stolenfeather

You;ll get the "feel" for it really fast. This is a VERY good site when it comes to advice but I find that most people prefer posting and answer by clicking on "stargazers lounge" (top left), selecting an appropriate forum (ex: beginner's help and advise) and then starting a new thread (thread starter on the left). Write and post your question there and you'll be amazed as to how many people will answer! Sometimes you have to give it some time though. Isabelle

I wish you good luck on this project! Isabelle

Very descriptive blog there Todd! I really enjoyed this post! We are truly blessed to have the ability to look up to the stars and see it in all its glory! Isabelle

I have complete faith in the Skywatcher's capabilities. For the rest of your question, I suggest putting a thread for the rest of the forum to see since not many people venture in the blog section. I wish you good luck! Isabelle

Good luck on that. I really hope the weather cooperates with your plans! Isabelle

I loved the video as well. It's not every day we can see Saturn dance to the music! Very sharp! Isabelle

Great pictures Todd! Amazing!

I would love for you to send me the link Patrick. I'm sure you captured a beauty! Isabelle

I hope your friend does have a chance to see them. I'm in an area where they can be seen and for the whole winter there were many chances and each time,.. there was cloud cover. I actually stopped looking (or even caring) after awhile since this was always happening until,.. they surprised me! Seeing them does indeed make you see the world around you differently. In some native cultures, they believe that the lights are their ancestors returning to see them. It's a nice thought. For my part,.. they just make me realize how complex our world really is. Isabelle

I simply couldn't believe that it was there all along and I was facing the other way!

Thanks Tibbs! I'm happy that you enjoyed it, as for the view,... it doesn't get better than this. Being in the isolated north does have it's ups and downs but this is definitely sky high! Isabelle

Now, that is indeed a makeover! Take it easy out there with an electric saw,.. and concrete! You used a saw against concrete? You are indeed very brave. Good luck on the installment next weekend! Isabelle

Once you see the majestic sight of the northern lights,.. one never forgets it!

I hope that will indeed be my experience and thanks for the encouragement!

I hope you have a very productive night out there! Can't wait for the journal after. May Saturn be very welcoming! Isabelle

As for solar activity, it was really seen last night in the northern areas of Quebec. The auroras were magnificent! Isabelle

The Hotech laser is supposed to be the best. It will certainly be interesting to see how it pans out!

April 1st, 2011 After watching one of my favourite science fiction movies of all time "Alien", I decided to take out my telescope. It was around 10:00pm and since the night sky doesn't become dark till later, this was the perfect time. Orion was already very low to the horizon. It was with ultimate respect that I gave it a wave goodnight. The final curtain was falling for my dearest constellation since the center stage will soon be ready for the spring / summer night sky. I sat in my astro-chair watching the stars as my eyes became accustomed to the darkness. I can't do this comfortably during the winter months because of the cold which made this particular moment that much more divine! I knew where my next deep sky challenge would be: M44, the Beehive cluster. I told myself that my eyesight was NOT going to be a barrier this time and since the moon was nowhere to be found, neither would there be any celestial interference. With my back facing west, I decided to take a small detour to knock on Saturn's door. It was bright and very welcoming but the meeting wasn't as exciting as I had hoped. As I looked through my eyepiece, the fact that my telescope needed collimation (the mirrors need to be realigned) screamed under my skin. Soon my collimator would arrive. Soon, very soon,... My thirst for something a little father tugged once more and I set my viewfinder to the north. My target resided in the constellation of Cancer. For some reason, I had trouble distinguishing it's stars. This baffled me since my area is usually relatively free of light pollution. A little push here and a couple of quick glimpses there, and,.. Oh there goes a satellite! Oh yeah back to the cluster,... I had found it! Once again, the light bothered me. Turning around I looked to the west and,.. :eek: HOLY ---- !! :eek: (Mind you if it really had been blessed fecal matter, Steven's pictures of the event would have surely never come out this good!) All winter, the news announced solar activity, and many nights I made my way outside to be welcomed by clouds. After sometime, I pretty much told myself that "I would see it when I see it". The fact that I had my back to them. completely unaware all this time doesn't show me in my best light. I call myself a backyard astronomer and don't even take the time to look at ALL the regions of my backyard? I guess I became too involved in my quest to locate my little Messier Object that I neglected the (ahem) big picture of things to the west!

I'll be brave,.. I'll be brave! :)

Thanks Patrick and Todd! I need to do it once and then I'll be fine but like I said, it's like a surgeon making that first cut. The big "what ifs" bother me. Fiddling with the mirrors sounds so intimidating but a girl has to do what girl has to do! Isabelle

Very well written! Thanks for sharing! Isabelle

March 30th, 2011 Last night was my 51st time acclimating and using my telescope. I must confess something, I have been a bad astronomer. You see, telescopes have no magic to them. However, like many illusionists, they work with mirrors. Once in awhile (about every two months or so) or according to need, the user makes sure that these mirrors are indeed aligned properly. In true astronomical terms, this is called collimation. I confess, all this time,... I have never done it. If truth be known, like a neurosurgeon attempting to "make that first cut", I have been quite intimidated by the whole ordeal. However, I have waited long enough and it had to be done. I attempted to check the alignment of the mirrors last night but deep down inside, I knew I didn't have to. This was long time overdue. I called the store I usually deal with for my astronomical needs for three reasons today: The telescope I had ordered to use during the summer had not arrived yet. It had been exactly one month since I had made the order. My new Barlow lens had not been delivered either. I wanted to order a little jewel that would make my collimation experience less painful, a Hotech Laser Collimator. Now, why on earth would I order from this particular seller again if I had waited so long for my previous items? I've dealt with him before and he's always been dependable. He apologized over and over again stating that he had not received the items from his supplier yet. Why don't I go directly to the supplier myself? My passion for astronomy is still in it's infancy stages making suggestions / recommendations greatly appreciated. As I learn, I believe that I will feel more secure with my purchases in the future. However, when it came to the collimator, the seller actually congratulated me stating, "that it was indeed the best". Collimation was near to impossible last night. At first I thought that my eyesight was still giving me trouble because of my latest MS relapse but in the end, it had nothing to do with my own vision at all,... the humidity levels were extremely high making any clear image impossible. So here I sit waiting for my purchased items to make their way to the isolated north. The Barlow is greatly needed since the one I have been using all of this time, has developed a crack (I never dropped it so assume that this was caused by the differences of heat and cold over time). I also wait impatiently for the collimator. The neurosurgeon has been far too patient and an incision is due. Isabelle callmenurse.blogspot.com

Oh wow,.. you're making your own,.. what a wonderful project but one I would be too scared to try yet. Maybe one day. Keep us posted on your success. I'm sorry if I can't help you more. Isabelle

I had a problem a couple of days ago when I upgraded my firefox to the new version but it's been working fine since then. Isabelle