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Mysky versus star maps - Aug 2, 2007

For a beginning astronomer, the hardest part of learning to use a star map or map of the constellations is translating the smaller scale of what you see on the map to the larger scale of what you see in the sky. For instance, once you've seen how much sky actually separates each star in the summer triangle (Vega, Altair and Deneb), the rest of the constellations in the night sky begin to fall into place. To my way of thinking, this is the best use of sky computers like the Meade Mysky and Celestron Skyscout. Rather than using them to avoid a star map, I recommend using the My Sky or Sky Scout as a way to understand a star map. As any experienced astronomer will tell you, even one who uses a computerized telescope, a star map is a basic and essential tool for all astronomers.

posted by Joanie K @ 9:09 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Meade Series 4000 Eyepiece & Filter Set - Aug 1, 2007

Ever wonder what size eyepieces to buy for your telescope? When you buy them all, where do you store them? Meade Instruments came out with the Meade Series 4000 Eyepiece & Filter Set to help you out with this situation. The Meade Series 4000 Eyepiece & Filter Set comes will almost every Series 4000 eyepiece from 6.4mm up to 40mm, except for the 26mm that comes with some of their nicer scopes like the ETX 125-AT. It also includes the Meade #126 2x barlow lens. The Meade Series 4000 Eyepiece & Filter Set also comes with the Meade Series 4000 Photo Visual Color Filter Set #1, which includes yellow, red, green, and blue planetary filters, and the Meade Series 4000 Moon Filter. To keep all of these accessories together, the set is packaged in a foam-filled aluminum carry case. The Meade Series 4000 Eyepiece & Filter Set is the perfect accessory to any telescope and a wonderful gift idea, too!

posted by Ryan W @ 2:47 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Apogee Beer Bottle Telescope - Jul 31, 2007

I must admit I've looked through beer goggles before, but not until recently have I looked through a beer bottle telescope. The Apogee Beer Bottle telescope looks exactly like a green beer bottle. Pop the cap and remove the bottom lens cover and you have a 16 power telescope guaranteed to turn heads. Especially if you grab your opened green beer bottle instead of the telescope and try to look through it. But the Apogee 16x optic is good enough for some fun use. The eyepiece is easily focused, and the unit comes in a black nylon carry case for classy carrying at your next star party. Give them as raffle gifts or booby prizes, or a neat birthday or Christmas gift, preferably to someone over legal drinking age. Have some fun with one of these ridiculous optical contraptions at your next gathering. Fogging may occur if kept in the fridge.

posted by Steve L @ 2:11 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

MySky now available -

Now is the time to discover what stars make up the famous "summer triangle" of stars and, if you need help, you might want to try a sky computer. The new Meade Mysky is now available and we are currently filling backorders. We also have plenty of the Celestron Skyscout units in stock, ready for immediate shipment.

posted by Joanie K @ 10:08 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

MySky updates - Jul 30, 2007

"Is Meade going to provide updates for the computer data base in their new MySky?" I haven't received any official notification, but it would seem very likely, as it is possible to connect the Meade MySky to Meade Autostar telescopes and updates are a standard Autostar feature. Stay tuned. Meade will be adding more My Sky accessories in the near future.

posted by Joanie K @ 8:12 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

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