If this is your first night outside, looking at the stars, there are a few things you can do make the experience much more enjoyable. First, make sure you put your telescope outside for a while to acclimatize. Telescopes have metal bodies, glass and mirrors. These items hold onto heat very well. At about –10°C …
Tips and hints and other good things: Get ready to enjoy the Yukon night skies Read More »
Living in the North has many advantages. We have crystal clear skies, no air pollution and many hours of darkness in the winter season. This adds up to excellent opportunities for viewing and taking pictures of the Northern Lights. Another great advantage of living in the North is the extremely dry air. In humid parts …
Keep warm, stay watching: Winter star gazing is fun, but you have to know how Read More »
It would seem that winter is here in full force, bringing icy cold temperatures that chill you to the bone, unless you are prepared for the onslaught. Are you prepared? Is your observing equipment ready to go out in the frosty Yukon deep winter night for another evening of observing? I have recently received multiple …
The hobby of astronomy has always been an art form of simplicity and function. Let’s face it, when starting out in astronomy, the task of getting great views and being comfortable at the same time can seem quite daunting. It is dark out and you are usually bundled up in winter clothing. This, and little …
I have always found that the hobby of astronomy is filled with unexpected surprises. Some are good and some are bad. Take for example the last full lunar eclipse. A quick setup is all-important because the moon will be rising in eclipse mode. The evening sky is full of cloud and there are little or …
Spring is on the way and that means it is time once again for the Messier Marathon. What is the Messier Marathon you ask? The Messier Marathon is named after Charles Messier, a French astronomer in the middle 1700s, who preferred to hunt comets. While hunting for these elusive icy snowballs, Charles kept bumping into …
The month of April is at a close and, as May begins, great changes are taking place high overhead in the amazing Yukon Night Skies. It is a time of discovery and exploration with an endless supply of cosmic jewels that can be easily seen with a little bit of careful planning and preparation. For …
The sky is clear and I do not have to work tomorrow. At about 6 p.m., I put my gear out and start to get things prepared for an evening of galaxy hunting; it is, after all, the best time to go hunting for these elusive fuzzy little patches of light. My plan is simple, …
Every amateur astronomer’s dream is to have totally dark skies, right in their own backyard. No time spent loading all your telescopes, binoculars, tables and gearboxes into your vehicle; just to unload all your gear as you set up at your favourite observing site. Finally, when it is time to go home, you still have …
Astronomy and a love for the night sky travels with a person no matter where you go or what you do. In our younger years of life, we have all the time and energy to explore the great cosmos. As a young adult, the real world of responsibilities (careers and children and all that stuff) …
Four hundred years ago (actually in 1609), Galileo gazed up into the night sky with a new invention called the telescope. He was the first person do this and to record his observations. Now, by today’s standards, it really was not much of a telescope. All the same, he observed and recorded an amazing amount …
With the middle of winter upon us, the Yukon Night Sky is alive with amazing sights for the cosmic tourist. Dark skies and stable air makes for excellent opportunities to explore and discover this vast universe around us. From galaxies and nebulas, to star clusters and planets, there is an abundance of deep sky treasures …
Every once in awhile, the universe and karma come together in some truly spectacular ways. So here is my story … so far. As most of you know by reading these columns, I am an avid fan of obtaining used astronomy equipment and attempting to restore them back to life. This is a great way …
The snow is flying, the sky is full of clouds and apparently this is the way it is to be for a while. What is a budding young Yukon amateur astronomer to do? This is a time to re-grease your telescope with winter grease and double check all your gear and make sure that everything …
The month of March and the Yukon Night Skies Star Party at Grey Mountain: these are exciting events that reminds us that spring is on the distant horizon. A star party is a great place to meet people who share a passion for the night skies and all of the celestial treasures that reside in …
Star Party, Yukon Style (Formal Attire Optional) Read More »
It is Friday evening, the sky is crystal clear and the temperature is a balmy –23 degrees. Add to that a 30-kilometre wind from the south, and you have a wind chill of –39 degrees. For most people this is a good time to stay indoors and sip a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. …
Let’s start today’s column with Comet Lulin, which is blazing its way across the Yukon Night Skies. This small and bright comet is really moving quickly across the night sky and can still be seen in binoculars. Moving steadily westward and heading from the constellation of Cancer into the constellation of Gemini. On March 5, …
Springtime night skies offer an endless bounty of galaxies, nebula and star clusters, waiting to be explored. Whether you prefer binoculars or a telescope, there is no other time of year when the night sky is so plentiful with deep-sky objects to observe. The problem, as always, is to have the weather co-operate with your …
Springtime is finally here and, along with it, unstable weather. Our last outing to Grey Mountain was a washout due to clouds and strong wind. This was to be expected because my mirror set has recently arrived from being tested, re-configured and with a fresh mirror coating. It is a well-known amateur-astronomy rule that if …
Finally, the weekend has arrived; hopefully, the weather will be clear. All the weather-information sources, including Whitehorse Clear Sky Clock and others, seem to agree that Saturday night should be great. Quickly, we send an astro-alert e-mail to let everyone know we are heading up to Grey Mountain Lookout point after 9 p.m. It is …
I was suffering from aperture fever and was craving bigger and better views … fortunately, my 14-inch Celestron Dobsonian telescope finally arrived. These telescopes offer the best-possible view for the dollar and are of a most simplistic design. There is a large primary mirror at the bottom and a much smaller secondary mirror and focuser …
The month of May is a time of furious activity for Northern amateur astronomers. We are closing in on the time when the night sky will soon disappear only to be replaced by our local star, the sun. The exciting part of this time of the year is that the temperature is warm and our …
This year it appears that we are going to have comets and asteroids aplenty for our viewing and photographic enjoyment. The first visitor was called a near earth asteroid, named, 2012 DA14. About 45 metres wide and probably made of rock, it passed over Indonesia only 27,500 kilometres from the surface of our planet on …
For Yukon amateur astronomers, time for viewing those amazing night skies will soon vanish, temporarily that is. At this time of year, as soon as it starts to get dark, dawn approaches shortly after. This means you have to be ready and have a list of targets to explore for the evening observing sessions. Being …
We are closing in on that time when visual astronomy is about over for the season. That does not mean there is nothing to do; on the contrary, we have to shift our cosmic interests a bit, to a more solar-system approach of things. Start with the easiest target in the sky, the Moon: there …
The month of May is over, and so is observing deep-sky objects such as nebulas and galaxies. The only stellar objects in the sky that are of interest to amateur astronomers are the moon, sun, Jupiter, Saturn and a handful of stars and clusters. Saturn is moving quickly toward the horizon and will soon disappear …
As the month of October closes and frosty November begins, the window of opportunity for observing Mars begins. This little red planet has captured everyone’s attention and curiosity. Is there life on Mars? and where are the Martians? The Earth and Mars share many similar traits such as the tilt to the planets’ axis, which …
The dominant planet in the evening sky is fascinating Jupiter. Located in the early-evening southern sky, it is easily recognizable because it is simply the brightest object in the sky. This giant of the solar system always has something for everyone to see. Even with binoculars you can see four of her orbiting moons. In …
This time of year I am frequently asked the same question: “What is the best gift for someone who wants to get into astronomy and wants to see more than what binoculars can offer?” A box store special telescope is a bad choice for a Christmas present. These telescopes are plagued with problems that are …
The next time you are outside at night, take a moment and look up at those dark Yukon Night Skies. High overhead you will see the constellation of Perseus, the Hero. This is the home of the infamous Double Cluster. People are always talking about the Double Cluster and looking at it. Why? Simply put, …
Another year is coming to a close and it is time to reflect on the great cosmic events we have seen, and all the fabulous people we have met on this galactic journey. Most people assume astronomy, as a hobby, is sitting all alone in a field with a telescope in the middle of nowhere. …
Welcome to nightlife in the Yukon night skies. For starters, let’s get acquainted with the night sky as we see it: directly overhead we find the familiar constellation of Auriga and Perseus. Auriga is the home to a triple shot of open star clusters that are easily seen in binoculars. Looking high overhead, we locate …
With all this wonderful warm weather, there is a price to pay for amateur astronomers in the Yukon. As a springtime rule, warm weather brings cloudy and unstable skies. Every once in a while though, we get a break, and the next thing you know you are observing in clear skies with nice warm weather. …
October is an amazing month for amateur astronomers. Summer constellations like Cygnus, Lyra, Hercules are slowly sinking into the horizon, and winter constellations like Andromeda, Taurus, and Orion are making their way onto the stage of the Yukon night skies. So what are the three best objects to observe in those amazing Yukon night skies? …
The largest planet, the closest galaxy, and Comet Hartley 2 Read More »
March is one of the most active months for Yukon amateur astronomers. And, this year, we have a visitor making our observing sessions all the more memorable. The timing and location of this visitor is perfect. And who is this cosmic visitor you ask? The answer is the ringed gas giant, Saturn. To locate Saturn …
Where are the Northern Lights? The answer as far as I can tell is two-fold. First, we have been pummelled with atrocious weather and, second, most of the Northern Light activity seems to be taking place in the High Arctic. One of my favourite websites (www.spaceweather.com) has an aurora map and alert system for aurora …
It is Friday night, and everyone is waiting for a great northern light show. The night skies are clear, and we are ready. After several hours, we are left disappointed; we have not seen even a single green spear of light, let alone a full display of aurora. Heading down the hallway, my wife looks …
Here comes the Yuletide observing season, so get ready to tilt your neck up. There are plenty of cosmic events happening in those amazing Yukon night skies throughout the entire month of December. The month starts off with Jupiter rising at sunset and setting at sunrise. This means that Jupiter is in the sky all …
As the end of May approaches, and June begins, we notice darkness at midnight. Living in the 60-degree latitude and above means that in the months of June, July and the first week of August, the sky doesn’t even get truly dark. Does this mean that northern astronomers will be putting all of their gear …
The Yukon Night Skies are coming alive with winter constellations like Orion, Taurus, and Gemini. Using a pair of humble binoculars, star clusters, galaxies, and nebula can all be easily seen. The Yukon Night Skies also holds an easily-seen comet, and several planets. So what did I see on my last observing session up on …
The month of December promises to be an action-packed month of celestial events for every amateur astronomer and nighttime photographer. As long as the weather holds, we will be in for a very busy month. The month starts out with Mercury, the closest planet to the sun. This little planet is always elusive to find …
Where were you on Saturday March 19, when the Super Moon occurred? Sounds kind of ominous doesn’t it? So, what is a super moon? As the moon orbits Earth, its path is not a perfect circle, but more elliptical in nature. When the moon is at its closest point to Earth (called the perigee) it …
Astronomy, the Yukon night skies, and non-stop springtime action go hand in hand. After having cloudy skies and the odd snowstorm dropping by to visit, we are finally getting a long deserved break. It all started on a frosty Tuesday evening, with the temperature hovering around -30 degrees Celsius, and a brisk north wind at …
With the oncoming of spring, the nights are shorter and temperatures are struggling to rise. The Yukon night skies are also in a state of celestial change. The constellations Leo the Lion and Virgo the Virgin are now clearing the eastern horizon well before midnight. This is a marvellous time for any deep sky observer, …
Astronomy as a hobby can be challenging. You are always at the mercy of unpredictable weather, the local wildlife, and, especially, the bugs. Two weeks ago I caught that nasty cold that was going around and was laid up for a few days. One night I was heading to bed around 2:30 in the morning, …
The month of February offers long, clear, cold nights, and a chance to explore five of the finest star clusters in the Yukon Night Skies. To begin our cosmic journey look high overhead and you will find the constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer. To identify this constellation, locate the brightest star overhead. This will be …
It’s going to be a busy season in those amazing Yukon night skies, with the possibility of three more meteor showers taking place in November. My attempt at observing the Orionid meteor shower in October was a wash due to the fact that is was snowing heavily, but there will be more chances to see …
The month of May brings warm weather observing – parka not required – a pleasant change of pace. It still gets frosty, though. Last weekend at the observing site (Grey Mountain Lookout Point) the temperature dropped to minus 6 Celsius. It was supposed to clear off later in the morning hours, so I decided to …
This is the busiest time of the year for northern sky watchers. I like to refer to it as the changing of the guard. Winter constellations are sliding lower into the horizon earlier each evening, soon to disappear for another year. The springtime constellations are up nice and high all night for excellent viewing, and …
Winter has arrived and the weather is starting to stabilize. With clear skies and reasonably warm temperatures, it is time to grab your parka and head outside to explore those amazing Yukon night skies. So what is there to see, you ask? Let’s start with the planets. Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, will …
In the last few months you may have noticed an increase in Northern Lights action, with intense displays. I hope you had a chance to observe the stunning visuals. There is no equipment required, unless you bring your camera, or maybe a chair to enjoy the show. What is the Aurora? The aurora borealis (northern …
As spring approaches, the Yukon night skies sizzle with cosmic happenings. The weather has offered us a few nights of reprieve with well above normal temperatures and clear skies. Comets, planets aplenty, northern lights and deep sky objects are all waiting to be seen, from sundown to sunup. With the Moon high in the evening …
Here comes another year with plenty of amazing sights for the cosmic tourist in this great northern land of ice and snow. Now if the weather would cooperate, we would be rocking! January appears to be an action-packed month of viewing, including some old familiar sights. For example, Venus is making a comeback and can …
I have been waiting for a couple of weeks for a strong auroral show so that I could test out a new camera.
After a rather busy weekend down at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Center for the Erik’s Main Event consumer electronics show, [what day are we on here?] we were unloading a large truck and as we looked up, there were the northern lights. While there are many avid aurora-watchers in the Yukon, I still find it …
Observers report: Planning a solar eclipse party is a relatively simple affair. The first priority is your observing site, as you have to make sure there is enough horizon to view the entire eclipse. This is especially true when the eclipse is taking place so late in the day and so close to the horizon. …
With springtime soon to arrive, Yukon astronomers are gearing up for the event of the year: galaxy hunting season. Unlike game hunting, you don’t need tags, and there is no limit. All you need is a clear dark sky and a pair of binoculars mounted on a tripod, or a telescope. Much like paycheques and …
Summertime is here, and it is going to be a rip-snorting good time, astronomically speaking, that is. Let’s get started with holidays and star parties. If you heading out of the territories for the summer, take a few minutes before you leave, and check out the star parties in a Sky News Magazineor on the …
Starfest 2010, Summer Star Parties and The Solar Express Read More »
