We try not to play favorites here at Optical Mechanics, but we have to admit: astronomy is definitely nearest and dearest to our hearts! We explore the solar system, viewing techniques, galaxies, space travel, and much, much more.
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 Lying on the celestial equator, the constellation of Orion is one of the most recognizable and well-known constellations in the night sky. It is visible in both hemispheres from November to March, hitting the meridian at sunset in January. The areas in and around Orion are home to one of the …
Orion Constellation – The Ultimate Guide to a Classic Beauty Read More »
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 Located on the ecliptic, Cancer (the “crab”) is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac and is found in the northern celestial hemisphere. Cancer is a medium-sized constellation with an area of 506 square degrees and is home to many exciting deep-sky objects, many of which will be discussed in …
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 Refractor vs reflector that is the question… Most people seem to have a fairly generic idea of a telescope that they picture in their minds, particularly when shopping for one: A long, skinny instrument with a lens at one end mounted on a spindly but elegant tripod, with the eyepiece at …
Refractor vs Reflector Telescope: What is the Difference? Read More »
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 When you start with astronomy from your backyard, you might not know where to start pointing your telescope in order to view the stars and planets. A star map is said to be useful because it can help you out, but it’s not very practical, and sometimes star maps you can …
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 You’ve purchased a new telescope and can’t wait to use it to find celestial objects in the night sky. But although your telescope can be set up in minutes, that doesn’t mean that you can use it straight out of the box – it needs to be aligned! Why do you …
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 The moon is potentially one of the easiest astronomical objects to photograph. It is very bright so it does not require long exposure times or specialist equipment, and most people in most places on earth can see the moon every month. However, photographing the moon well does require some knowledge and …
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 Why does the moon shine? is one of those seemingly simple questions that people tend to assume they were born with the knowledge to answer, like ‘why is the sky blue?’ That is until someone – usually a young child – asks them the question. But fear not, nobody is born …
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 So you’ve bought yourself a shiny new telescope, or you’ve dug an old one out of the attic, or perhaps you have your telescope all set up and working nicely but you get upgrade-itis and have a nagging feeling that there is more quality that can be wrung from your telescope? …
Kellner vs Plossl Eyepiece – What is the Difference? Read More »
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 There isn’t a person alive who hasn’t seen the Moon in the sky and noticed it changing shape. We’ve all watched it change from night to night, from a crescent to a half and then to full. It then seems to disappear from the night completely before returning, a few weeks …
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 The Dobsonian telescope has gone through a wide variety of iterations and innovations since it was first invented at the dawn of the Space Age, as well as a great deal of criticism. However, today Dobsonians dominate observing fields, are common even at astronomical observatories, and are widely considered the best …
What is a Dobsonian Telescope and How Does it Work? Read More »
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 Focusing a telescope may sound intimidating, but it’s actually a remarkably easy process. In this article, we will explain what how to focus a telescope actually means, how focusers work, and why it’s important. Most telescopes have an external focusing device that physically shifts the eyepiece or camera back and forth …
How to Focus a Telescope (Visually and Photographically) Read More »
google.com, pub-3944954862316283, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0 Pluto was discovered in 1930, but in recent years it has become a divisive issue for modern astronomers. Some say that the planet is too small to be considered a planet at all. Others say that it should still be called a planet because it is very similar to Jupiter and …
Can I See Pluto And Other Dwarf Planets With A Telescope? Read More »
