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Michael’s Miscellany: Find Equuleus

Michael E. Bakich — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:07:21 +0000

We’ve all identified Pegasus in the sky, right? It’s easy to see the Great Square, notwithstanding that one of the stars belongs to Andromeda. The constellation Pegasus represents the mythological winged horse. But did you know that the sky holds a second horse? On Pegasus’ southwest border sits Equuleus — and, by the way, theContinue reading "Michael’s Miscellany: Find Equuleus"

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Michael’s Miscellany: Observing Awards

Michael E. Bakich — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:24:36 +0000

Some amateur astronomers love observing awards. They pursue them with vigor and eagerly await the appearance of the next list of objects. Other amateurs couldn’t care less about them. They would rather not be bothered filling out forms or submitting log entries, however much they may like the objects on the list itself. Personally, IContinue reading "Michael’s Miscellany: Observing Awards"

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Experience the Moon on Earth

Michael E. Bakich — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 18:45:18 +0000

On Saturday, September 20, an ambitious project will be announced and celebrated in Animas, New Mexico, which lies near the Arizona border. And you’re invited. Dubbed “Lunar Base Alpha,” it will replicate the lunar landscape and feature rovers conducting science experiments and habitats that you’ll be able to stay in. The initial project will coverContinue reading "Experience the Moon on Earth"

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Michael’s Miscellany: Sidereal Time

Michael E. Bakich — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:41:25 +0000

The basic unit of astronomical time measurement is the day, one rotation of Earth on its axis. But there is more than one way to define day. We can define it based on the Sun. One solar day is the time for the Sun to leave and return to your local meridian, the imaginary line that joins theContinue reading "Michael’s Miscellany: Sidereal Time"

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Michael’s Miscellany: 10 More Cool Things About the Sun

Michael E. Bakich — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 15:03:25 +0000

If you missed my first 10 cool things about the Sun, you can read them here. Now you’re ready for 10 more. 11. Astronomers call the Sun’s visible surface the photosphere. Its thickness ranges from tens of miles to a few hundred miles. 12. The chromosphere is a layer about 1,200 miles thick that lies aboveContinue reading "Michael’s Miscellany: 10 More Cool Things About the Sun"

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Michael’s Miscellany: Tips for Observing the Moon, Part 2

Michael E. Bakich — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:07:55 +0000

Recently, I posted the first part of this list, which you can find here. This is part 2. 6. Cut down the moonlight Many observers use either neutral density filters or variable polarizing filters to reduce the Moon’s light. I prefer the latter because an observer can change how much light the filter transmits. TwoContinue reading "Michael’s Miscellany: Tips for Observing the Moon, Part 2"

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Michael’s Miscellany: Tips for Observing the Moon, Part 1

Michael E. Bakich — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:21:29 +0000

The Moon offers something for every amateur astronomer. It’s visible somewhere in the sky most nights, its changing face presents features one night not seen the previous night, and it doesn’t take an expensive setup to enjoy it. To help you get the most out of viewing the Moon, I’ve developed some simple tips. FollowContinue reading "Michael’s Miscellany: Tips for Observing the Moon, Part 1"

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Michael’s Miscellany: 10 Cool Things About the Sun

Michael E. Bakich — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:44:29 +0000

Everyone loves lists, it seems. My three “10 Cool Facts About the Moon” lists proved popular, so I’m following up with three lists about the Sun. Here’s the first one. 1. The Sun is a star. It’s similar to all the stars we see at night. Of course, some of them are hotter, and someContinue reading "Michael’s Miscellany: 10 Cool Things About the Sun"

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Michael’s Miscellany: The Observer’s Eye

Michael E. Bakich — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:11:12 +0000

When you set up your telescope, you want to give yourself the best chance to make successful observations. Top-notch equipment will certainly help, but another key is knowledge. Here are a few things about the eye that I’ve learned through the years. OK, decades. Astigmatism The best corrective device for astigmatism seems to be hardContinue reading "Michael’s Miscellany: The Observer’s Eye"

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Michael’s Miscellany: 10 More Cool Things About the Moon

Michael E. Bakich — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:17:29 +0000

Recently, I posted two lists of Moon facts, each containing 10 that were pretty cool. They’ll also help you answer questions about our lone natural satellite. You’ll find them here and here. Well, here are 10 more … #21. A total of 12 American astronauts have walked on the Moon. They traveled there as partContinue reading "Michael’s Miscellany: 10 More Cool Things About the Moon"

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