Canadian Weather Community Forums

Next year 2009 has been designated as the International Year of Astronomy. Reason being it is the 400th anniversary of Galileo discoveries with the telescope.

Buy the way Galileo did not invent the telescope as most people think. He improved on the original invented by a Dutchman, Hans Lippershey (I think that's the proper spelling).

There will be a lot of activities planed through the year. Public observations, lectures and library talks. Anyone that is interested in Astronomy or have kids that show a propensity in it, this will be an excellent time to see and learn about it, see and look through the telescopes, talk to astronomers both amateur and professional.
Perhaps even evoke a conversation about weather in places other than earth.

International Year of Astronomy 2009

Thanks Ron, we haven't ventured outside with our Christmas telescope much but I look forward to whatever happens next year.

LOL, this may sound strange. But there are times I enjoy just binoculars. No telescope or fancy equipment.

It's difficult to hold the binos steady. So, I take a camera tripod put the binos on top and with a couple turns of duct or masking tape secure it enough that they are not bouncing all over the place. Sloppy looking contraption, but works.

In fact I was doing that several nights ago.