Author: Greg Davis

Longtime DAS Member and Chief Observer Jack Eastman traveled to Poplar Bluff, Missouri via Texas, courtesy of his friend and caregiver Dave Zielsdorf, to see the April 8 solar eclipse. Jack took his antique 3.5″ Alvan Clark & Sons telescope (circa 1870), using the Herschel wedge to make projections during the partial phases, then doing direct observations through it during the total phase.… Continue reading.

This article is distributed by NASA’s Night Sky Network (NSN).

The NSN program supports astronomy clubs across the USA dedicated to astronomy outreach. Visit nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov to find local clubs, events, and more!

Participate in Eclipse Science

By Kat Troche

April is NASA’s Citizen Science Month, and there is no shortage of projects available.… Continue reading.

David H. Levy

As I am writing this April 2024 edition of Skyward, in less than a month there will be a total eclipse of the Sun. The Moon’s great shadow will trace a path across North America, including the United States, and Eastern Canada.… Continue reading.

By Mike Hotka

Over the past few months, I have shared my observing process with you. This process is what I use today to plan, execute and record my observing outings.

A simple way to get started observing is to find a pre-made list of objects to observe and then, one by one, check the objects you observe off this list.… Continue reading.

by David H. Levy

In the autumn of 1976, my first, “practice wife” and I visited Safed in northern Israel. In addition to being shown a 400-year-old Torah, we were introduced to the idea that Jewish mysticism, known as “Kabbalah”, got its start and flourished there.… Continue reading.

This article is distributed by NASA’s Night Sky Network (NSN).

The NSN program supports astronomy clubs across the USA dedicated to astronomy outreach. Visit nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov to find local clubs, events, and more!

By Kat Troche

Winter in the northern hemisphere offers crisp, clear (and cold!)… Continue reading.

David H. Levy

This month I have a story to tell.  A few nights ago two close friends from Plattsburgh, Ed Guenther and Wendy Gordon, enjoyed a very pleasant wintertime visit with me. During that time another close friend, David Rossetter, drove us to the Chiricahua Astronomy Complex in southeastern Arizona.… Continue reading.

By Mike Hotka

In this continuing series of articles, I want to discuss contingency plans. When I am having trouble with my smart phone, you will often hear me say, “Technology is wonderful when it works!”. Those of us who are engineers, can make a living figuring out why specific technology is not working and getting it fixed for the end user.… Continue reading.

By Mike Hotka

At the end of last month’s article, I left you driving home from your observing location after a successful night of observing. Now I’ll discuss what I do after I get home. I have a few more tasks to do before I consider this observing session complete.… Continue reading.

This article is distributed by NASA’s Night Sky Network (NSN).

The NSN program supports astronomy clubs across the USA dedicated to astronomy outreach. Visit nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov to find local clubs, events, and more!

By Kat Troche

In our December Night Sky Notes, we mentioned that the Orion constellation has a distinct hourglass shape that makes it easy to spot in the night sky.… Continue reading.