http://x.astrogeek.org/ en-us Jeff Burton <astrogeek@astrogeek.org> Copyright &#169; 2008 Jeff Burton http://x.astrogeek.org/blog.php?day=01&month=09&year=2008 I attended the inaugural Earth, Wind, and Sky Star Party outside Barry, IL. This newly formed star party has some great skies and lots of potential for growth. Jeff Burton News 2008-09-01T00:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/blog.php?day=05&month=08&year=2008 In the Internet connected world where we have access to so much information about the night sky in a few mouse clicks, have we forgotten how to document our own observations? Jeff Burton News 2008-08-05T00:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/blog.php?day=24&month=07&year=2008 I have been comparing the calculated Naked Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM) using an SQM-L meter and my estimated NELM using IMO charts with some surprising results. Jeff Burton News 2008-07-24T00:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/blog.php?day=18&month=07&year=2008 I received a new Meade 12mm Astrometric eyepiece and a Unihedron Sky Quality Meter in the mail and a generous helping of cloudy skies to go with them. Jeff Burton Equipment Notes 2008-07-18T00:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/blog.php?day=16&month=07&year=2008 I began rewiring the power distribution system for the Telekit scope. The small connectors were breaking off way to easily under any amount of stress. Jeff Burton Equipment Notes 2008-07-16T00:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/blog.php?day=15&month=07&year=2008 I have posted a new article in my “Observe My Way” series. This article covers how to use a planisphere to create an observing session plan for some future date. Jeff Burton News 2008-07-15T00:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/blog.php?day=14&month=07&year=2008 There are several methods for calculating the limiting magnitude of a telescope or pair of binoculars. However, individuals exceed these limits with regular frequency. Is there such a thing as a true limiting magnitude? Jeff Burton News 2008-07-14T00:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/blog.php?day=12&month=07&year=2008 The Great Red Spot gobbled up another smaller storm that gained notoriety in May 2008. Jeff Burton News 2008-07-12T00:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/observations/session.php?session_id=136 The second night of the Earth, Wind, and Sky Star Party found me observing objects in the constellations over the northern horizon including Andromeda, Cassiopeia, and Perseus. Jeff Burton Observing Sessions 2008-08-31T02:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/observations/session.php?session_id=135 Despite the extremely heavy dew and high humidity, the first night of the inaugural Earth, Wind, and Sky Star Party was a success. Under excellent skies, I managed several hours of observing before running out of gas late in the morning. Jeff Burton Observing Sessions 2008-08-30T02:00:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/observations/session.php?session_id=134 The third and final day of the Indiana Family Star Party came with plenty of sunshine, beautifully clear skies and lots of observing. With another steady sky, I managed to chase down and observe several objects than I had never observed before. Jeff Burton Observing Sessions 2008-08-03T02:30:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/observations/session.php?session_id=133 Night two of the IFSP 2008 proved to be better than the first night. With steady and transparent skies, I boosted the magnification and toured the summer Milky Way looking for globular clusters above the southern horizon. Jeff Burton Observing Sessions 2008-08-02T02:30:00-05:00 http://x.astrogeek.org/observations/session.php?session_id=132 The first evening of IFSP 2008 started the weekend off great, sans the heavy dew, and I logged several globular clusters and planetary nebulae, as well as many other objects. Jeff Burton Observing Sessions 2008-08-01T03:00:00-05:00