Astronomy Log

Last year after BBC Stargazing Live one of the most popular items was the Philips Planisphere, which Jonathan Ross used on the show to find the stars in the sky.

The Planisphere is the perfect tool for any amateur astronomer. It comes with full instructions on its use, so you can have a quick look at it and be out inspecting the night sky in only a few minutes.

The planisphere also explains how to find the major planets (Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn), sunrise and sunset as well as the positions of the constellations, season by season. Luckily, many of these instructions can be found on the back of the Planisphere itself (along with a Key to map symbols) so that you can always flip it over if you get stuck.

The Planisphere itself is sturdy, flexible and laminated so it won’t be affected by wet surfaces – which is useful if you find yourself outside and there’s a change in the weather. This makes it superior to any cardboard version.

Buy the Philip’s Planisphere from Amazon, makes a perfect Astronomy Gift for someone who wants to learn the night sky.

Philip’s Planisphere for British Isles, Northern Europe Northern USA and Canada

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s first manned space flight with a Gagarin t shirt.

The Vostok Capsule was essentially a 2.5m diameter sphere. The Vostok Rocket that it sat on was fuelled by very powerful but seriously noxious propellants: ammonium perchlorate, aluminium powder, and a polymer of butadiene as well as liquid oxygen and kerosene. A bomb by any other measure. Although Gagarin is on record as saying in his brief report that he had complete faith in Russian engineers and scientists.

Gagarin’s written report of the mission – there are thought to have only been one original and four carbon copies of the report – describes the view he was the first human to see: that of the Earth from space. Since then only about 500 human beings have witnessed similar views. Fewer than you might guess.

In his short report Gagarin remarks on the speed of the switch from light to the complete shade of the earth and the switch back again as well as the extraordinary detail of the shadows of clouds and the the geological features of the ground he was passing over. Stunning and momentous stuff for everyone at the time.

Perhaps more incredible is that fact that eight short years later Neil Armstrong stepped onto the Moon. A demonstration of the power of competition.

Celebrate a life changing event and a brave human being wear a Yuri Gagarin and Vostok Rocket or Capsule t shirt.

Buy your Space T-Shirts here

Here is a great gift for someone this Christmas, The Wonders of the Solar System DVD by Brian Cox.

This astronomy/space series was originally shown on the BBC.

It is presented by Professor Brian Cox, the series takes time to investigate the solar system around us, and the many natural beauties contained within it. Across the episodes, Cox covers the likes of planets themselves, the rings of Saturn, the question of whether we’re alone in the universe, and the sun itself.

What lifts Wonders Of The Solar System above the many shows that have tackled the subject before, however, are two factors. Firstly, it’s Cox himself, an enthused and interesting host, who explains things well and really helps make accessible the material. Secondly, it’s the utterly stunning visuals. The BBC has mixed in CGI along with images sent directly from space to quite breathtaking effect.

The series contains five episodes, each of which focuses on an aspect of the Solar System and features a ‘wonder’.

There are 5 episodes on the DVD:

1-Empire of the sun
A great introduction to the series that illustrates how the formation and behavior of the Sun affects each planet in the Solar System .The graphics of the formation of the sun are truly spectacular.

2-Order Out of Chaos
The second episode explores the Rings of Saturn and explains their differences and the effect of gravity on their formation. The pictures from Cassini add a wonderful touch to the stunning graphics.

3-The Thin Blue Line
The third episode looks at the atmosphere of Earth and that of Titan moon in Saturn. A very relevant program that touches on how fragile is our existence and how much we own to our atmosphere.

4-Dead or Alive
The fourth episode looks at the size of planets, volcanoes, and the moon Io ,and how size and position in the solar system determines if live can develop in a planet. The images form the Erta Ale volcano in Ethiopia are a great example of the conditions in other places of the solar system.

5-Aliens
The program covers life surviving in extreme environments in our planet, and how the search for life on other planets follows the search for water. This last episode is the most interesting of them all as it asks a couple of very interesting questions ,Are we alone in the Universe ? What if we are ? What if we aren’t ?

This series is available on both standard DVD and on high definition Blu Ray disks.

The DVD is available now from Amazon UK

Just found this on my travels of the web, amazing – a brilliant Lego Space Shuttle on it’s launch pad.

This is what all astronomers really want for Christmas, forget all that boring astronomy equipment, more gloves, scarves and hats, we want to sit in the warm of an evening and build something like this Lego Space Shuttle model.

We don’t want a proper model to make either, we don’t want the mess of glue getting everywhere, then you have to paint the grey plastic panels of traditional models. Plus you might vcut yourself with the stanley knife whilst cutting out plastic pieces, and when you are finished the model never looks anything like it does on the box.

With the Lego Space Shuttle model it’s easy and there is no mess! What a great way to commemorate the end of life of the space shuttle by having this Lego model.

Here is some information on the Lego Space Shuttle:

Standing 17.5″ (44cm) tall and 10″ (25.5cm) from wing tip to wing tip, this detailed and realistic space shuttle is ready to count down and blast off on its next exciting mission into space! You can take off from the launch pad, separate the detachable fuel tank and booster rockets, and deploy the satellite with unfolding antenna and solar cell panels. Shuttle model features realistic engines, retractable landing gear, an opening cockpit with seats for 2 astronauts, opening cargo compartment with a crane that can hold the satellite and a ground maintenance vehicle. Includes 3 minifigures: 1 male and 1 female astronaut, as well as 1 service crew member.

• Includes 3 minifigures: 1 male and 1 female astronaut as well as 1 service crew member
  Shuttle stands 17.5″ (44cm) tall and measures 10″ (25.5cm) from wing tip to wing tip
• Take off from the launch pad
• Separate the detachable fuel tank and booster rockets
• Deploy the satellite with unfolding antenna and solar cell panels
• Features realistic engines, retractable landing gear, opening cockpit with seats for 2 astronauts and even a ground maintenance vehicle
• Open the cargo compartment to reveal the crane that can hold the satellite

The Lego Space Shuttle is available direct from the UK Lego Store online for about £79

The Celestron 114LCM Computerised Telescope is a 114mm or 4.5 inch telescope with a focal length of  1m or 100cm. It is a Newtonian reflector type telescope.

The Celestron 114LCM telescope automatically locates the wonders of the universe with its motorized system & on board computer! The Celestron 114 has fully coated glass optics which reveal the depths of our solar system and the wonders of the Universe.

Buy the Celestron 114LCM here from The Science Museum Shop

Adjust the angle of the telescope with the fully adjustable tripod and convenient accessory tray. It’s easy to use computerized hand control allows user to locate objects at the touch of a button.

The High quality 114mm Newtonian reflector gives you a clear view and with the built on StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects so you won’t miss a thing.

This is a great telescope for the beginner but with advanced features such as computerised alignment and go-to functionality. The telescope once aligned on a few stars can show you thousands of objects once you select them via the handset.

The Celestron 114LCM telescope will show you a lot of the major items in the sky, including excellent moon and planet views as well as deep sky objects, star clusters, galaxies and a lot more.

Buy the Celestron 114LCM here from The Science Museum Shop

114LCM Product Features:

• High quality 114 mm (4.5″) reflector
• Quick-release computerized base, optical tube and accessory tray for quick no tool set up
• Database allows telescope to locate over 4,000 celestial objects
• Lightweight Computerized Mount
• Includes CD-ROM “The Sky” Astronomy Software which provides education about the sky and printable sky maps
• SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process
• Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet
• Internal battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during use
• Compatible with optional NexRemote telescope control software, for advanced control of your telescope via computer

Buy the Celestron 114LCM here from The Science Museum Shop

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.