Astrofest 2007

This annual exhibition of astronomy equipment accompanied by talks from leading practitioners takes place at Kensington Town Hall in London on Friday and Saturday this week, 9th and 10th February 2007. If you've been before you will know that most of the leading manufacturers and retailers are represented. We have usually attended as visitors but this year will have our own stand for the first time. If you can get there we look forward to seeing you; please call by and say hello.

Astroblast 2007

Looking a little further ahead we have now posted details of Astroblast 2007 on the web and you can see these at www.astroblast.org.uk.  Building on the success of last year we plan to make this even bigger and better and hope you will be able to join us. Astroblast has something to offer all ages but we particularly want to attract those who are new to astronomy, especially children, parents and teachers.

Comet McNaught

It didn't raise as much interest in the UK as it deserved but Comet McNaught is being called the Great Comet of 2007 in some quarters. Take a look at the images at http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_mcnaught.php and you will start to see why. It saved its most spectacular displays for southern hemisphere observers and some of the images in the later pages are unbelievable.

Hawaii Earthquake

Things have pretty well returned to normal in all the major observatories on Mauna Kea following the earthquake on October 16th 2006. All the telescopes experienced minor problems and some were out of action or limping along with problems for a few weeks. When I was involved in building the telescopes for La Palma and Gemini we had to design in earthquake protection which sometimes made a difficult job even trickier. I guess we now know that it wasn't a waste of time and effort.

Binocular Astronomy

Binoculars are often recommended as the best way to get started in astronomy and there is no doubt that browsing the sky with them can be great fun. Many of the larger clusters and formations look their best in the wide field that binoculars offer. Stephen Tonkin's new book called Binocular Astronomy is an excellent guide to choosing and using binoculars for astronomy. It has a wealth of technical detail that is interesting in itself but you can skip that if you just want help in knowing what to look for. It has a section called 50 objects for 50mm binoculars, ideal for beginners and the average observer, and a second one called 100 objects for 100mm binoculars for more advanced observers. The price is £19.50 and it is well worth it.

Venus and Mercury

Venus has been so bright in the evening sky that it has been impossible to miss unless obscured by cloud. But have you noticed Mercury below it and much fainter? At present it is about six and a half degrees away from Venus and at magnitude -0.6 should be easy to see. (Venus is about -3.9) Try looking at twilight before the stars come out and it should be easy to identify Mercury. If you want to look at Venus through your telescope I recommend doing so before the sky is fully dark as Venus is very bright.

Arizona Sky Village

I've just returned from two weeks at the village when the winter weather varied every day. The first Sunday we had six inches of snow fall overnight which encouraged the birds and animals to be much bolder in their search for food. Cardinals, Road Runners, Quail and lots of other birds came right up to the house together with rabbits, ground squirrels and coyotes.

Within a few days the snow had almost all gone and it was possible to work outside in shirt sleeves during the day, The snow delayed some of my work so I didn't get as much done as planned but the pier and mount for the 16-inch Newise are now in place and the telescope is ready for commissioning. I used the 12-inch Dobsonian when the weather was clear but didn't get to see Comet McNaught. It had moved too far south by the time I arrived but had been easily visible during the daytime a few days earlier.

Incidentally, I've just updated the ASV web site at www.arizonaskyvillage.co.uk so you may care to take a look at it. The last two visit reports remain to be done together with some of the photo galleries but there's a lot to see.

And finally...

We've completely reorganised the showroom with 'new' large cabinets that allow us to display the equipment much more effectively. Although second-hand they are a big improvement and make it easier to find what you're looking for. Why not come along to tonight's star party or the one on February 20th to see for yourself?

Best wishes and Clear Skies

Neil