Kreegan's Astronomy Blog

Volunteering at Kopernik Observatory in public outreach activities, I have never seen a member of the public not be amazed at what we show them through our telescopes.  People, no matter what their background are always amazed at what the heavens have to show us.  There is a good reason for this, it is just simply amazing to observe and ponder the vastness of space, and to come to the realization that the wonders which surround us here on Earth are just one small part of the cosmic equation.

Some Screenshots of Computer Resources

I have only been active in the local astronomy community for about five years now, but I have been “observing” in one fashion or another for most of my life.  Furthermore, I have only owned my own telescopes for about five years.  Before I purchased my first telescope, I spent many years “observing from the armchair.”  Well more specifically, from my computer chair since the mid 1990’s.  There is a wealth of information, images, computer software, and groups of people one can interact with without leaving the home.

Read More →

OK there are two things that never go well together.  Serious amateur astronomical observing and light pollution.  The most irritating form of light pollution is something that is cyclical and periodic, but not constant.   For this very reason, the last place one would imagine to go observing would be at a lighthouse.  The periodic flares of light are the worst irritant to an observer, as the eye never adjusts to any particular steady state.

Bodie Lighthouse - Bodie Island, Outer Banks, NC (credit - Carolina Light)

It just seemed fairly ironical that the icons which signify the start of global light pollution would end up being an astronomical observing location for a night.

Read More →