Author Archives: astronomersden

About astronomersden

Daddy, Hubby, Teacher and when ever I get the chance Astronomer.

Galaxy Size Comparison Chart

Posted on April 5, 2013 by astronomersden

Originally posted on Richer Ramblings:
Just how big is our galaxy, the Milky Way, compared to others? Not very, actually. Above is a galaxy size comparison chart (by Rhys Taylor), showing, to the same scale, a selection of galaxies that…

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Once Upon a Time and Space…

Posted on April 2, 2013 by astronomersden

In my day job I teach history to teenagers. On one side of my classroom Buzz Aldrin stands sentinel like on the surface moon, flanked by Darwin and the Solar System. On the other, Georgians rub shoulders with Romans and maps of … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Books, Halley, Kepler, Stuart Clark, The Astronomer's Den, Transit of Venus | Tagged Astronomer's Den, Astronomy, Books, Einstein, Galileo, Interview, Kepler, science, Stuart Clark, The Day without Yesterday, The Sensorium of God, The Sky's Dark Labyrinth | Leave a comment

Giotto of Filton

Posted on March 14, 2013 by astronomersden

It was an exciting moment for many people, but especially for a young boy. It seemed such a daring mission and the fact the probe was not expected to survive made it all the more tantalising. Which boy doesn’t relish … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, British Space, Comets, Halley, Space Flight, The Astronomer's Den | Tagged Astronomer's Den, Astronomy, Comet, ESA, Giotto, Halley's Comet, science, Space flight, UK Space Agency | 1 Comment

Hairy Stars

Posted on March 7, 2013 by astronomersden

Galileo agreed with Aristotle and thought them to be high atmospheric phenomenon. Burning gas or some such. Ancient texts saw them filled with evil intent or foreboding, a sight unpredictable. In 1066 the appearance of one foretold the fall of … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Comets, Greenwich, Halley, History, Kepler, Telescope, Weather | Tagged Astronomer's Den, Astronomy, Comets, Edmund Halley, Galileo, Hairy Stars, History, Kepler, Newton, science | 1 Comment

Asteroid Day

Posted on February 16, 2013 by astronomersden

2012DA14. Well I didn’t see it. Well it was briefly in my scope but the gap in the clouds was so short that I didn’t get a chance to confirm which of the faint white dots was the one. Oh … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Baker Street Irregular Astronomers, Binoculars, End Of World, meteor shower, Meteorite, The Astronomer's Den, Weather | Tagged 2012DA14, Astronomer's Den, Astronomy, Baker Street Irregular Astonomers, BBC Interview, Russian Meteor, science, Urban Astronomy | 1 Comment

Where, oh where is the Great Big Bear?

Posted on February 9, 2013 by astronomersden

When I was a small astronomer one of the highlights of my early interest was the London Planetarium. It is one of those trips with my parents that I remember very fondly and still feel the edge of excitement from … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Greenwich, Planetarium, Telescope, The Astronomer's Den | Tagged Astronomer's Den, Astronomy, Greenwich, Planetarium, Royal Observatory, science, Space Safari, telescope | 4 Comments

Incoming!

Posted on January 23, 2013 by astronomersden

45 metres long. About the size of a Boeing 757. 130,000 tons. Heavier than a fully loaded Nimitz class carrier. 2.5 Megatonnes of tnt equivalent if it hit. That’s six Polaris missiles worth of bang. Right now it’s heading our way. … Continue reading →

Posted in Asteroid, Astronomy, Baker Street Irregular Astronomers, Binoculars, End Of World, Telescope, The Astronomer's Den | Tagged 15th February 2013, 2012DA14, Asteroid, Astronomer's Den, Astronomy, Baker Street Irregular Astonomers, Binoculars, science, telescope | 4 Comments

Getting Started

Posted on January 8, 2013 by astronomersden

New year, new hobbies. New series of BBC Stargazing Live. Just this past weekend the Guardian published a story about the rise of Astronomy as a hobby in the UK. How to get started then? What should you do? How … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Baker Street Irregular Astronomers, Binoculars, M42, Telescope, The Astronomer's Den | Tagged Astronomer's Den, Astronomy, Baker Street Irregular Astonomers, Binoculars, Getting started in Astronomy, New Hobby, Observing, science, Stargazing Live, Urban Astronomy | 2 Comments

2012 – That was the year that was

Posted on December 30, 2012 by astronomersden

938,900,000 km at 30km/s. It’s quite a ride when you think about it. Throw in 366 rotations at an equatorial speed of 1,674.4 km/h and the whole thing sounds pretty hair raising. 2012. It’s almost over and another arbitrarily set … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, British Space, Irregular Astro Camp 2012, Jodrell Bank, Mars, Moon, NASA, Orion, Patrick Moore, Space Flight, Space Station, Telescope, The Astronomer's Den, Transit of Venus, Venus, Weather | Tagged Astronomer's Den, Astronomy, Baker Street Irregular Astonomers, Jodrell Bank, Patrick Moore, science, Space flight, UK Space Agency, Urban Astronomy, Venus | Leave a comment

How to use a telescope…

Posted on December 24, 2012 by astronomersden

Well Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are having a happy and fun filled one. I will be beavering away in the kitchen to rustle up lunch and indulging a couple of medicinal sherry’s along the way, while the OH … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Telescope, The Astronomer's Den | Tagged Astronomer's Den, Astronomical Societies, Astronomy, Christmas Present, Christmas telescope, New telescope, science, telescope, Telescope Advice | 2 Comments