http://articles.sparklingstarforyou.com/rss.xml A blog about sparklingstarforyou.com daily 365 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://articles.sparklingstarforyou.com/?a=35734 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Let's see now, how can one own a star? That's sort of like asking if you can buy air or sunshine. Because they exist universally, stars belong to no one, so logically, if no one owns them, you would think that no one could sell them. Literally speaking, you can't own a star. They belong to everyone who sees them. <br /><br />Even if you name your star or have someone else name your star, astronomers will not use that name. Read below how stars receive their names. However, you can have companies send you a certificate with some stellar coordinates, a star map and a letter. This will help you locate the stars that you might want to consider your own. Note that you will be receiving just an expensive novelty item, though. No company can make your name official or guarantee that you indeed have bought a star that someone else hasn't already bought through another company in the same business. <br /><br />Approximately si thousand stars light up our night sky. If dealers indeed report these star names correctly, all of the stars have an owner. Therefore, if you want to own a unique star on your own, you're out of luck: you probably won't even be able to see it. <br /><br />Below you will find a summary of the visit I received from one who purchased a star name from a company. See what he got for his money. <br /><br />Most star names come from antiquity. In fact, The Almagest, one of the earliest star atlases, dates back to the third century BC. Today, however, the International Astronomical Union governs the names of stars, planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. Their power comes directly from an agreement with the world's astronomers and international treaty. When you buy a star name from a company, the IAU will not recognize it. <br /><br />Where do comets and asteroids get their names? Generally speaking, comets are named after people or machines who discover them. For example, Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp received credit for simultaneously discovering the comet that we now call by their names. The comet LINEAR received its name from the space probe that discovered it. <br /><br />Asteroids don't have the luxury of real names. Instead the IAU generally gives them a numeric designation. In the past, however, the IAU has given asteroids names suggested by the one who discovered the asteroid. Scientists, artists, and even musicians have found derivatives of their names tacked unto an asteroid. You never know. Maybe an asteroid has your name tacked unto it.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as buying a star at <br /><a href="http://www.sparklingstarforyou.com/">http://www.sparklingstarforyou.com</a></p> 2006-09-16T14:10-04:00 http://articles.sparklingstarforyou.com/?a=35733 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Do you dream of the stars? Maybe you just can't get enough of those astronauts on CNN, fixing the space station or walking through airless space. You might even own your own telescope with the hopes of seeing or discovering something that no one else has seen. If so, consider the following tips to maximize your experience with your telescope. <br /><br />First of all, remember that even with telescope use, practice makes perfect. To practice using a telescope, start with utilizing your daytime hours. Pick an object you can easily find, and focus your telescope on it. Using daylight hours to observe objects will help you become familiar with your telescope. Once nightfall hits, try object just the moon at first or a bright star, anything that stands out in the night sky. <br /><br />Though curiosity may tempt you, never point your telescope near or at the sun. You can instantly cause irreversible eye damage.<br /><br />Many novices struggle to just find what they are looking for through their telescope. When centering an object in your main telescope, spot your desired object through the viewfinder first. Once you have your object centered through the viewfinder, it will sit somewhere in the main telescope's field of view. <br /><br />Once the sun has set and you begin observing low light objects in the sky, don't worry if they start moving. Because of the earth's constant rotation, astronomical objects will begin to move slowly through your field of view. As you focus on them with your telescope, slowly move your telescope to follow them. Utilize vertical or lateral movement of your telescope to keep the object in your sites. If you have a higher powered telescope, the object will move more rapidly through your field. <br /><br />Sometimes you'll notice that your object will become fuzzy when you increase your magnification. Though you might want to see it more closely, move your magnification to a lower power. The fuzziness indicates that the atmosphere is not steady enough to support the higher power you desire. <br /><br />Avoid placing telescope on a surface or location where vibrations could disturb your image. For example, viewing objects from the top of a tall building could cause distorted and moving images. <br /><br />Give your eyes time to acclimate to the dark before you begin any serious observations after sunset. Utilize a red filtered flashlight to maintain some night vision if you need to read star maps or adjust the telescope. You can make one yourself easily by simply taping red cellophane over your flashlight lens. <br /><br />While viewing from the comfort of a room in your home might seem convenient, it's not optimal. Instead, utilize open air settings. Place your telescope outside ahead of time to allow it to reach the surrounding temperatures before you start an observation session. If you try to view from inside, the images will appear blurred or distorted thanks to the temperature variances between the inside and outside air.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as buying a star at <br /><a href="http://www.sparklingstarforyou.com/">http://www.sparklingstarforyou.com</a></p> 2006-09-16T14:07-04:00