Astronomy Log

One of the best series on astronomy and the solar system for me has been The Universe from the History Channel. It is now available as a standard DVD and in Blu-Ray High Definition format.

There are currently 2 series you can buy, the first series is on 3 DVDs and so you get 600 mins of programmes. The 2nd series is even longer on 5 DVDs running for 842 minutes.

The second series of The Universe includes episodes: Alien Planets, Cosmic Holes, Mysteries of the Moon, The Milky Way, Alien Moons, Dark Matter, Astrobiology, Space Travel, Supernovas, Constellations, Unexplained Mysteries, Cosmic Collisions and Colonizing Space.

The Universe DVD series makes a perfect gift for any astronomer, space enthusiast or for educational use.

The Universe DVDs are available here.

The Apollo 11 Manual by Haynes really caught my idea when reading the December 2009 edition of The Sky at Night magazine.

What a great and very unique gift for an astronomer, the acutal intricate manual to the Apollo 11 spacecraft in a Haynes style book.

This manual looks at the evolution and design of the mighty Saturn V rocket, the Command and Service Modules, and the Lunar Module. It describes the space suits worn by the crew and their special life support systems.

The book also tells you about how the Apollo 11 mission was flown – from launch procedures to ‘flying’ the Saturn V and the ‘LEM’, and from moon walking to the earth re-entry procedure.

Perfect for any astronomer or someone interested in space flight.

Buy the Haynes Apollo 11 Manual from Amazon with Free Delivery.

Get up to speed with the Apollo Saturn V, the American rocket that blasted the three lunar explorers to the Moon.

This stunning Revell 1:96 scale replica is a life-like model that includes launch platform and supports, plus four paints, double ended brush and precision applicator glue for detailed decoration.

What a great model for someone this Christmas. I know it would take me quite a while to complete this model, probably last all Christmas into the New Year.

Buy the Saturn V Model Rocket

If you are interested in this type of space model, then there are lots of others in the Revell model range including:

• Apollo Spacecraft and Interior
• Apollo Columbia and Eagle
• Apollo Astronaut
• Eagle Lunar Module Model 

I found the Celestron FirstScope whilst on my travels around the web, and it looks like a well built mini tabletop telescope. It’s actually a mini Dobsian Reflector Telescope with a 76mm aperture and a focal length of 30cm.

The write up says: “The FirstScope is a wonderful keepsake for anyone interested in astronomy. This quality Dobsonian style telescope features a 76 mm aperture reflector optical tube. The compact design makes it easy enough to take with you on your next outdoor adventure. FirstScope is also stylish enough to be a decorative fixture on your bookshelf or desk”.

Celestron FirstScope Features:

• High quality Dobsonian style stand with a 76 mm reflector optical tube make FirstScope an ideal entry level astronomical telescope.
• Portable and lightweight table-top design makes it easy to store, transport and setup your FirstScope Telescope
• FirstScope is very easy to observe with, the user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of their desired object.
• Stylish and decorative design makes FirstScope a wonderful keepsake for anyone interested in astronomy.

Official Product of International Year of Astronomy 2009!

Named Official Product of International Year of Astronomy 2009, FirstScope pays tribute to the men and women who brought us one step closer to understanding the universe around us!

In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come. Four centuries later, in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, Celestron offers the portable FirstScope Telescope. The FirstScope pays tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of history’s most notable astronomers and scientists by displaying their names around the optical tube. We honor the contributions of these men and women, who brought us one step closer to understanding the universe around us.

FirstScope Specifications

Optical Design: Dobsonian Reflector
Aperture: 76 mm (2.99 in)
Focal Length: 300 mm (11.81 in)
Focal Ratio: 3.95
Eyepiece 1: 20 mm (0.79 in)
Magnification 1: 15 x
Eyepiece 2: 4 mm (0.16 in)
Magnification 2: 75 x
Weight: 1956.12 g

FirstScope Warranty

2 Years

You can buy the Celestron FirstScope at MyMemory for £54.99 inc Free Delivery.

The official print sales website of the Science Museum, National Railway Museum and National Media Museum is now online, and it incorporates the Royal Photographic Society Collection.

Currently there are 40,000 images to choose from in a range of sizes and finishes. Categories include Astronomy, Natural History, Vintage Posters, Rail Transport, Road Transport, Water Transport, Aeronautic Prints, War, Sports and more.

You have the choice of how you would like to buy the print. You can have the print on it’s own, or have it framed, or have it turned into a canvas and even have the canvas framed.

There are over 60 pages of Astronomy prints on the website, last time I checked that equated to around 1,600 astronomy prints.

These are just some examples of the Astronomy Prints available:

There are images of the Moon, close up Saturn images, Galaxies, historical astronomy prints of telescopes and NASA missions, Solar Eclipses, Lunar Eclipses, Astronomy Buildings etc. There is something for everyone.

Any of these Astronomy prints would make a great astronomy gift for an avid astronomer, maybe something to hang up in your observatory or your house.

View the complete Astronomy Print range now at SSPL.

If you ever want to use your GoTo telescope on location then you’ll need a 12v power source.

Maplin have their Portable Jump Start and Air Compressor on offer until the end of December 2008 for just £19.99 – perfect for powering your telescope.

The perfect gift for the astronomer in your family, plus it will always do lots of other jobs around the house such as pump up tyres or jump start your car battery as well.

The original price was £44.99, so now you can save £25! Order your Battery here now!

Maplin Telescope Battery Specifications:

• Up to 400A cranking power
• 12V power supply output – ideal for spotlights, car vacuums, portable fridges etc
• 200psi compressor for inflating car and cycle tyres, inflatable toys etc.
• Unit houses a sealed 17Ah battery with meter to show battery charge
• Built-in light for emergencies
• Complete with heavy duty jump leads, mains power supply and car cigarette lead

Get someone you love, preferably an astronomer, a subscription to Sky at Night magazine. The magazine comes with a CD packed full of interactive goodies every month as well as a magazine which includes astronomy news, how to’s, in-depth articles and my favourite – astronomy adverts!

The cheapest place to buy a subscription online is with Magazine Group, who currently have the subscription for:

6 months Sky at Night Magazine : £17.80

12 months Sky at Night Magazine : £35.75

That works out to be about £3 a magazine including delivery, instead of the shop price of £4.25

I attended my first Star Party the other week and both the hosts of the party used green laser pointers to point out which celestial objects we were actually looking at through the telescopes and on the large projection screen.

The green laser pointers were amazing and the beam of light went all the way through the sky to the object, which made it look like the beam was actually touching the stars!

So I decided to get myself a green laser pointer, I chose a Revelation Green Laser Pointer from Telescope Planet, it arrived quickly and came in a presentation metal box and it included 2x AAA batteries as well as instructions.

The laser pointer has a 5 mW output and has a beam range of over 12,000 ft. The unit is of very high quality and a great present for any astronomer, especially at the price of around £30.

The laser pointer can also be used in conjunction with a universal bracket which can be fitted to most telescopes which allows the laser pointer to be used as a very capable finderscope.

You can buy the green laser pointer from Telescope Planet here.

Looking for an unusal gift for someone? How about Astronaut Food? You can get Strawberries and Neopolitan Ice Cream.

Now you can eat the same food Nasa Astronauts eat on space missions. The foil sachets contain freeze dried strawberries or ice cream which last almost indefinitely, making them suitable for long space flights.

As they are eaten, saliva in the mouth re-hydrates the ultra-light chunks, returning them to their original state. Just Pop a Strawberry one in your mouth and it swells up magically to a full size fully flavoured succulent fruit. Brilliant for parties, perhaps Star Parties!

Each Astronaut Food packet is £2.99, you can buy the Strawberries Astronaut Food here and buy the Neopolitan Ice Cream Astronaut Food here.

 Does your child dream of beng an astronaut with NASA? Well I found these Astronaut costumes for kids on the web in Orange and in White.

“Take one giant leap for mankind in our astronaut flight suit costumes! These high-quality flight suits are replicas of those worn by the astronauts and NASA flight crews, and feature chest and waist harness buckles, padded neck collar ring, and matching custom embroidered NASA vector cap”.

What great fun for kids for dress-ups, fancy dress parties – your very own spaceman costume.

They look really good and they fit ages 4-8 years old. They cost £35 from The Science Museum store.

There are sizes for 4-6 year olds, and then 6-8 year old sizes.

Buy a Kids Astronaut Costume here.