Astronomy

This document summarizes the result of my amateur astronomical research since 2004, including the software I have developed, my own photos of the sky at night and my book titled: Light Astronomy.

Astronomy Book (Ligth Astronomy)

[Next section: Astro spreadsheet]

Cover of the Book: Deep Sky Astronomy.

As a result of my experience as amateur sky watcher using light astronomy equipment, I have written a small astronomy book dedicated to other enthusiasts, describing the results of my observations as well as advice about equipment and observation techniques. The book is called Light Astronomy with Binoculars and Amateur Telescopes (ISBN: 978-84-690-8796-1).

The document includes an exhaustive catalog of astronomical objects that may be really being observed with binoculars and small telescopes in the handful of constellations I have already included in my observations (up to the eleventh magnitude). My goal is to continue with the observation process in order to include all the constellations of the northern hemisphere in future editions of this guide.

The electronic version of the book has been designed to be used in mobile devices able to read PDF documents, such as any kind of PDAs and some mobile phones. I suggest to configure your PDF reader to use reader using a red background in order to preserve your dark night vision.

Each astronomic object contained in the book includes a complete reference to its celestial coordinates (Right Ascension and Declination) in such a way that you can use this document in combination with my Astro Spreadsheet to obtain the object's hour angle (using telescopes) or its elevation and azimuth (using binoculars).

Next table describes the list of constellations included in the book:

List of constellations included in the book
Code Name English Name
CMa Canis Major Larger Dog
CMi Canis Minor Little Dog
Com Comae Berenices Berenice's Hair
Cyg Cygnus The Swan
Mon Monoceros The Unicorn
Gru Grus The Crane
Ori Orion Orion
Sex Sextans Sextan
Sge Sagitta Arrow
UMa Ursa Major Great Bear
UMi Ursa Minor Little Bear
Vul Vulpecula The Fox

How to get your free copy of the Book

The electronic version of the book is is available for free download from this site. You may also order the print version from Lulu at a production cost.

Astro Spreadsheet

[Next section: Java Star Chart]

Excel Astronomy Observation Sheets running in my Pocket PC

I have programmed an spreadsheet to keep account of my astronomic observations in an easy way when I use my Pocket PC. Programmed in Microsoft Excel, the sheet includes tons of updated astronomic data about the deep sky objects and stars that I'm currently observing. Data includes a full reference to the BSC (Bright Star Catalog) and SAO (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory) catalogs. Of course, you may add your own objects as well.

Providing the Universal Time of the observation session along with your exact location, the sheet calculates the hour angle, elevation and azimuth for any object, so you can use this information to locate the object using your binoculars and telescope.

The sheet also include functions to calculate the magnification and field of view (FOV) for different combinations of telescope and eyepieces, as well as other very useful mathematical functions (such as for example, the dew point during your observation session).

You may download the Astro Spreadsheet for free:

Java Star Chart

[Next section: Equipment]

Java Planisphere.

Based on the BSC (Bright Star Catalogue) I developed this Java application to show how to build a simple planisphere.

The application displays a simulation of the movement of the stars at different speeds, including several constellations, their names and boundaries. It is also possible to reduce or to increase the number of stars displayed (selecting different magnitude levels) and to turn the planisphere to the right or to the left (depending on the location of the observing site).

This prototype displays the stars owned by a handful of constellations only (the bunch commend in my Deep Sky Astronomy Book) but new objects can be easily included in its configuration text files (BSCatalog.txt for the stars and ConstellationsCatalog.txt for the constellations).

Java's source code is included in this distribution package that you can download for free! Please, feel yourself free to improve it!

If you want to execute the application, you will need to install Sun's Java Virtual Machine in your computer or to execute it using Java Web Start. Once installed, just open the Star Map:

Photo Gallery

[Next section: Observation Sites]

The following photo albums show my first steps in astrophotography. Every picture includes detailed information about the technique and equipment used.

  • Crepuscular Rays.

    The Sky. Wide angle images of sky phenomena.

  • The Moon.

    Solar System. Planetary photos, including pictures of the Moon.

Observation Sites

[Next section: Equipment]

Map

The city where I live (Oviedo, Spain) is not a paradise for amateur astronomers, not only because its massive light pollution but also because cloudy nights are the norm in this, otherwise, beautiful European region. Even in a clear and dark night, the high level of humidity provides little chance for long observations as the dewpoint is quickly reached.

In order to fully enjoy my astronomic observations I have to travel far away from home. My favourite observations sites during the winter are located at an average of 55 Km. from Oviedo. During the Summer I prefer to bring my telescope with me to the Canary Islands where I usually enjoy good dark nights. That is why I use light and portable instruments, which are also usually cheaper than big aperture telescopes.

Equipment

My current observation instruments are:

  • Hand held Computers:
    Meade LXC 75 telescope.
    • Pocket PC HP hx2750.
    • Royaltek RBT-2210 SiRF III/LP GPS receiver.
    • Meade #494 Autostar computer control.
    • Meade #497 Autostar computer control.
    • Home made Meade #505 serial control cable.
  • Binoculars:
    • Meade 10x50 Bak-4 binoculars (Long Eyerelief 114/1000 m. = 6.5º FOV).
  • Eyepieces:
    Meade ETX70-AT telescope.
    • Skylux erecting eyepiece (1.5x magnification, Ø 1¼″).
    • Skylux 20 mm. eyepiece (Ø 1¼″).
    • Meade MA (Modified Achromatic) 4 mm, 12 mm. and 25 mm. 40º apparent FOV eyepieces (Ø 1¼″).
    • Meade 4000 Super Plössl 26 mm. 52º apparent FOV eyepiece (Ø 1¼″).
    • Meade #128 3x Telenegative Barlow lens (Ø 1¼″).
    • Meade #933 45º Erecting Prism (Ø 1¼″).
  • Telescopes:
    • Skylux telescope.
      Skylux 70/700 mm. (f10) refractor telescope on equatorial mount.
    • Meade ETX-70-AT 70/350 mm. (f5) refractor telescope on a computer controlled azimutal mount.
    • Meade LXD75 6″ 152/762 mm. (f5) reflector telescope on a computer controlled equatorial mount.
  • Cameras:
    • Philips SPC900NC Web cam for autoguiding and planetary astrophotography.
    • Sony Handycam DCR-PC350E for planetary astrophotography.
    • Canon EOS 400D for deep space astrophotography.
ZobyHost discontinuará su servicio de alojamiento web gratuito en los próximos días.
Recomendamos a los usuarios mudar sus sitios a nixiweb | Hosting Gratis -- ¿Cómo mudar mi sitio web?