Telescopes | Observations in Astronomy

Comparing Binoculars and Telescopes for Astronomy

Although most people use a telescope when they want to go stargazing, there is another viable alternative. Binoculars can be used to look at the stars, and there are advantages to both tools.

To start, binoculars are more lightweight and portable than telescopes. Even lightweight telescopes can be a heavy strain after a while, but it is rare to find a pair of binoculars that are heavy enough to be noticeable. This makes them a particularly good alternative for nights when you may be traveling between several different stargazing locations.

Binoculars also tend to be much more affordable than telescopes. A beginner’s pair of binoculars is very inexpensive, typically less than $100. However, finding a telescope that is worth toting around can cost several hundred dollars. If you aren’t sure whether or not you want to take up astronomy as a serious hobby, trying it out with an inexpensive set of binoculars is much more cost-effective than trying it out with a telescope.

However, there are also advantages to using a telescope for astronomy. Telescopes are known for their magnification levels. While binoculars can zoom in quite a bit, it doesn’t even compare to what a telescope can do. Binoculars that are made for astronomy use tend to have 20x zoom; however, telescopes may have more than 100x magnification.

Telescopes are also more flexible for stargazing. Although they are known for having high magnification levels, they can also be used with lower magnification lenses. It’s much easier to get a telescope with several different lenses than it is to find a pair of binoculars that has all the varying magnification levels you need for stargazing.

Clearly, there are benefits to both options for stargazing tools. Both are excellent choices; the right choice depends entirely on your preferences, budget, and long-term astronomy goals.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Telescopes Tagged With: Astronomy, Telescope

Aperture and Focal Length in a Telescope

Those who love stargazing and looking at constellations need only their eyes to find popular constellations and enjoy the view. However, if you are looking at planets and distant stars, a good telescope is a worthy investment.

Some people think that when they are buying a telescope, the only thing to worry about it the zoom. However, there a lot of factors to look at when considering the features of a telescope. Aperture is one of the main factors to take into consideration. Aperture refers to the diameter of the telescope. Therefore, when the aperture is larger, more light can be seen. When you focus, the focal length is important as well. It is the length of refracted light.

Another thing to consider when looking at aperture is the usage of the telescope. A larger aperture usually means that the telescope is heavier; if you plan on taking long hikes out to different fields and areas to look at stars, you probably don’t want something that is very heavy. Although a smaller aperture doesn’t let you see as much, you can take it many more places. Finding a good compromise between aperture size and telescope weight can help you get the views you want without breaking your back.

Since focal length and aperture are related, you should also factor focal length into your decision. If your telescope has a short focal length, it will tend to give you brighter images. That’s good for stars and smaller objects, but it’s not good for planets. Looking at planets with a short focal length leads to poor images. Longer focal lengths lead to a dimmer image that is better for viewing large celestial bodies.

When you go to pick out your telescope, remember to look at aperture and focal length over magnification. Using those criteria will help you get the best telescope for your needs.

Filed Under: Telescopes Tagged With: Focal length, Telescope

New Space Buckyballs

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Recently, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, also known as the JPL, said it has been able to use NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope to discover a large amount of buckyballs in space. Buckyballs are clouds formed when dying stars release, or shed, material. Buckyballs shaped like soccer balls and have a molecular structure of 60 carbon atoms linked together. The name comes from architect Buckminster Fuller, whose designs include geodesic domes. Some researchers call Buckyballs by the more scientific-sounding name fullerences.

Researchers discovered buckyballs in 1985, but it took until July 2009 to confirm the existence of buckyballs using the advanced astronomical tool Spitzer. When scientists came across the first group, they were unable to determine whether the buckyballs would be rare or more common, as more research comes in from the latest batch of NASA space telescopes.

This last group of buckyballs is floating between three stars, similar to the sun, that are dying. The planetary nebulae is in the Milky Way galaxy. The Spitzer also detected a batch of buckyballs near a fourth dying star in the Small Magellanic Cloud, which is a nearby galaxy. Researchers called the amount staggering. To be a quantitative measurement to that, JPL reported the mass to be equal to about 15 of Earth’s moons.

Based on these findings, researchers, like Letizia Stanghellini with Tucson’s National Optical Astronomy Observatory, are leaning toward the idea that buckyballs will be more common than originally expected. As Spitzer continues to reveal more collections of buckyballs, researchers will begin to study them to determine more information about these molecular collection.

Some hypothesize that buckyballs may be seeds for life. This theory uses the concept that buckyballs are in pockets high in hydrogen. Even the presence of hydrogen is different from previous hypotheses. With new tools and a better understanding of buckyballs, researchers may learn more about the universe.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Observatory, Telescopes Tagged With: Buckminster Fuller, Fullerene, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Milky Way, NASA, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Small Magellanic Cloud, Spitzer Space Telescope

Earth-Like Planet Lectures Come to UC Santa Cruz

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From the moment man took an interest in the stars, people have wondered what else space might hold. Is there another planet capable of sustaining human life? With new developments in astronomical tools, NASA and other space researchers are learning more now than they ever had.

That’s why Greg Laughlin, an astrophysics and astronomy professor with UC Santa Cruz, will be hosting a free public lecture on November 17. The lecture will take place at 7 p.m. at Santa Cruz’s Rio Theater, and the topic will be “The Search for Other Earths.”

The lecture is free to the public as part of the Halliday Lecture Series, which uses donor gifts to the UCSC astronomy and astrophysics department to fund public awareness events, such as Laughlin’s lecture. The professor is a recognized expert in detecting extrasolar planets. He has degrees in physics and astronomy.

In his lecture, Laughlin will present information regarding UCSC’s research to find planet with conditions like Earth’s. Many believe these habitable planets may be as close as the nearest neighbors to the sun. Researchers are using new tools, such as NASA’s Kepler space telescope and the Automated Planet Finder Telescope to learn more about these Earth-like planets. These tools are producing more data than researchers have been able to collect in a decade-long period.

Laughlin’s own research projects include studying orbital dynamics, modeling hydrodynamics and atmospheres, observing the search for plants using the newer tools, and using the latest photometric transit techniques.

In addition to teaching, Laughlin maintains a Systemic blog, where he updates the public on the latest developments in astronomy and astrophysics. Laughlin co-authored “Five Ages of the Universe: Inside the Physics of Eternity,” which is a book investigating the long-term fate of the universe, the galaxy, the Earth, and the solar system.

Those who can’t attend this lecture can check the Halliday schedule for the next free lecture.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Observatory, Telescopes Tagged With: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Earth, Greg Laughlin, Kepler Mission, NASA, University of California Santa Cruz, W. M. Keck Observatory

Kepler Spacecraft Proves its Use as a Discovery Machine

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According to Steve Kawaler, who works as a physics and astronomy professor at Iowa State University, NASA’s Kepler spacecraft is changing the study of stars. The main reason for this is the quality and the quantity of information the discovery machine is reporting.

The Kepler is part of the Kepler Space Mission that launched in March 2009. The spacecraft orbits the sun and reports the data back to researchers. The data comes from a variety of observation instruments, including a telescope and a photometer. The photometer measures the change in brightness for a star. The telescope connects to a 95 megapixel camera.

As the Kepler orbits, it keeps the tools trained on a specific part of the Milky Way, the Cygnus-Lyra region. Researchers working with the Kepler Asteroseismic Investigation hope to use the information sent from the spacecraft to discover new planets with a similar atmosphere to earth. These planets, if discovered, may be able to sustain life.

The project’s research team has four committee members: Ron Gilliland, Hans Kjeldsen, and Jorgen Christensen-Dalsgaard who join Kawaler. To put the scope of the project into perspective, Kawaler reports the Kepler has returned as much information in one year as other projects would take 300 years to deliver. So far, the studies have resulted in eight papers.

NASA expects the Kepler to orbit earth until at least 2013. During that time, it should record over 17,000 stars. The current data already indicates a variety of stars in the galaxy from white dwarfs to binary star systems to subdwarf B stars. The light variance detected by the Kepler helps demonstrate Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, which is another analytical tools the research team is using.

With all the information provided by the Kepler, the research teams hope to learn more about our galaxy, specifically the sun.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Telescopes, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Binary star, Earth, Iowa State University, Kepler Mission, Milky Way, NASA, Space, Star

Binoculars for astronomy

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Astronomy is something that people like to do once in a while or all the while. When you see stars, not when you bump into something, but when you look up, you need a pair of good binoculars to support your view.

Binoculars that are only dedicated to be used for astronomical purposes are used. Whether you are serious about star-gazing or planet gazing as a career, or want to do it only for recreation, then good binoculars will help.
There are plenty of binoculars to choose. So it becomes kind of hard to choose between the best and latest. You should understand how binoculars work, and which ones are best suited for astronomy. It helps to initially understand the workings of a binocular before even venturing out to buy one.

Binoculars have a simple concept: A pair of telescopic lens that have the power to see far-away places. At the far end, there is a large lens which is called the objective lens. The main seeing lens are called ocular lens. A prism is attached to the binocular. The prism reflects light, and is triangular in structure. By getting the light path to bend, it makes sure that the binocular does not have to be as long as the telescope. Apart from that it gives the images a steady appearance, with the right dimensions. Different prisms have different light bending mechanisms. It all depends on the type of astronomical observation being done.

The ratio of the lens size is also important. The objective lens size will have a magnifying ratio. The size of the objective lens is proportional to the magnifying power of the binocular. In astronomy, different sizes of lens are used. And different binoculars are used. It all boils down to what is needed for your interests in astronomy. Like any other field, even astronomy is a learning process. Gradually you will also learn to understand things that are required for astronomy.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Telescopes Tagged With: Amateur, Amateur astronomy, Andromeda Galaxy, Astronomy, Binoculars, Business, Earth, Learning

New Galaxy May be the Oldest Creation

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A picture taken by the Hubble Space Telescope may hold evidence of the oldest thing in existence, a galaxy. The picture captures what appears to be a blurry light, and European astronomers believe this is a galaxy. Based on their calculations, this system of stars would date back 13.1 billion years. It also appears to be the farthest galaxy discovered to date.

Matthew Lehnert, an astronomer with the Paris Observatory, is the author of a study that analyzes this newly discovered galaxy. According to research, the star system probably is a shadow of its earlier existence, with much of it incorporated into larger neighbors. For those who have trouble grasping what this means for the system, astronomy professor Richard Ellis offers an analogy. He says the studying the system is like looking at a young child from an adult lifespan.

Ellis, who works with the California Institute of Technology, said the study appears to have valid research; however, other studies have made similar claims about the distance and age and failed to live up to expectations upon further research. Some experts are already questioning the finding for this particular study.

To determine the age of the galaxy, the team of astronomers working on the study spent 16 hours viewing light signatures through a telescope located in Chile. They also analyzed cooling hydrogen gas. From these observations, the team calculated the date.

One thing to keep in mind is astronomers use the Big Bang theory to indicate the beginning of time. Therefore, these calculations estimate the age from the Big Bang. Astronomers will continue to study the unnamed galaxy, currently referred to as the high red-shift blob, to try to confirm the European team’s findings.

If the findings hold up, it could help astronomers put a date to our galaxy, assuming the Milky Way appeared shortly after the high red-shift blob formed.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Telescopes, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Astronomer, Big Bang, California Institute of Technology, Chile, Hubble Space Telescope, Milky Way, Paris Observatory, Richard Ellis

Amateur Astronomy

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Has it been a life-long dream of yours to make some sort of contribution to science, but you’re stuck with only a journalism or business degree? Well, your dreams have hopes of coming to fruition. Astronomy offers amateurs the opportunity to make an impact in a variety of ways. This science has actually been an amateur pursuit for most of its history. Only in the last century or so has funding created a distinction between amateur and professional astronomers.

Despite astronomy being a science that studies objects that are light years away from the earth’s surface, it is relatively easy for a person to participate. Some astronomy work can be done with just a set of human eyes. With most undertakings, a pair of binoculars or an optical telescope is all that’s needed to examine the sky. High-tech telescopes are becoming more and more accessible to nonprofessionals, though they are often expensive. In many cases the most simple equipment is sufficient, and is sometimes preferred. It is not unusual for amateurs to build their own telescopes. In fact, many put all of their efforts in this facet of astronomy.

Also not necessary is prior training or a college degree. Many astronomers are beginners or self-taught. The Internet makes getting started even easier, with many websites devoted to recreational astronomy.

Perhaps the best part of having astronomy as a hobby is the freedom of choosing what to study. Most amateurs focus on planets, stars, comets, moons, meteor showers or the moon. Some choose to study the sky during the light of day, looking at eclipses and sunspots. A common foray for those with the means to get their hands on specialized cameras is astrophotography. This is typically a less scientific venture, the aim instead being to capture, and often share, the beauty of the sky.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Telescopes Tagged With: Amateur, Amateur astronomy, Astronomy, Astrophotography

Amateur Telescope Building

Despite a lack of academic training in the science, Amateur astronomers Russel Porter and John Dobson have made major contributions to astronomy through telescope building.

Porter was one of the first amateur telescope makers. Armed with his experience in engineering and architecture, Porter started a telescope building class in Springfield, Vermont in 1923. Porter and his 15 adult students eventually formed a club, the Springfield Telescope Makers. The group built a now-famous clubhouse they called Stellafane.

Albert Ingalls, the editor of Scientific American, wrote columns about Porter and the Springfield Telescope Makers. Porter collaborated with Ingalls on many more articles about telescope making. Much of their work made up the different volumes of “Amateur Telescope Making.” This collection of books has been referred to as “the bible of telescope making.”

In 1928, Porter moved to Pasadena, California to help famed astronomer George Ellery Hale create what was, at the time, the largest telescope on earth. The 200-inch Hale telescope was completed in 1948. Porter’s detailed drawings were a critical contribution in the telescope’s design.

Dobson’s made less sophisticated telescopes out of materials like PVC, plywood, Formica, cardboard and carpet. Though simple, these telescopes are suitable for the needs of most amateur astronomers. On account of his role in building and promoting them, these telescopes are called Dobsonian telescopes.

Through the use of the Dobsonian telescopes, Dobson co-founded the San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers in 1967. This group set up their telescopes on the sidewalks and taught anyone interested about things like galaxies, stars, planets and the moon. The sidewalk astronomy movement has since spread throughout the world. Due to the creation of inexpensive telescope making techniques and his role in the advent of sidewalk astronomy, Dobson is considered one of the foremost promoters of observational astronomy.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Telescopes Tagged With: Amateur astronomy, Amateur telescope making, Astronomy, John Dobson

The Vital Difference: Astronomy and Astrology

It’s an easy assumption. You chart the sky, noting constellations and their subtle changes, following miles too far to ever reach. You watch the patterns formed in solar shimmers. You find comfort in the bright burns of nebulae. And then… you wonder how they will influence your tomorrow.

The notions of Astronomy and Astrology have been irrevocably tangled since the beginning of civilization itself. Science and religion were once considered the same. All origins were explained through the stars and all answers were formed through their movements. Destiny was both logical and guessed.

But time has offered a distinction. The study of the galaxy is no longer laced human. The philosophies have been separated, divided by their ideals, and are no longer forced to blur together. There remain many still, however, who mistake Astronomy and Astrology. They think them to be interchangeable names. They’re not. And their differences must be known.

Astronomy: a natural science that examines the universe, Astronomy is the study of celestial elements. It relies on mathematical principles to determine both the creation of galaxies and their ultimate fate. It is no longer a religiously guided experience. It is instead a meet of chemistry and astrophysics. It compares light, sound and ultraviolet wavelengths and determines their effects on Earth. It is an established process that can be proven.

Astrology: a belief without defined origin, Astrology decrees that all elements of humanity are shaped by the stars. Predictions of an individual’s personality and future can be made by understanding the sky. Astrological planets (such as the Sun, Moon and Venus) are linked to life and death. Understanding the location of such planets during a person’s birth will explain who they are and what they may accomplish. While widely referenced, this process is still not considered a science. It lacks the necessary analysis.

And therein lies the true difference between these two: Astronomy can be verified while Astrology may only be presumed. While both have their supporters, only one has the reliability of fact.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Satellites, Telescopes Tagged With: Astrology, Astronomy, Earth, Sun