01/10/10

Astronomy has become responsible for much of what has happened in my life during the past ten years.  Meetings, observing sessions, computers, software, travel, camping, and endless planning all fall into the astronomy category.  My wife Sandy and I met several years ago at a star party.  The majority of my current friends are amateur astronomers, most of them much more experienced than I will ever be!!

We are fortunate to own several fantastic telescopes.  Sandy's is a 12.5" Starmaster, and mine is a 15" Discovery.  In October 2007, we added a 22" Telekit to our collection.  All three of these telescopes are Dobsonian type and have the ServoCAT system for goto and tracking.

The local club for Central Indiana is the Indiana Astronomical Society.  Check out their web page and download a copy of the monthly newsletter (The Bulletin) at: www.iasindy.org  Another club in the area that does a LOT of public outreach programs is the Stonebelt Stargazers.

A very important astronomical group is the Astronomical League.  This national level group represents the amateur astronomer, and has several observing "clubs".  Entrance into these "clubs" is earned by meeting certain criteria --- usually observing and logging items on a list.  All of the clubs are challenging and are set at differing levels of experience.  Download one of the lists and try it out --- my bet is that you will enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.  The absolute worse thing is that you will learn more about the different types of objects in our sky!  http://www.astroleague.org

Everybody is welcome at any of the observing events.  Check out either the IAS schedule in the newsletter, or come and see us at any of the star parties in the area.

Here is one of central Indiana's Clear Sky Clocks, showing what the conditions are predicted to be for observing.