The Telescope was introduced to the world 400 years ago.
Late in September, 1608, Hans Lipperhey applied for a patent on the telescope in the Netherlands. WIthin a few weeks, others also apllied for the patent. It was denied because the consensus, by the States-General in The Hague, was that it was too easy to copy. Indeed, these first telescopes used nothing more than 2 spectacle lenses from eyeglass makers and magnified just 3x. During the short time that the patent was considered, a Dutch peddler started selling telescopes at the annual autumn fair at Frankfurt, just 300 miles away. And, news of the invention spread very quickly through diplomatic channels. By the Spring of 1609, these low-powered instruments were being sold by spectacle makers in Paris. But, the invention of the telescope was going to change the world forever. A professor of mathmatics, from Italy, got wind of the invention during the Spring of 1609 and by the end of the year, had improved the scope by increasing its ability to magnify, first to 9x, then to 20x and finally, in early January of 1610, to 30x. It was not increasing the magnification of the telescope that made him famous, but the book he wrote, published in March of 1610, describing the things he saw in the heavens. He became an international sensation and one of the most known scientists all time- He was Galileo Galilei.
A replica of a telescope produced by Galileo (he employed crafts people to make these telescopes) that was sent out to scholars and nobleman to help them verify his observations of the heavens, as noted in his book, the Sideral Messenger. This book described the mountain and plains on the Moon, the movement of the 4 moon around Jupiter and much more. About 60 telescopes were made for this purpose.
Questions about the Sky or Astronomy? • • • Need Telescope Advice?
If you have a question about astronomy or
would like advice on buying a telescope or accessories,
please email me at ASTROINFO.
No charge, no obligation, no hassles.
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NOVEMBER SKY
First Quarter: Wednesday, November 5 — Full Moon: Thursday, November 13
Last Quarter: Wednesday, November 19 — New Moon: Thursday, November 27
Location of Planets when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Venus is low in the southwest sky and sets about an hour after it first gets dark. It is the brightest "star" in the early evening sky.
Jupiter is lower in the southern sky in Sagittarius and will be the second brightest "star" in the sky after Venus.
Saturn rises about 2 am due east near the back feet of Leo the Lion.
Mars is not visible because it is close to the Sun.
Constellations visible when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Rising in the east: Taurus
At the southern horizon: Piscis Austrinus
At the top of the sky: Pegasus
Setting in the west : Ophiuchus
Clock position of the bowl of the Big Dipper when it first gets dark is 7:00 o'clock.
Meteor Shower: The Taurids occur between November 5-12. During this shower, 5 meteors per hour can be seen.
Want a really nice star chart of the night sky
that also details celestial events?
Visit SkyMaps. |
Great Astronomy Sites to Visit
Astronomy magazine
Sky & Telescope magazine
SkyNews in Canada
Space.com
NASA
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Lunar Picture of the Day
Satellite Tracking
Rainbows & other neat things in the sky
Daily Sunspot Count & other Space Weather (comets plus)
Spacecraft Mission Sites
Images from the Hubble Space Telescope that orbits Earth
Rovers on Mars • Spirit and Opportunity
Phoenix Mars Mission to analyze soil for life
Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn
Messenger spacecraft going to Mercury
New Horizons spacecraft going to Pluto
Questions? • • • Need Telescope Advice?
If you have a question about astronomy or
would like advice on buying a telescope or accessories,
please email me at ASTROINFO.
No charge, no obligation, no hassles.
|
DECEMBER SKY
First Quarter: Friday, November 5 — Full Moon: Friday, November 12
Last Quarter: Friday, November 19 — New Moon: Saturday, November 27
Location of Planets when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Venus is low in the southwest sky and sets about 2 hours after it first gets dark. It is the brightest "star" in the early evening sky.
Jupiter is very low in the southwest sky and sets before Venus.
Saturn rises about midnight due east near the back feet of Leo the Lion.
Mars is not visible because it is close to the Sun.
Constellations visible when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Rising in the east: Orion
At the southern horizon: Sculptor
At the top of the sky: Pegasus
Setting in the west : Aquila
Clock position of the bowl of the Big Dipper when it first gets dark is 6:00 o'clock.
Meteor Shower: The Geminids peak around December 14. During this shower, 120 meteors per hour can be seen. There is a smaller shower called the Ursids that peaks around December 22nd and displays about 10 meteors per hours
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Astronomy Books & Star Charts
Ken Press publishes a series of popular
star charts and
beginning astronomy books
for adults and children. Click here for product info.
Click here for a
PDF brochure.
Contact Ken Press at (520) 743-3200 or email.
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Finally, Science Fiction that has real science!
“Time-driven as it is, Moonquake is a fast-paced story
that is never boring. The author is very effective at mixing technological issues with human narratives. Fans of hard science fiction will eat this up like addictive candy.”
—Ben Nault, President, Tucson L5 Space Society, Moon Society, Tucson Outpost
Moonquake
by Dr. Alan Binder
328 pages. $7.99. Ken Press. Paperback.
Read Chapter Excerpt
Orders: (520) 743-3200.
Signed copies available.
ORDER TODAY
A SCIENCE-FICTION novel by Dr. Alan B. Binder who was the catalyst and brains behind the Lunar Prospector space mission to the Moon. He is the noted discoverer of water at the lunar poles. In this, his first science fiction novel, NASA has blown it again with another shuttle disaster. They are put on a short leash to establish the first lunar base. But, it is difficult for a moving behemoth to change direction. As might be expected, the moonbase does not meet the approval of everyone involved. Normally this might be okay but space is fraught with many unknowns and dangers so it is better to err on the side of robustness than “adequate.” Things get shaken up a bit and there is a race to avoid death.
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Children's Star Chart
This is the chart that appears in the May 2007 issue of
Family Fun Magazine.
The David H. Levy Guide to the Stars Children's Star chart is an inexpensive way to introduce youngsters to the night sky. This quality star chart is printed in color and made of durable coated card stock paper. The back is loaded with information including Moon facts, Meteor Showers, Space History, Binocular Objects and additional instructions. Price is $4 each (shipping is $4 for 1, 2 or 3 and $7 for 4 or more). To order, Click Here for instructions.
Click on image below to enlarge.
Bargain Hunters
Ken Press has a limited number of slightly damaged books and star charts for sale.
To order, call (520) 743-3200. Prices are as follows:
What's Out Tonight (1). Retail $39.95/Two pages torn out. $12 shipped
The Next Step (2). Retail $29.95/Like New, $15 shipped
The Next Step (1). Retail $29.95/Spine slanted, $10 shipped
Touring the Universe (5) . Retail $27.95/ Look used, $14 shipped
Student's Guide to the Stars (2). Retail $4/Damaged $1
Check out our new Atlas of the Heavens. Available Fall 2008.
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