What is the difference between a 20mm eyepiece and a 25mm eyepiece? What does 60°, 80°, 100° really mean and why is it important? I see two 20mm eyepieces, but one is 1″ vs 2″ – what’s the difference? Why does my object look different on my 6″ vs someone else’s? Or – why is it very challenging to view The Horsehead Nebula, when I know I’m right on it?
Join us for the next Fast Track event which focuses on Optics and Filters! Bring eyepieces and your scopes, and we’ll talk about the differences in eyepieces (and what focal length really affects), understand a field of view, and learn some of the quick calculations so you can understand what optics should work better for your equipment ahead of making these critical purchases.
We will also look at the techniques around selecting filters: what are they, how do they help, what is the composition of our objects, and why do they help immensely for some observing and certainly towards capturing images.
And as always, once we finish the daytime class portion, we’ll set up our telescopes and practice using these techniques or learn how to anticipate and see the differences in combinations.
Terry Phillips has agreed to lead us again, and I’m sure it’ll be awesome!
Please bring your astrokit, along with your log for classroom notes and observing notes. You’ll also want to prepare for cool weather, chairs, snacks. We may view a few things inside the observatory as well.
As always, please sign up so we have enough materials for the night. And yes, it’s a members-only event! Any questions, please contact Member Services team!
Have you ever wondered what (or when) exactly is the vernal equinox – and how do we know? Or what is the Plane of the Ecliptic and why is it important? What’s the difference between celestial coordinates and equatorial coordinates? Or what do the words Right Ascension or Left Declination mean as opposed to Altitude and Azimuth? On a sphere, what is an arcminute or arcsecond? How do you always know where planets are in the sky? Or why are certain things only visible at certain times of the year? Here’s your chance to 
AAS members are invited to a special event screening of the amazing new film, 
Please join us on December 9th for this year’s AAS Holiday Party and Potluck!