lumpy darkness

Observation notes (with equipment details), photos, sketches, reviews, random thoughts, from my amateur astronomy sessions.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

what's up for the year

If you're like me, you need to see "the big picture." Usually over the winter months, I start sketching out my plans for the whole year. For example, I try to tie camping trips to good night skies.

In the past, I directly maintained a "calendar" on this page. It was essentially a top-down listing of events for the year, divided by each month. Which I would update from time to time, adding new items, and striking out past events.

Never really was satisfied with this format and style. More importantly, it didn't work for me: it was not push. I want something in my face, I want something on my regularly used computer(s), I want something that will catch my eye. You too?!

So, now, today, I use a combination of technologies. I maintain a set of events in a Yahoo!Calendar; I use a Yahoo!Widget to monitor this calendar. It works great. I'm much more dialled into events happening now. For significant events, I make the calendar e-mail me reminders!

Why not regularly view my shared Yahoo!Calendar. It supports Day, Week, Month, List, and other views.

http://ca.calendar.yahoo.com/lumpydarkness@rocketmail.com

It is written specifically for the south-western Ontario locale.

 

 

 

Thursday, February 4, 2010

sources

I gather information about upcoming astronomical events from a variety of sources.

  • RASC Observer's Handbook (annual)
  • RASC calendar (annual)
  • Stan Shadick's Skywatchers calendar (annual)
  • The Evening Sky Map from SkyMaps.com (monthly)
  • SkyNews magazine (bi-monthly)
  • Eric Briggs of the RASC Toronto Centre
  • Gary Boyle of the RASC
  • Dave Mitsky's Celestial Calendar in StarryNights Yahoo!Group
  • etc.

 

 

 

 

 

links

    lumpy darkness sites:
    blog proper
    lists home
   
    telescopes:
    my cat
    Mom's newt
    accessories
   
    life lists:
    planets, moons, etc.
    constellations
    notable stars
    double stars
    Messier objects
    other deep sky objects
  eclipses
  occultations
   
    other lists:
    Greek alphabet in HTML
    judging angular size
    atlases, books, software
(*)   what's up for the year
    meteor showers
    with just your eyes
   
    web site links:
    magazines
    sky conditions
    science and research
    double stars sites
    retail stores
    clubs and associations
    DIY observatories
    miscellaneous