How do I love thee...

AutumnRocks

Shared on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 22:56

For Christmas I received a pair of Galileo 12x50 binoculars. They are wonderful. I have only been able to star-gaze a few times since unwrapping them due to poor weather conditions and the like, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the times I have been able to peek through them. Of course I have peered at Orion and the Seven Sisters (or Pleiades as Doorgunner uses the technical words), I have also taken some looks at Cassiopeia and her bouncing Hubbs, Cepheus. But tonight I got a chance to look at the most beautiful object in the sky: The Moon. It was huge tonight and bursting with light, I had to! It was the closest I'd ever seen it, and it was amazing. I didn't quite know what to expect, but it was truly blissful. I could make out the maria and terrae so clearly!

It absolutely, positively, without a doubt made my entire evening.

That's all. I just wanted to share.

Comments

doorgunnerjgs's picture
Submitted by doorgunnerjgs on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 01:02
Cool! The best way to use them is to lie back on a recliner or even make a stand to hold them (there are some real neat plans available). The moon is awesome thru binocs. Interesting (to me) story. Up in the far northwest part of the moon on the northern edge of Sinus Iridum is a fairly large crater called Bianchini named after Francesco Bianchini, an Italian astronomer from the early 1700's. We had a neighbor named Bianchini that I gave a picture to for his father. They were unaware of the crater and thought it was a great gift! Enjoy the sights, they will only get better!
char's picture
Submitted by char on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 07:39
That's so cool Autumn, and what a nice way to enjoy the evening. I love names like that...Cassiopeia....Cepheus...just great! I use to do this with my Grandpa. I forgot how much fun I had as a child. I think I'll ask him to set it up for my next visit. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of this. Here's to stars in your eyes = )
AutumnRocks's picture
Submitted by AutumnRocks on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 08:07
@DG-That is so cool! I would be super impressed if I found out one day there was a crater on the moon with my name attached to it! Not to mention the conversation starters are a plus..."So, my name is on the moon..." :D @Char-I love the Greek names too! I have always been fascinated by mythology and the stars. I wish I were smart enough to get into astronomy as a profession, but alas, math is not my fortay. That's okay, though, I am not going to let that stop me from having a good hobby of star-gazing!
jquack's picture
Submitted by jquack on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 20:59
My dad has this telescope that is motorized with a computer readout. You can set your coordinates and then tell it to find certain stars. We saw the rings of saturn one night. Soooooo freaking cool.

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