Amateur Astronomer

[Galactic_eyes]

I've been an amateur astronomer for over 30 years now. I have a backyard observatory that houses all of my telescopes two of which are on a permanent pier. One telescope is for imaging the sky only. My area of interest is in Comets and Near Earth Objects(NEO's). 2013 looks to be a really good year for these objects.<br><br>I live in a rual area but still influenced by some light pollution. I live about 90 miles from a dark sky Astronomy community(Deerlick Astronomy village). One purpose of converting my van into a self contained camper is to have the ability to travel to dark sky locations around Ga. and boondock if I have to.<br><br>The other main reason for converting my van is for a Bug Out Vehicle(BOV). In a Crap hit's the fan scenario and I need to leave in a hurry the van will be ready to go at a moments notice to a location that has been setup for this. Of course this is a last resort measure. I'm staying at the house as long as I can.

 

[peacetara]

Welcome!<br><br>I like to look at the stars, but I couldn't find the big dipper... even with the hubble telescope to help me!<br><br>Anyways, welcome to the forum, there are people here that have bug out bags that live in their van.&nbsp; I have no experience in any of that stuff, but if you search around the forum, or post a few topics about it, there will be a lively discussion I'm sure!<br><br>Regardless, welcome!<br><br>I've been living in my van since August of 2012, and enjoy it immensely!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[Kimbopolo]

Well, I'm somewhere between you and Tara.&nbsp; I can identify some of the night sky but not as much as I would like.&nbsp; I've been a life-long stargazer but due to light pollution and lack of time, it's been difficult to pursue.&nbsp; But that's about to change.&nbsp; One big reason I wanted to get my van and hit the road is to see some serious astronomy action.&nbsp; I don't have any special equipment though; I'm happy with my binocs and a lawn chair.&nbsp; <br><br>Here's to chasing your dream!

 

[StarEcho]

I'm right there with you Galactic! &nbsp;My whole drive to get a van (and I'm looking for one exactly like you have) is so that I can put all my astronomy gear in the back and have it stocked and ready for when I'm able to get out of town for a while. &nbsp;In the meantime I would have all the astro stuff available there for when I go to public outreach events for the local club. &nbsp;I'm just starting to get into astrophotography but haven't had much chance to really work on it. &nbsp;Having more trouble with the post processing actually..ie stacking. &nbsp;But I'm getting there. &nbsp;<br><br>I've only been actively into astronomy for the past 3 or 4 years so I have a lot to learn all round. &nbsp;It's fun though and I do like the public outreach events where I set my scope up and have the kids ooohing and ahhhing. (and mom's and dad's too!) &nbsp;Trying to remind them not to expect to see what they see in the pictures. &nbsp;IE, most have seen pics of Andromeda galaxy, but in the scope it's an oval whitish smudge..LOL &nbsp;Still exciting to me, but if you don't warn folks they can be disappointed. &nbsp;<br><br>Right now, I'm using a Ford Windstar minivan which is way too small (for me at least) to camp from or a 27' Class C which is way too big to drive anywhere (never mind the gas guzzling aspect of it) on the spur of the moment. &nbsp;<br><br>At least for me, I can't just say I'm going out on such and such a night to set my telescope up. &nbsp;I'm at the mercy of the clear sky gods. So when I look outside and it's clear I want to be able to just throw the&nbsp;camera&nbsp;in the van and book out and be able to stay there if I want.<br><br>I would absolutely LOVE to have an observatory where I could have a mount on a pier! &nbsp;Some members of my local club have them and they are really nice. &nbsp;If I ever won the lottery that would be one thing I'd do. &nbsp;But since I haven't I'm going to put what little I have towards setting up a mobile "home" that I can use here around town but just take off in when the opportunity presents itself.<br><br>If anyone is traveling to/through Colorado (and I'm here) you're welcome to get in touch with me and I can share what I know and where there are some of the good observing sites in southern colorado.

 

[josephusminimus]

<P>Galactic-eyes:&nbsp; I posted this earlier on another thread, but I still have a 2.1 version, I believe, and a couple of&nbsp;older ones with the handbook if you're interested.&nbsp; PM me and I'll mail it to you if you want it.&nbsp; Maybe some others in your club would want the others I have left:<BR><BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://sofarfromheavendotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/mica-upgrade.jpg?w=500&amp;h=785&amp;h=785" rel="lightbox"><BR><BR><BR>Here's the other post, in part:<BR><BR><A href="/post/Compact-Astronomy-6010664?trail=30" rel=nofollow>https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Compact-Astronomy-6010664?trail=30</A></P><P>This offer is still open:</P><P><BR>Earlier Versions of MICA Software if you can use them</P><P><BR>I use a piece of purchased software from the US Naval Observatory, Multi-Year Interactive Almanac 1800-2050 [MICA], which provides a huge amount of information allowing you to plan ahead for your star gazing activities.&nbsp; The software's updated frequently and I've got several older versions lying around with the hardcover handbooks that come with the CD.&nbsp; When I hit the road I'll be donating them to a thrift store most likely.</P><P><A href="http://aa.usno.navy.mil/software/mica/micainfo.php" rel=nofollow>http://aa.usno.navy.mil/software/mica/micainfo.php</A></P><P>But if anyone would like to have one of those older versions [ I think I have four] feel free to contact me and I'll send one to you.&nbsp; They're each the best that was out there anywhere at the time they were current.&nbsp; Mostly the upgrades have involved nuances in math too arcane to keep them from being useful to the average user.</P>

 

[Galactic_eyes]

Thanks Jack <span id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " title="Offline" dir="ltr">for the offer on the software. <br><br>@StarEco, yes it's fun doing a public outreach. A lot of people have a certain disbelief that they are actually seeing Saturn rings through the telescope. I had a Girl Scout to ask me how I was putting that image in there. <br><br>You'd be surprised at how many children and even adults have never even seen the stars. Areas like downtown NYC you are only able to see like 10 of the brightest stars. Light pollution is a huge problem along the east coast. I can see the Milkyway at my location but it doesn't stand out like it does at a good dark sky location. That's the reason I want to go mobile.&nbsp;<br><br>Thanks for all of your comments.<br><br>Kevin<br><br><br></span>

 

[Rob S.]

greetings fellow stargazers<BR><BR>i like to keep track of the constallations through the year as another way to reference time and space with the rest of the galaxy. everything (stars and planets) that i can see are all in the milkyway. <BR><BR>So even though it's late february, i'm excited to&nbsp;recognize the summer triangle in the pre dawn sky.<BR>Also I like to see Scorpio, Virgo, Bootes&nbsp;and Leo as signs of spring. <BR><BR>I also like to see orion rise in&nbsp;august because it lets me know the blistering heat of summer is on the way out. <BR><BR>i'm also fooling around with astro-photography with mixed results so far. i can make a nice steady tripod if I lay&nbsp;with my back on the ground. good for longer exposures. <BR><BR>best to all,

 

[Galactic_eyes]

Greetings Rob. Be sure to be on the look out for Comet C/2011 L4 PanSTARRS. It will come into view in the first or second week of March and currently visible to the naked eye for our friends in Australia. Good pair of 10x50 binoculars should provide a great view of this comet.<br><br>Kevin<br><br><br>