How does one behave on the observing field? What's the best way to observe a meteor shower? What is an occultation, and why is it important to observe? This section contains articles written to answer many questions people have about astronomy.
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Written by SFAAA Board
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Monday, 08 June 2009 21:10 |
| Welcome to the SFAAA Loaner Scope Program Request Form. This page will allow you to determine which scopes are availabe for reservation. Requesting time is easy. Review the types of telescopes available through the SFAAA Loaner Scope Program. Once you have chosen the type of scope you want select an available time slot from the this page for your chosen scope. Fill out the SFAAA Loaner Scope Request Form to request the scope and time chosen. We will process the form and you should receive an email within a few days with a confirmation of reservation. | | Date Range | Orion 10" Dob | ZenithStar 66mm SD | | | July
(7/4/2009-08/6/2009) | Booked | Booked | | | August
(8/8/2009-09/3/2009) | OPEN | OPEN | | | September
(9/5/2009-10/1/2009) | OPEN | OPEN | | | October
(10/3/2009-11/5/2009) | OPEN | OPEN | | | November
(11/7/2009-12/3/2009) | OPEN | OPEN | | | December
(12/5/2009-01/7/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | January
(1/9/2010-2/4/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | Febuary
(2/6/2010-03/4/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | March
(3/6/2010-04/1/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | April
(4/3/2010-05/6/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | May
(5/8/2010-06/3/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | June
(6/5/2010-07/1/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | July
(7/3/2010-08/5/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | August
(8/7/2010-9/2/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | September
(9/4/2010-10/7/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | | October
(10/9/2010-11/4/2010) | OPEN | OPEN | | |
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Written by SFAAA Board
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Monday, 08 June 2009 18:10 |
| One benefit of membership in the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association is access to the telescopes that are part of the SFAAA Loaner Scope Program. The qualifications needed to borrow one of these telescopes are: 1) minimum of three month of active participation in club events 2) completion of a short training course 3) approval by the observatory director. The SFAAA Loaner Scope Program allows members who don't own or have access to a telescope to borrow one for touring the night sky. The loaner scope program can be particularly beneficial to novices, who not only want to become familiar with the night sky but would also like to learn something about the different amateur telescopes available today.
The SFAAA Loaner Scope program works something like a library book loan. You can check out a telescope for a one month period. At the end of the month, you are obligated to return the telescope. If no one else has reserved the telescope, you may renew your loan for an additional month. As with a library book loan, you are of course responsible for the equipment while it is in your possession.
The telescopes are borrowed the Saturday after the SFAAA Monthly General Membership Meeting and returned at the next monthly General Membership Meetings. If you are interested in borrowing a scope from the SFAAA Loaner Scope Program we have made it easy. Take a look at the SFAAA Loaner Scope Schedule and find an open period and submit the request using the SFAAA Loaner Scope Request Form. Here are the different telescopes that are currently available: * 1) Orion SkyQuest XT10 10" Classic Dobsonian Telescope
* 2) William Optics ZenithStar 66 PATRIOT Edition |
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| 1) Orion SkyQuest XT10 10" Classic Dobsonian Telescope |  | A good all purpose, portable, rugged telescope. A Newtonian telescope on a very simple to use Dobsonian mount. Just point and shoot. A good telescope for the beginner. This telescope will provide good planetary and deep sky viewing. It includes the following accessories:
| | * 35mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece
* 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece
* 12.5mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece
* Telrad Finder
* Messier Finder Chart w/telrad overlays
* OTA Carring case and Eyepiece case
* Star Watch Beginner's Guide Book Specifications:
Type: Newtonian Reflector
Mount: Alt-Az (Dobsonian)
Focal Length(F): 1200mm 47.2in
Focal Ratio(f): 4.7
Minimum Magnification: 36X
Maximum Magnification: 300X
Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 14.7
Resolving Power: .46arc-sec
Complete Weight: 55.3lbs
Optical Tube Weight: 30.8lbs | | Eyepiece Info: | | Focal Length | Magnification | Apparent FOV | Actual FOV | | 32mm | 37.5X | 52° | 1.39° | | 25mm | 48X | 52° | 1.08° | | 12.5mm | 96X | 52° | .54° |
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| 2) William Optics ZenithStar 66 PATRIOT Edition |  | The William Optics ZenithStar 66 APO OTA is doublet, air-spaced APO telescope. This small, portable scope can be used on its own or as a piggyback guide scope. The lens design offers color-free, high-contrast images that are sharp to the edge of the field. It includes the following accessories:
| | * 35mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece
* 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece
* 12.5mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece
* Basic Alt/Az Tripod
* Messier Finder Chart w/telrad overlays
* OTA/Eyepiece Carring case Specifications:
Type: Refractor
Mount: Alt-Az (Camera Tripod)
Focal Length(F): 388mm 15.3in
Focal Ratio(f): 5.9
*Minimum Magnification: 36X
*Maximum Magnification: 300X
*Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 14.7
*Resolving Power: .46arc-sec
Optical Tube Weight: 3.5lbs | | Eyepiece Info: | | Focal Length | Magnification | Apparent FOV | Actual FOV | | 32mm | 37.5X | 52° | 1.39° | | 25mm | 48X | 52° | 1.08° | | 12.5mm | 96X | 52° | .54° |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 19 May 2008 20:18 |
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Astronomers Etiquette (Please take a moment to read over this information)
So you want to do some stargazing? Please keep in mind that as you are viewing to be careful as you navigate your way around the telescopes. Telescopes range from a few hundred dollars to over $10,000! The owners love to share their experiences with everyone, but don't want to worry about having their equipment damaged due to carelessness. Please do your best to abide by these simple courtesies.
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 19 May 2008 20:17 |
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What is an Occultation? Occultations occur when one celestial body passes in front of another. These frequent and intriguing events are fun to watch, and provide an important way for amateur astronomers to make significant discoveries about objects within our own Solar System as well as the stars beyond. |
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Written by Charlie Hein
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Monday, 19 May 2008 20:14 |
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Taken from: http://www.britastro.com/meteor/
 Naked eye observation of meteors is one of the easiest and most pleasant form of work open to the amateur astronomer. Even a beginner can make useful observations, and it is a good way to learn the constellations. Meteor work is excellent for clubs and societies with little or no equipment; essentially only the human eye is needed. The notes below assume that a single observer is on watch, though most of what is said is relevant to group observation. Organisation of a meteor watch by a group of observers is more complex, though potentially productive of much more useful data. The first requirement for the observer is to find a good dark site. Rural residents are favoured here. Urban lights, smog and haze have a major, adverse, impact on meteor rates. Hence, even if you have to drive some miles to get to a good site, it will be well worth the trouble to have darker skies. |
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