LucAstronomy.co.za
Your Pro Amateur Astronomy Site
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VISIT MY ASTRO - PHOTGRAPHY GALLERY
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There's numerous reasons why people become astronomers... Many enjoy the beauty of the night sky, some enjoy technical astronomy, some do it for the camaraderie. Some are "armchair astronomers", doing most of their "observing" in the pages of Sky & Telescope, while others are active visual observers. Some hunt for comets, some for supernovae, and some love variable stars & double stars. Then there's the solar observers, the astro-photographers, and the telescope makers. Not to mention to new kid on the block, video astronomy. But the common thread between all astronomers is an attraction to the night sky and a desire to understand the universe. LucAstronomy.co.za is for all people interested in Astronomy - Amateur or Professional. Therefore, I invite you to come and experience the night sky and all the wonders the Southern Hemisphere Sky has to offer. I provide stargazing tours to families, small groups and individuals. I, Lucas Ferreira will be your "Night Sky" guide. Please follow the "Night Sky Tours" link, on the main menu for more information or click here > If you're planning to join the local astronomy club, GRASSA or require more information, please visit the "Astronomy Events" page. Here you will find up to the date information about current and future meetings and "Dark Sky" events.
The Whole Family is Welcome!
I am a Authorized Telescope & Accessory Dealer - South Africa
I offer the best prices and after sales service on Celestron, Meade, Sky-Watcher & many other Telescopes & Accessories in South Africa, with various shipping options available. Whether you are looking for a Refractor Telescope, Reflector Telescope or Dobsonian, Catadioptric, Maksutov Telescope - I can provide them all. And if I don't have it, I'll do my best to source it. So what are you waiting for? Call me, Lucas NOW for a quote or expert advice on 083 3764 910 or email me at Info@lucastronomy.co.za.
SALT & Sutherland About SALT
This design is based on the Hobby-Ebberly Telescope at the McDonald Observatory in Texas, which is one of the international partners in the project. However, this design has been altered in many ways to accommodate requirements specific to SALT and to take advantage of the opportunity to optimise aspects of the design where difficulties have been identified with the HET performance. This design allowed SALT to be built at less than a fifth of the cost of a conventional 10-metre telescope. About one third of the funding for SALT has come from the South African government, whereas, about 60% of the construction and development budget was spent within the country. The rest was funded by a consortium of international partners from South Africa, the United States, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. SALT will be able to record distant stars, galaxies and quasars a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye. Read More > About Sutherland
When you take the tar road from Cape Town , you turn off at Matjiesfontein, the famous English Karoo town with its splendid museum, then another 110 km and you reach Sutherland ..... not only famous for its Observatory but also for its pure , fresh air …... fresher than anywhere else in the world! Read More >
Astronomy Delights
Magda, an amateur astronomer in name but by no means in method and achievement, has written this book to assist other amateur astronomers in their attempts to turn their telescopes into instruments of nightly adventure and also to discover and appreciate the beauty that she sees, and more. Added to her descriptions of stars and constellations in words are Magda's carefully crafted pencil sketches and co-ordinate maps, as well as notes and anecdotes about other people, both world famous and lesser known, who have made their mark in the world of astronomy over the centuries. Astronomy delights is a beautiful book, its hardcover binding and high-quality paper making it a fitting vessel for all the treasures contained within its pages.
Only 150 signed and numbered copies! This is a 355 page full-colour hard copy book with sketches, high quality photos, history and much more! Cost is R480.00 per book Plus postage: R40.00 (In South Africa) Order your book now from Liezel Galloway at (T) +27 15 2911678 (o/h) or (E) admin@eubele.co.za
Star Gazer's Deep Space Atlas
Star Atlases are generally complicated and awkward to use and, at times, an enthusiastic beginner would be left feeling somewhat despondent. But, the carefully designed and revolutionary features included in the Deep Space Atlas, have been implemented with both the beginner and experienced star gazer in mind. As a beginner, you may be interested in knowing more about the stars, but are not sure how and where to start. The “Where do I Start” section and the “Sky Tour” exercise, will guide you step by step, from the time you step outside, to locating and observing a remarkable celestial object such as a star cluster, gaseous nebula or double star. The Atlas is also an invaluable tool for more experienced observers in possession of a pair of binoculars, or a small or large telescope, who wish to look for visually challenging objects such as galaxies. The Atlas focuses on the visual aspect of astronomy, hence the subtitle “Outdoor Viewing”. It guides you, the observer, to find and observe a myriad of spectacular celestial objects other than just looking at pictures of these objects in a text book. Added information such as distances, and velocities at which these celestial objects travel through space, as well as the Author’s Notes, are included to make your observations more inspiring. Viewing the hundreds of objects included in the Atlas would take several years, ensuring you many hours of observing pleasure. Explanations of the Milky Way and meteors (shooting stars) are also included. Your Voyage to the Stars is About to Begin… Wayne Mitchell, Author of the STAR GAZER'S DEEP SPACE ATLAS GREAT FOR: CAMPING - HIKING - USE AT HOME - DARK SKY OBSERVING
SPECIAL FEATURES
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Buying a Telescope, especially if it is your first one, can be a challenge. But don't worry or look any further! With my years of experience as an Amateur Astronomer and working with various Astronomical equipment I can today professionally assist you in buying the perfect Telescope that will give you, your family and friends endless nights of viewing pleasure.
The Southern African Large Telescope or SALT as it is known, is the single largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere and the largest in Africa. It has a 10-metre diameter mirror, comprised of 91 identical spherical hexagonal segments. The telescope is tilted at a fixed angle of 37 degrees from the zenith, so that it moves only in azimuth, rotating into position on air bearings and remaining stationary during each observation. Precise pointing and tracking are handled by the moving optical corrector assembly and instrument payload at the top of the telescope tube.
Gateway to the universe ....... that is what they call Sutherland. Land of snow and stars. The coldest place in the Republic of South Africa. The place where you find the largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere....... a telescope so powerful that one could see a candle flame on the moon. 
Anyone who knows Magda Streicher will know about her passion and love for the night skies and the dedication with which she goes about observing and carefully recording and describing heavenly objects - all in her unique, inimitable way.
The Atlas is probably the most valuable and versatile tool for star gazers in the southern hemisphere. It is designed for South African star gazing in particular. All levels of astronomy enthusiasts will benefit appreciably from this innovative and exciting edition. Beginners may now, with ease, gaze up at the starry heavens, find the constellations, and experienced observers may use their telescopes to its full potential. Never before has star gazing been easier!
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Amateur Astronomy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Overview
The amateur astronomer is one who does not depend on the field of astronomy as a primary source of income or support, and does not have a professional degree or advanced academic training. Many amateurs are beginners, while others have a high degree in astronomy and often assist and work alongside professional astronomers.
Amateur astronomy is usually associated with viewing the night sky when most celestial objects and events are visible, but sometimes amateur astronomers also operate during the day for events such as sunspots and solar eclipses. Amateur astronomers often look at the sky using nothing more than their eyes, but common tools for amateur astronomy include telescopes and binoculars.
People have studied the sky throughout history in an amateur framework, without any formal method of funding. It is only within about the past century, however, that amateur astronomy has become an activity clearly distinguished from professional astronomy, and other related activities.
Amateur Astronomy Objectives
Collectively, amateur astronomers observe a variety of celestial objects and phenomena. Common targets of amateur astronomers include the Moon, planets, stars, comets, meteor showers, and a variety of deep sky objects such as star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. Many amateurs like to specialise in observing particular objects, types of objects, or types of events which interest them. One branch of amateur astronomy, amateur astro photography, involves the taking of photos of the night sky and the objects therein.
Astro photography has become more popular for amateurs in recent times, as relatively sophisticated equipment, such as high quality CCD cameras, has become more affordable.
From Wikipedia
New Website Logo
I have decided to create a new logo for my website and observatory. It took much thought, time and planning, but was worth it!
The design of the logo is based on the following:
- The mountain represents the Outeniqua Mountain range that runs alongside my home town George, in the Western Cape. The two peaks in the logo represents the Cradock and George Peak respectively. George lies at the foot of this mountain and peaks.
- The Reflector Telescope my equipment.
- And then last but not least, the stars, a comet and the Moon representing the night sky.
A special thanks to my lovely Wife, Ancois who assisted me on the Software (Graphic Design) side of the creation of this Logo.
Webmaster: Lucas Ferreira
2012 Copyright © LucAstronomy.co.za
Last Update:
Tuesday, 1 May 2012 @ 13:00