Total Lunar Eclipse

Just finished viewing and imaging a Total Lunar Eclipse, so thought I'd post some images.


The next Total Lunar Eclipse won't be til April of 2014, having said that there will still be a lot of celestial delights going on before then, especially in 2012.

First off because of all the solar activity going on, 2012 promises to bring lots of Auroras.

The Evening of Saturday March 3 you'll see the Moon, Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Mars in the sky at the same time with Orion right in the middle of them. A few weeks later Monday March 26 we get to see a triangle shape conjunction of the Moon, Pleiades and Venus, doesn't happen that often, should be cool to view and image.

Venus gets real close to the Pleiades, almost right in the mix Tuesday April 3, again a rare occurrence and won't happen again for another 8 years.

Now on Sunday May 20 the American Southwest gets treated to a Partial Solar Eclipse..but not just any kind of Partial, It will be an Annular, very rare, when the Moon fits just inside the Sun. Most of Canada will receive a regular Partial Solar Eclipse but I am seriously considering driving down to the states just to see and photograph it, it's that cool.

Another biggie....Tuesday June 5 we get a transit of Venus across the face of the Sun, most of Canada will get to see some or all of the event.

Last but not least Monday August 13 we get a daytime Occultation of Venus as the Moon sweeps in front of it. Theses are just some of the major events taking place... a very good year, then we got the whole end of the world thing going on December 21. I'll try to keep you up todate closer to the events so you don't miss.

10 Free Astronomy Apps and Resources

We have a guest poster to start Blackholes and astrostuff back to the blogging world. Karen Schweitzer. Karen writes about online colleges and universities for BestOnlineColleges.com, as well as writing articles for for About.com Business Schools. Check them out, some good stuff, thanks Karen.

10 Free Astronomy Apps and Resources

Astronomy happens to be a very fascinating area of study, which is why so many people are drawn to it. It is the science of all things celestial, from stars and comets to planets and galaxies. If you are interested in learning more about astronomy, the following free apps and resources are sure to expand your knowledge.

Astronomy - Although this website is a part of Astronomy magazine, there are many features that are free to enjoy. There are dozens of interesting articles on astronomy, as well as various blogs. This site also publishes a “Picture of the Day,” and gives you the chance to subscribe to the magazine if you wish to do so.

ProfessorAstronomy - This blog, created by a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, is dedicated to all things astronomy. The blog entries are based upon scientific research, yet still convey a sense of originality and entertainment to readers. There are also many useful links for astronomy fans listed on the blog.

Introduction To Astronomy - This free course, offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s OpenCourseware program, is a great way to learn all the basics of the solar system. This course is excellent for those who would like to gain knowledge in the area of astronomy on their own time. It provides actual assignments to students for a better learning experience.

JodCast - If you are looking for a podcast devoted to astronomy, look no further than Jodcast. It is set up by a group of astronomers from the University of Manchester and is broadcasted near the beginning of each month. The group that produces this podcast encourages astronomers from all over the world to chime in and add their input if they wish.

NASA - Anyone who knows anything about space and astronomy has most likely heard of NASA. This website for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has loads of great information on astronomy, space, and beyond. This site also contains photo galleries, blogs, podcasts, and many more resources for astronomy fans.



SkyMaps - Do you enjoy stargazing at night? If so, this online resource provides free evening sky maps each month. These sky maps offer star charts that make it easy to identify various constellations and planets. In addition to the free monthly sky charts, this site also offers other astronomy products.

Kid’s Astronomy - This fabulous site was made just for kids who would like to learn about the exciting world of astronomy. With educational games, as well as free online classes and informative articles, this site makes learning about astronomy a fun experience for children of all ages.

Astronomy Forum- If you would like the opportunity to discuss astronomy with others, this website is the perfect resource for you. It offers numerous online forums that are sure to spark the interest in any astronomy follower. This site also gives users the chance to sign up for a free newsletter that contains articles, news, and information on astronomy events.

BadAstronomy - Phil Plait, who is a successful astronomer and teacher, created this website that features a very informative blog. There are lots of other resources on this site as well, such as a list of astronomy-related movies. Plait also provides helpful links to other websites that may interest astronomy lovers.

UniverseToday - This site is a great source for all the latest astronomy news. Universe Today publishes educational, easy to read articles on a regular basis. If you like to stay up-to-date in the world of astronomy, subscribe to this site as soon as possible.

All of these apps and resources are perfect for anyone who would like to learn more about astronomy. Not only are they free, but very informative as well. If you are a fan of astronomy, check them out today.