Fossil's World

seeing is believing

Version info:

v1.1 (Nov 28, 2005)

Astronomy

A vision to ponder

Fossil presents: Astronomy, just imagine!

Astronomy is my other passion in life, although passion may be the wrong word. Since discovering Thailand, most interests have paled into relative oblivion. However the flame is still there for this equally expensive hobby. I had been a member of the Astronomical Society of Victoria for the past 8 or nine years, although I have only ever made it to one meeting! This was mostly due to work committments.

Unfortunately, most larger cities have a light pollution problem that leaves most, if not all amateur and professional astronomers alike, less than happy at the best of times. Melbourne is no exception. However there are several sites within an hours drive of the city centre that offer excellent viewing and darkness. The ASV, fortunately has access to a property that is used regularly for viewing nights, star-b-ques and the like. They even have shelter and toilet facilities for those without their own accommodation.
The society has several telescopes, including a recently completed 27-inch beast, that is available to anyone to wants to look just that little bit closer to their favorite celestial object. I own a modest 10-inch Parks dual mode telescope, which is capable of being used in Cassegrain mode or the more classical Newtonian at the quick switch of the secondary mirror assembly. Sadly I haven't used the telescope to anything like its potential over the last couple of years. See picture here. BTW, it is currently for sale. Email me for details.

Some of the images here will take a little time to load as they are rather large. But I hope for those interested that you do take the time, as I believe you will be well rewarded. The majority of these images come from the Hubble Space Telescope Institute, European Southern Observatory and NASA all of whom I thank, and anyone I've missed in error.

site info-astronomy