phl@drusd.UUCP (LavettePH) (01/25/85)
I think I'm posting this way too soon, but since the news people seem to be
rushing into the subject ahead of time, why not? It's intended for the inter-
ested non-astronomer who might be reading this group to find out what's going
on with all this fuss about comets.
The best Comet Halley locator for the non-astronomer who could care less about
right ascension and declination is probably Abrams' Sky Calendar. For a $5.00
donation you get a monthly 8 1/2" x 11" calendar page that is blocked out like
an appointment calendar. Each day's block shows some celestial event for that
morning or evening along with enough sky detail to properly locate it. The page
also has some basic planetary info and the backside has a simplified sky-dome
for the month. Abrams will also be sending out poop sheets on the comet. You get
four quarterly mailings well in advance of when you need them.
I've seen these little daily blocks printed in some newspapers but then you have
to go out *that* night. Getting the dope in advance is a real advantage.
Two things to keep in mind:
1. If all you want is to look at Halley, you don't have to do anything. The
papers will be full of stuff *next year* when viewing becomes practical.
There is no need to jump the gun like the news media seems to have done.
2. If you want to enjoy some of the wonders of nature while you wait, SKY
CALENDER is a good start.
All things considered, I think this is a good buy for any interested novice.
It's also a great assist in locating and identifying the morning and evening
planets.
Write: SKY CALENDAR
Abrams Planetarium
Michigan State University Don't forget the $5.00.
East Lansing, Michigan
48824-1324
Now if I can find a way to convince people who ask me about those 900X, 2-inch
discount house refractors that they are buying nothing but eyestrain and a big
disappointment, I can get back to M42. (Brrrrr!) The fine points of optical
theory,relative brightness and resolution are completely lost on the uninitiated
and when I tell them they would be better off with their 7 x 35 binocs they look
at me strangely. When forced to the wall for a recommendation for a scope "for
the kids", I've been suggesting the ASTROSCAN. A good used one would be a good
start for "the kids". The thing's damn near indestructible as well as having
optics that don't pull your eyeball out of its socket after a few minutes. The
real problem is how to get through to the uninitiated that, no matter how much
they spend for a scope, they aren't going to see anything like the photographs
that will be published in the evening's paper. A couple of times I've offered
to demonstrate my scopes for people but they seem a little reluctant to join me
in the back yard, recently. Has anybody found the right words?
I think we owe the ill-informed a little help before "comet-fever" stampedes
them into some costly mistakes buying the inevitable junk that is going to
start showing up on the market later this year. How about it?
- Phil