“Star Gazer” Jack Horkheimer dead at 72
August 21st, 2010 | Author: Herb
One of the worlds most beloved astronomers has passed away, Jack Horkheimer also known as the “Star Hustler” and host of the weekly PBS series called “Star Gazer” passed away on Friday August 20, 2010. Jack touched the lives of millions of people around the globe and he will be dearly missed by all. For more information please visit the following link: NBC Miami.
In honor of his memory please “Keep Looking Up” !
2010 Globe at Night
March 4th, 2010 | Author: Herb
GLOBE at Night is an annual 2-week campaign in March. People all over the world record the brightness of their night sky by matching its appearance toward the constellation Orion with star maps of progressively fainter stars. They submit their measurements on-line and a few weeks later, organizers release a map of light-pollution levels worldwide. Over the last four GLOBE at Night campaigns, volunteers from over 100 nations have contributed 35,000 measurements…Learn How to Participate
MP3/Podcast with Constance Walker
Earth Hour 2010
February 23rd, 2010 | Author: Herb
Check out the 2010 Earth Hour Video…very inspiring!Click Here
Horsehead Nebula
January 8th, 2010 | Author: Herb
Horsehead Nebula
by Tom Davis
I thought many of you may enjoy the following image taken by Tom Davis from Rowan County NC.
The image covers a pretty wide field in the belt of Orion near the star Alnitak, thats the bright one on the left, and contains most notably the famous Horsehead and Flame Nebula which are about 1500 light years from here. Tom used a TMB100/800 Refractor with a .75x AP focal reducer, and a Astronomik CLS filter to help reduce Light Pollution, he combined all that with a Canon XS DSLR camera to produce this image. (Click Image To Enlarge)
If you would like to see more of Mr. Davis’ work please visit his online photo gallery on Flickr. (Click Here)
How big is that?
October 29th, 2009 | Author: Herb
Through the years I have let a lot of people look through my telescopes. And one of the questions most frequently asked when the target is a planet, like Jupiter, the Sun or the Moon, is “How big is that?”. Now seriously, if I say the diameter is about 800,000 miles, you will pretty much loose most people, I mean what do we have in our daily lives to compare that number too? Well I have found a neat web application that will let you compare the sizes of various objects in our solar system side by side. This is a great example of how the web can be used effectively in education; and a great example, and proof supporting the old saying ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’. Check this out:
(Try selecting the Earth on the left and the Sun on the right, then click Compare in the middle. Now that’s an eye opener huh!)
Android Sky Maps
September 14th, 2009 | Author: Herb
Google has a cool, free application for the “Android” phone called Sky Maps and I thought a few of you may be interested. It shows you what should be visible even when Light Pollution keeps you from seeing the real thing. Enjoy and remember to keep looking up, the real stars may return one night! Herb
AMA on Light Pollution
July 1st, 2009 | Author: Herb
The American Medical Association joins the rest of the world in supporting our global efforts at affecting Light pollution reform for the betterment of mankind.
The AMA Resolution states in part:
“Whereas, Our AMA has long advocated for policies that are scientifically sound and that positively influence public health policy; and”
“Whereas, We in the AMA have an opportunity to influence and promote legislation at both the national and state level on energy savings through a reduction in light pollution; and”
“Whereas, Light pollution is increasingly recognized as a waste of energy and a public safety issue; and…..”
Full PDF version available online at:
www.ama-assn.org (see resolution 516)