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The May Galaxy Hunt Continues
Leo’s Trio I decided to escape the Oshkosh Light Dome Sunday and drove about five miles west to a country road. Multiple astronomy Apps promised fine conditions but it wasn’t as clear or transparent as forecast. What else is new? It was quiet as dark settled over that country road in Winnebago County; the only…
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May Means M51
Friday night on May 3rd revealed mostly brighter stars in the sky over our home on the south side of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. At this time of year, viewed from 44 degrees north latitude, Ursa Major, aka the Big Dipper, is virtually overhead. I took advantage of the clear night and set up the SeeStar S50…
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The Ten Tenets of Amateur Astronomy
Six decades ago, I fell into the splendid misery of amateur astronomy. Along the way, certain natural and human patterns seem repetitious. I’ve identified 10 of them. If you have more, add them in the comments. Of Note The house fire mentioned in the 10 Tenets of Amateur Astronomy thankfully caused no injury to anyone.…
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Dark Day in Doniphan
We rolled into Doniphan, Missouri about two hours before the April 8 eclipse shadow darkened the highway town of about 2,000 people. We found an empty parking lot behind the Doniphan Baptist Church and waited for the shadow. The sky was spring blue, with sprigs of altocumulus clouds the only visible threats to photographic clarity.…
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Three Photos From March 28
If you’re reading this on Monday, April 1, we’re one week away from a potentially spectacular celestial event. Whether you are able to see the solar eclipse on April 8 depends on where you are and what portions of earth are covered by clouds on the afternoon of the day. The path of totality sweeps…