Citizen astronomers unite

Michael, Minneapolis, MN — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:24:49 GMT

Don't forget The 365 Days of Astronomy! http://365DaysOfAstronomy.org/

Citizen astronomers unite

Alan Boyle — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:33:09 GMT

Good point, Michael: Also, there's Cosmic Diary and Portal to the Universe:

http://www.cosmicdiary.org/
http://www.portaltotheuniverse.org/

There's also an initiative for teachers that was announced during the meeting, known as the Galileo Teacher Training Initiative:

http://www.astronomy2009.org/globalprojects/cornerstones/galileoteachertraning/

Citizen astronomers unite

Mark Wakely — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:24:30 GMT

Connie Walker, an astronomer from the U.S. National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, will present a report Wednesday at the meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Pasadena showing that one-fifth of the world's population can no longer see the Milky Way due to light pollution. One of the Cornerstone Projects of IYA 2009 is Dark Skies Awareness, a global effort to address this growing problem:

http://www.astronomy2009.org/globalprojects/cornerstones/darkskiesawareness/

The International Dark-Sky Association has joined forces with IYA 2009 to offer solutions to light pollution:

http://www.darksky.org/

You don't have to join IDA to learn more about combating light pollution on your local or regional level, but members receive additional news and benefits, and a contribution helps IDA fight light pollution so astronomers everywhere (both professional and amateur) can have clear views of the wonders of the night sky:

http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=55055&orgId=idsa

Citizen astronomers unite

Andy, Princeton, NJ — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:30:50 GMT

If you are looking to inspire young astronomers, I highly recommend The Telescope Travelers series by Peter A. Oppenheim. The books follow a brother and sister who find a mysterious telescope that can transport them to the object they are viewing. They have great adventures and learn about astronomy at the same time. The books make a good teaching tool too.

Citizen astronomers unite

Jay Scheuerle, Philadelphia, PA — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:45:42 GMT

Get it into the hands of the people!

Here are plans for a great, easy to make, 4.5" scope that can cost under $100! It will show WAY more than the kit above.

http://home.comcast.net/~jayscheuerle/PortaBowl.pdf

Citizen astronomers unite

Eric, Salinas, CA — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:59:13 GMT

Nice article Alan! It really is nice to see astronomy becoming more Mainstream. I remember taking Astronomy in college back in the late 70's and wow how it has changed since then. I like that astronomy info is much more easily available so that I can relearn the subject without having to go back to college.

That's great idea of making a cheap telescope, too bad we can't manufacture them here when we need jobs so badly. Still it's good that astronomy is being brought to the masses.

I'm so anticipating the first new photos from a refurbished Hubble Telescope. The Atlantis team did a bang up job on fixing Hubble up.

Citizen astronomers unite

Wade Whitlock, Aberdeen, MD — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:30:33 GMT

I had a 4.5 in Newtonian with clock driven equitorial once upon a time. I fondly remember some damn cold nights. Isn't it a wonder how time eases discomfort! I am awaiting my Galileoscope with some ill-concealed eagerness.

The greatest problem I have now is light pollution with car headlights, street lights and a major store a 1/4 mile away. If we could get some clear nights (seems as though we get clouds for every astro-event) I can go to a nearby State Park (10 miles) for some decent darkness.

Ah, the sacrifices we make for science! Keep it Cosmic!

Citizen astronomers unite

Thomas Ashby — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:35:52 GMT

Those are funny drawings Galileo made. I have never seen the lit portion of the moon shown like that and he certainly didn't observe the moon like that.

Citizen astronomers unite

Dave F. - Peotone, IL — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:48:16 GMT

I'd certainly recommend that anyone even remotely interested in astronomy consider Jay Scheuerle's Portabowl scope. Of course, you'll need to know your way around the sky in order to use either that or the Galileoscope - find your way around the night sky by checking these out: http://www.eyesonthesky.com/columns/firstpage.html

Citizen astronomers unite

Tim Rommes, Washington, UT — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:57:02 GMT

They are odd. The one on the right looks vertically inverted. Is that a moon orbiting the moon?

Citizen astronomers unite

Tim Rommes, Washington, UT — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:03:55 GMT

And the left is a mirror of the right. Maybe with different lighting?

Citizen astronomers unite

Dodger Dean — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:45:13 GMT

Has anybody actually received a Galileoscope?

Citizen astronomers unite

sulumits retsambew — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:00:49 GMT

nice posting thank for sharing, galileo is my inspiration