Fred Ley

Hi Niko, I havn't read what everyone else wrote, so I'll pitch in my two-cents worth. One excellent place to start with is the "star party". That's where us astro-lovers gather so that we can look through telescopes and bring all those photons to a focus in an eyepiece. Go to one of these events and get there early so that you can look at all of the different instruments. As you probably are aware of, they come in all sizes, shapes, weights, colors and prices. Most amateurs are willing to spend time showing their telescope to you and to discuss it merits. At night many will let you look through their telescope too. There are many good books out their for the beginner. If it is a text in the Greek language, you will have to rely on what others have recommended to you. I can't read or write Greek worth beans. So I hope that you are able to read this. The county of Aticca, as us stargazers know, is not good for doing any deep sky observing anywhere within its boundaries. It is ok for the Moon, Planets, Variable Stars, Double Star and some CCD work. Naturally any distance away from the center of Athens is of some help. Hope that this is of some use for you. Over and out, Fred

The Astronomy Sketch of the Day site is really interesting. I used to make drawings when I first began doing astronomy-nothing really good. In those days it would have cost a lot to get lots of film developed and not to mention purchased. Somewhere I have a sketch of the sword of Orion that I made from my balcony in Athens around 1972. It was all done by just looking through the eyepiece. -Fred

Hi All, This is real neat stuff to watch and record as we pass throught the ring plane of Saturn. Thanks for sharing the info. -Fred

It appears that a supernova has been discovered, on December 26, in the galaxy M61. Further information is available at this link... http://www.eu-hou.net/supernovae/index.php?id=16&kod=194 -Fred

Hi, There is an interesting site of the United States Geologic Survey at http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Projects/LunarConsortium/ that may give you some information of areas of the Moon for observing or other interests. The book by Rukl is a good one. I have a copy that was issued in the early 1980's. I hope that the USGS link may be of some use to you. -Fred

Hi Aggelos, Hey! The observatory turned out real nice. Now that you have the instrument all set up to rock 'n roll whenever you want to. Job well done, Fred

Hi Achilleas, Very informative article you have there. I have never had the good fortune to visit Paris-as of yet. Besides the art galleries and other points of interest in Paris, I would like to visit the astronomical places that it has to offer too. Thanks again, Fred