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Observations
This page shows a beginner's attempts to log and record his first steps in astronomy.
The purchase of of pair of Canon binoculars and vacations under the warmer
skies of Arizona is what really led to purchase of my first Meade telescope.
What attracted me to this binocular was the 'Image Stabilization' with the light weight. Any larger or heavier and I would not carry the binoculars on an 'in case' mode.
I was amazed what I could 'see' through these binoculars - at that time I did not have a telescope. A whole new range of stars suddenly were on view. I could even see the four brightest moons of Jupiter - then I was hooked and started to draw their locations before dawn each day - see below!
Certainly to be recommended - all who try them are
surprised at the view they give. And after a year I am still on the same set of
batteries. Click logo-image above for link to Canon binocular site.
Jupiter and its Moons.
During September 2001, whilst on vacation in Scottsdale, Arizona, I got up before dawn most mornings to star gaze and started to sketch the positions of Jupiter's moons. Then I used the Jupiter95 software to check my observations! Download this software from many sites on the Internet: try Dan's Astronomy Software.
My very first observational records from Scottsdale, AZ, USA in September 2001 (pre-dawn) are copied below.
As records they are useless, but as a start of recording and providing an ongoing interest and the beginnings of a comprehension that the heavens are alive and you can see things actually moving they were to launch me into a new hobby.
Lunar Eclipse
Before I had purchased a telescope or binoculars I took some pictures of a total eclipse of the Moon as observed from UK - 9th January 2001.
Click
here for link to pictures of eclipse
