions.

One bloke rang up and said he took a close-up shot of the sun yesterday through the heavy smoke haze from the fires and when he flashed the image up on the screen he said, "there was a big spot on the Sun."

He was concerned, puzzled and thought there was something wrong with his camera.

WOW - I told him the local newspaper would love the pic and let him know he captured the big daddy sunspot there at present.

Thought you'd get a chuckle out of that.

(By the way guys, Shevill uses a pinhole camera?)

[Radar]

It was probably a piece of dirt on the lense from the fires. :duh:

[Radar]

(By the way guys, Shevill uses a pinhole camera?)

lol, :nana:

I had a sneaking suspicion his shot was done on a fixed tripod with fast film.

Shev is the ISO 1600 on DSLR or some type of film? I'm leaning towards a DSLR.

All great shots mate. :thumbsupmate:

[Robert TG]

I would like to thanks to Sky and Space Magazine for their article which contained a link to this site.

[joe_smith]

:eartoear: thats the mag that I found out about this site :ta_clap5:

[AstroTasmania]

Yes, there is a large spot on the sun, just about to disappear round the limb.

This region has been responsible for some CME's and resulting some very good auroral activity in the northern hemisphere.

Too much smoke has covered skies over Tasmania since all our bushfires started plus the smoke from the Victorian fires. Went into my observatory yesterday and everything is covered in fine ash from the fires.

Attached image was a quick shot through the haze with a stationary scope Sky Watcher 102 (4") f/5 achromat fitted with a Herschel Solar Wedge. EP projection using a 10mm ep and a Ricoh Caplio GX8 digital point & shoot. Filter is a Baader Continuum green. No solar filters used in front of scope. 15-12-2006 12:21 local time AEST.

[Radar]

I would like to thanks to Sky and Space Magazine for their article which contained a link to this site.


:eartoear: thats the mag that I found out about this site :ta_clap5:

100% Australian. Over a decade in the business. They must be doing something right. :thumbsupmate:

[Astro Dave]

On behalf of the SKY&SPACE staff I'd like to thank Ray and all of you for your kind words and faith in our future.

Just keep in mind we're doin; it for you .. the little Aussie guys with a scope and need for info about astronomy. We'll continue to back you all the way 'cause we're battlers too.

We KNOW the mag's been late in the past and I'd hate to see this forum degenerate in to another S&S bashing contest. That helps no-one, especially when the complainants don't know the full details.

Unfortunately, its just part of what we had to go through to rebuild the magazine and ensure its future.

Stay cool.

[Radar]

Thanks Dave.

I hope everyone here has a great Christmas and New Years Eve. :thumbsupmate: :thumbsupmate: :thumbsupmate:

[CanisMajorTom]

I think TLP's and their cause which are discussed in this thread would be a great article.

http://www.myastrospace.com/forums/showthread.php?p=593#post593

:pipethinker:

[Radar]

I have discussed this phenomena with many people. There are quite a few clever theories out there.

I would also like to see the possible causes of this subject covered. :pipethinker:

[AstroTasmania]

Back in my early days with the BAA in London, I was a member of the Lunar Section, headed by Patrick Moore, and TLP's were a hot topic, we all had red & green blink units for our telescopes and it was a lot of fun, however, I never did observe any transient event. I believe the topic is still alive and there is a group in the USA who still make regular observations, I will try and find their web address.

[orion]

There is something that I haven't seen in the mags for a while, that is a section on "telescope making".
Has telescope making become out dated?

I remember seeing an article in one of the astronomy magazines. I can't remember which one it was but it inspired me never the less and I have been hooked on telescope making ever since.

It would be nice to see articles on this subject again.:yesplease:

[Radar]

There is something that I haven't seen in the mags for a while, that is a section on "telescope making".
Has telescope making become out dated?


This subject would be worth looking at. I wouldn't have a clue on how to make a telescope or where to start, but I would find it interesting to learn.

[AstroTasmania]

I suspect that the cost of making a telescope these days probably costs more than the ready made thing. Could you make an 8'' Newtonian with a Dob mount for less than a bought one and be as good, including two eyepieces that are far superior to what was available in the 60's.

I think this is the reason people don't make scopes as a routine anymore, other than the keen ones who want to make top optics or special designs.

Just my take on things.

Regards

[orion]

I could not put a price on the pleasure one gets when he looks through a device made by his own hands and sees some of the wonders that the universe has to offer, then stands back and says....Well done!

[AstroTasmania]

I agree, I have been building scopes and making equipment since day one, a long time back, I enjoy it and the satisfaction of seeing a result from one's own efforts.

[Radar]

I think it would make for an interesting read Shev. There is very little info on this subject from what I have seen (or not seen). Building my own telescope one day would be great, but I wouldn't have a clue on how or where to start.

[AstroTasmania]

Hello Radar

Building telescopes is something I know a little about, having built a few over the years, the 16" I am working on now is a far cry from my early 5" & 6" reflectors I started with. I still have the 12" f6.7 optics I made in 1966. It IS a lot of fun and the knowledge gained is just incredible. Actually making something teaches you so much - more than you can ever just read about. We will take your request on board.

Clear skies...

[scorpius]

I think it would make for an interesting read Shev. There is very little info on this subject from what I have seen (or not seen). Building my own telescope one day would be great, but I wouldn't have a clue on how or where to start.

I did a lot of research on the subject and built an 8" dob just 3 months after becoming interested in astronomy last year Prior to that I couldn't tell one end from the other http://members.optusnet.com.au/~mar.dav/dls006.html for pictures. I still have all the original photos somewhere on this PC. I could knock up a slide show with details. The most important thing is do not use silastic type glues to hold mirrors in place (A common ATM practice in the US) but make small retaining clips and of course knowing the formula for the mirror you are using to get the correct focal length from the primary to the EP.

Today's thought; " Man who look down see nothing, he who looks up sees everything"