As I
developed more advanced observing guides, it hit me that
it would be great to have some resources for those
who just completed the Messier list and wanted to see
more. A great next step is the Herschel 400, then the
Herschel 400 - Part II. So there is something for
everyone with 6" to 48" telescopes. If you have a
large telescope and are tired of seeing the same
"bright" objects over and over again, running out of
objects to observe, or like to be challenged. Take a
look at the guides I made available for you by clicking
on Observing Guides or Downloadable Observing Guides
under For Large Telescopes. Or if you are a
beginner or intermediate observer with a 6 - 10"
telescope, look under For Smaller Telescopes. Check out my
Observing Reports link to see a sampling of what you can
see through a large telescope. I hope it encourages you
to go out and observe. --- Update (2024): We refreshed
most of the Downloadable Observing Guides. The
following contains more than a refresh. The
revision history lists the detailed update history.
Scroll down a little bit to see a few
photos I took of the total solar eclipse from my
backyard. It was a surreal event. It may
be surprising to some of you, but this is the first
one I've seen. I never traveled nor chased a
total solar eclipse. However, I planned to go to the
Oregon Star Party for the 2017 total eclipse, but I
got sick and couldn't make it. 30" Starmaster f/4 reflector at Golden State Star Party 2008 The reflector in the background is my 22" f/4 reflector My 22" f/4 reflector at one of our observing sites in the high Sierras at elevation of 7,800 feet. --- 2024 Total Solar Eclipse over Texas Hill Country Taken with a 4" f/11 refractor Corona @ 1/30 sec Corona with solar prominence @ 1/125 sec Another @ 1/125 sec Some prominence detail @ 1/200 sec |