http://www.observers.org/wiki/ 2012-05-16T19:26:26-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/ http://www.observers.org/wiki/lib/images/favicon.ico text/html 2009-12-30T15:32:53-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=faq&rev=1262215973&do=diff On the The Astronomy Connection email list, certain topics come up over and over again. Here's some answers to these frequently asked questions... Feel free to add your own... * How can I add my contributions to this FAQ? * Red Laptop Screens * Batteries * Green Laser Pointers * Making Finder Charts * Fremont Peak * Optical effects: why does this scope behave like this? * Glossary of common terms * Offsite links to useful places text/html 2009-12-30T22:30:54-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=findercharts&rev=1262241054&do=diff Return to Main FAQ Index Making Finder Charts Finder charts can be valuable in the field while tracking down DeepSky objects. This page shows some techniques that can go beyond simple photocopies in order to produce custom finder charts in the form of jpeg graphics files that can be printed out for use in the field or on a laptop in the field. (use red plastic over the laptop screen and dim that screen!). This is an alternative to making charts from your planitarium program and of… text/html 2009-12-20T14:25:40-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=fremontpeak&rev=1261347940&do=diff Fremont Peak FPOA Website How to join FPOA Fremont Peak is a state park near San Juan Bautista. The mountain picks up a laminar flow off the coast, which often results in spectacular seeing. When the marine layer covers the coastal cities, the Peak gets seriously dark. text/html 2009-12-20T02:47:47-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=greenlasers&rev=1261306067&do=diff Green Laser Pointers * GLPs are great for pointing things out to folks at a public star party. * At regular star parties where folks are trying to enjoy the night sky, they are annoying. * When used as a finder on a telescope, they are dangerous. * In the hands of kids, they are dangerous. * Pointing them at airplanes - dangerous, and quite illegal (interferring with the operation of an aircraft). * the 5mW GLPs are plenty bright enough for night sky use. anything brighter than thi… text/html 2007-11-25T13:36:31-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=howtoaddtothefaq&rev=1196026591&do=diff This is a wiki, which allows very simple editing and sharing of content. Think of it like a shared whiteboard, or old-school bulletin board. Normally, wikis (like Wikipedia) are open to anyone for authoring; sort of a “Peace and Free Love” attitude. Unfortunately, the 21st century Internet it is not all Peace and Free Love. text/html 2009-12-20T02:38:43-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=laptopbatteries&rev=1261305523&do=diff Batteries are becoming an increasingly important part of astronomy - not just for the traditional users of batteries, like the astro-imagers and people that use Goto scopes, but increasingly even visual and dobsonian observers are using batteries to run laptops for starcharts. text/html 2010-02-26T12:59:41-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=links&rev=1267217981&do=diff Common links of general astronomy and astrophotography use. General how-to <http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/astromenu.html> Basic Rebel how-to, book, and a picture gallery. Image Web Server Sites Put the name of your favorite web server sites here. text/html 2008-01-13T18:57:23-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=optical&rev=1200279443&do=diff This page presents “the tip of the iceberg” on a number of subjects which may confound the beginner astronomer. Written by a true amateur, feel free to add or update this page. Astigmatism When I focus on a star, I find that near the perfect focus, the star changes shape from a fuzzy horizontal to a fuzzy vertical blob. Why is this? David Kingsley, a TAC member, wrote this reply: text/html 2007-11-20T16:13:40-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=plettstone&rev=1195604020&do=diff Plettstone Observing Site Plettstone is private property owned by Michelle Stone and Paul Plett located in the foothills of the Sierra range. You must have an invitation to observe at the site. Open invitations are broadcast several times each year on the events list at <http://www.observers.org> and the TAC mail list. text/html 2006-06-14T23:55:19-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=redlaptopscreens&rev=1150354519&do=diff Red Laptop Screen Filters Craig Colvin has written an excellent FAQ on dimming a laptop screen, at <http://observers.org/tac.mailing.list/2003/May/0023.html> From Sander... Sorry, TAP Plastics. <http://www.tapplastics.com> . Stores around the Bay Area. Good source for all kinds of plastic goods like red acetate, acrylic sheet cut to size, little boxes and bottles etc. I once built an underwater housing my DV cam and had them cut the components. Worked like a charm. Bummer that I can't dive an… text/html 2011-04-26T11:39:42-07:00 http://www.observers.org/wiki/doku.php?id=start&rev=1303843182&do=diff TAC is a open group of active amateur astronomers who coordinate by the TAC email list and <http://observers.org> website This DocuWiki is intended for community editing. If you are new to Wiki or want to test things, please use the wiki playground.