Archive for May, 2010
Cell phone camera exceeds expectations.
Posted by admin | Filed under Lunar, Planetary
Here are a couple good shots from tonight I managed to get with my cell phone. I really can’t believe how these turned out.
They are by no means amazing images, but for my little Motorola Kraze they are definitely not too shabby!
Supper time lunar observations from the Patio
Posted by admin | Filed under Food, Lunar
We were eating our dinner on the patio on Wednesday night and noticed the moon directly over head. I ran in and brought the telescope out and we all took a gander. It’s hard to know what a 3 year old *actually* sees when she looks through an eyepiece. There is a tiny bit of [...]
Lunar than later…
Posted by admin | Filed under Lunar, Planetary
Last night my Dad, my friend Luke (equipped with his sweet camera) and I drove out into the country a little ways to try to get some good shots of the moon. We arrived at the dark site and clouds were immediately a problem. There were some breaks and we managed to shoot a few [...]
Like a big pizza pie!
Posted by admin | Filed under Lunar, Messier Catalog, Weather, Z8
Tonight was my first chance to check out the moon. It’s currently in the Waxing Crescent phase (20% full) so there is just a very small fingernail to observe. It’s beautiful though. Since so little of the moon is illuminated right now it’s not blinding and there is no need for the moon filter. I [...]
The Barnyard Observatory
Posted by admin | Filed under Food
This last Friday the skies were forecasted to be halfway decent. While shopping around for a telescope I was trying to think of good places that were convenient and quiet and free from lights. One place in-particular is almost too good to be true. One of my very good friends has some land just outside the town I live [...]
Markarian’s Chain
Posted by admin | Filed under Messier Catalog, Z8
I finally had a somewhat clear night last thursday and decided to get the Z8 out for a little bit in the yard. I was still fighting some clouds but with a chance of the skies clearing up enough to do some observing I thought I would at least just get the telescope out in [...]
Cloudy with a 100% chance of not using your telescope…
Posted by admin | Filed under Weather, Z8
It’s been cloudy! Completely, 100%, absolute cloud covered skies. I hear this is a common curse. Any time a backyarder like myself orders a telescope or any sort of optical equipment, the chance that it will be cloudy for the next two weeks goes up exponentially. I don’t believe in such superstitious curses, but I am [...]
Steak Deburgo + M81 & M82 / Plantains Fosters = perfection in decadence2.
Posted by admin | Filed under Food, Messier Catalog
This last weekend was a great one. Mandy went to Des Moines to help her mom pack for a big move north and I had a visit from a good friend. We had planned to make our annual Iowa Spring favorite. Steak DeBurgo with Morels. Another passion of mine is hunting morel mushrooms every spring. [...]
Z8 Assembly and First Light
Posted by admin | Filed under Messier Catalog, Z8
The Z8 finally arrived yesterday morning. I quickly unpacked to inspect. Everything was in good condition and I began assembly. There were no instructions included but I did manage to find a decent version online for the Z series from Zhumell.
The Z8 comes with a laser collimator from Zhumell. I followed the instructions from a [...]
In the beginning…
Posted by admin | Filed under Z8
Ever since I was a child I have marveled at the cosmos. I have always wanted to get closer and understand more. I grew up in right in the middle of Iowa where mostly dark skies are easily found with very little driving. I grew up camping with my family and laying out under the [...]
