StarGaZine Virtual Astronomy

[Steve]

This Sunday 24th May at 8pm, we are launching the first of an ongoing series of virtual astronomy talks, workshops and presentations at 'StarGaZine'. 

You can attend StarGaZine events free of charge via the Zoom video communications platform. 

For our very first event (Sunday 8pm) Steve Richards / @steppenwolf will provide his talk 'Making Every Photon Count: An Introduction to Deep Sky Imaging for Observers'.  His beginner-friendly talk will explain the equipment and techniques necessary to successfully capture deep sky targets. After the talk there will be a Q&A session.  

The following week (Sunday 31st May) Nik Szymanek will provide a talk followed by a Q&A session. 

After that, we are working on a week long imaging conference with a speaker every night covering specific topics.  Dates, speakers and topics will be announced later. 

Initially the talks focus on astrophotography but, ongoing, we will cover a wide range of astronomy subjects. 

Why are we launching StarGaZine when we already have StarGazersLounge? 

There are several reasons but primarily it is because: 

• During the pandemic we cannot have a SGL Star Party. 
• Many regular astronomy society meets are also not happening. 
• The usual astronomy fairs and shows are cancelled. 
• It will compliment and enhance SGL. 
• It will promote astronomy to a wider audience. 
• It will be fun 🙂 

@daz has agreed to be host. 

@Grant will cover the techy stuff and some general organisation. 

Ian King will help us find and book speakers. 

@FLO will cover the costs (i.e. speaker fees, Zoom license, equipment required, etc). 

If you have suggestions or know someone who might be interested in providing a talk, workshop or presentation, please let us know. 

As I type this Grant is hosting an outreach event, via Zoom, using the Ikarus Ovservatory setup at Pixel Skies in Castilléjar, Spain.  But he'll be along later to explain how to find and access StarGaZine events. 

We hope you will join us 🤗

[DirkSteele]

Superb idea.

[Steve]

Is there a graphic artist in the house? 🙂 

We will be building a website for StarGaZine so need a logo (will happily pay the going rate) so if you can help, please contact us. 

[John]

This is an excellent idea and I'm sure it will be a great success

I hope that visual observation and other non-imaging interests will be catered for in the near future 

I do realise that the majority of forum members do probably image or are interested in imaging though.

Back to my eyepiece now, while it's clear ....

 

 

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Nice idea and good luck with this. Given the subject matter would an announcement in the 'Getting Started with Imaging' forum be a good idea?

[happy-kat]

That sounds great. It will be my first star party 🙂

[carastro]

Excellent idea.  

Why not make the graphic a competition and then choose the one you like best.  Perhaps you can give some ideas of the sort of thing you would like, I'd like to give it a go, though I am not a computer graphics expert.

Carole 

[Xsubmariner]

Great idea, may I ask if these events be hosted on a viewing platform for people to watch later should they be unavailable for the Zoom event?

[AdeKing]

Sounds like a great idea guys, thanks again.

[ApophisAstros]

I have registered so when do where/When do we find out the Meeting ID or Personal link name?

Roger

Edited May 21, 2020 by apophisOAS

[reddoss]

This is a fantastic idea. 

Echoing Xsunaribers point above, please record the sessions so those who can not make it can catch up later.

[Grant]

We will be recording and will look at making this available to people who can't attend. This will be subject to each speaker giving permission.

Meeting links and ID's will be sent nearer the time 🙂

[old_eyes]

That is a great initiative. There are quite a few youtube channels giving useful info, but they are usually based around hte enthusiasms of the host and who/what they can source. It is good stuff, but a well curated set of events that can tap into a whole community would be a very welcome addition. I look forward to the first event, since @steppenwolf is one of my heroes!

[Guest]

Whats a fantastic idea, I shall be there ... virtually of course

[AstroExploring]

Great idea! “See” you all there 😃🔭

[Rob]

On 21/05/2020 at 14:26, Grant said:

We will be recording and will look at making this available to people who can't attend. This will be subject to each speaker giving permission.

Meeting links and ID's will be sent nearer the time 🙂

Sounds great guys.. well done. Maybe a You Tube channel to compliment for catch up/replay Grant.. I know you shall have it covered!

Good luck.. looking forward to it being a massive success of course.

Best Wishes Rob

[Owmuchonomy]

Very resourceful.  What is the duration of the talk(s) please? I imagine some timeframe will be attached.  Are the speakers really charging fees?

[PeterW]

Have a thread/poll for people to suggest topics, then we could find people to knock up some material. Not being an imager (well not at night time) am I in the minority?!

Peter

[DaveS]

OK, I've registered with Zoom, but as I don't have a webcam on this computer will I be crippled in my access? Think my old lappy has a cam.

[RayD]

5 minutes ago, DaveS said:

OK, I've registered with Zoom, but as I don't have a webcam on this computer will I be crippled in my access? Think my old lappy has a cam.

No, you can join Zoom with or without video.  You can join by phone if you don't have a computer.

[bomberbaz]

Already have zoom, great idea this. I am doing more of the eeva aspect along with some wide angle camera only shots but I plan attending. Can still pick up some useful tips.

[DaveS]

Thanks Ray. I'll have a look at my old laptop, currently I use it for RDP my telescope, but will switch that to another computer.

[RayD]

What an excellent idea 👏🏻👏🏻

[Richie092]

What a great idea. I will look forward to that.

 

[Blackware]

Awesome idea, looking forward!