WebHub Translations The VSC's "Favorite Links" Repository Search the VSC, or the Web! ASTROWIRE (Current Astronomical and Space Events)
The VSC's Observer's Data Sheet "Download NOW !!!" Sirius Astronomical Observatory Gleaning Pages G. Barabino's VAO Gleaning Pages The VSC's Affiliations
Honorary VSC members The VSC's Most Noteworthy Observations Current Lunar and Solar Realtime Images The VSC Latest Website Updates
Vega News !!!

WELCOME TO  THE  ASTRONOMICAL WEBHUB OF  THE

                                         

A  PART  OF  THE ASTRONOMICAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1970


OUR  BEGINNINGS

Hello Fellow Stargazers, and Welcome to the Astronomical WebHub of the Vega Sky Center. We are Amateur Astronomers with small private observatories residing in Waggamans, LA (formerly in New Orleans, LA), and Riverview, FL. My name is Melvin Dawson, and I begun my association with Astronomy back in July 1970 when I experienced my first telescopic view of the moon through a Selsi 60mm variable powered refractor, owned by Gary Barabino - a new comer to the neighborhood. Needless to say, that first look pulled me in like the gravitational effect of a black hole. I became an understudy to Gary, and we continued to observe many celestial objects. On August 16th of that year, it was a Partial Lunar Eclipse that inspired us to start recording observations of celestial objects, and started the rise of the Vega Astronomical Observatory, later transcending into the Vega Sky Center in 1975. Gary Barabino runs the Vega Astronomical Observatory, as well as being the founder of the VSC. My location is called the Sirius Astronomical Observatory, here in Riverview FL.

Our humble beginnings inspired us to help other budding as well as seasoned amateurs. With assistance from Gary, and our honorary members, we plan to cover many aspects of our astronomical experiences with the goal in mind to be a premiere resource to the astronomical community.  We truly hope the information contained within these web pages will be of  help to all all of our visitors. Via the resources within, you will find photos and design diagrams of our telescope projects completed and under construction!... Links to some of the most sought-after items and information from a myriad of suppliers, as well as various FREE Astronomy Software downloads!... Real-time astronomical data, and video links!... Links to Star Atlas's and Monthly Sky Charts... and much, much more... with new additions to come!... We even created and made available a downloadable Observation Data Sheet! Also, check out the latest news about Astronomical and Space headlines, courtesy of ASTROWIRE™. As the VSC's WebHub grows, additional sections and pages will be created to share projects, ideas, and knowledge to help amateurs in many aspects of ATM, observational, and photographic astronomy.

We truly hope everyone enjoys this fascinating adventure as we embark on a new era of the VSC... So, please let us know you were here, or send your comments and/ or suggestions by emailing us at the email address below. Your input is always welcome and valuable to us.

vsc-astronomers@vega-sky-center.com

TRANSLATE THE  VEGA  SKY  CENTER WEBHUB

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VEGA  NEWS !!!

April 20, 2008

    • Gary Barabino is currently working on the 2005 volume of the Vega Astronomical Journals. His efforts are paying off tremendously in restoring our past. As many of you already know, 2005 was the year that Hurricane Katrina devastates the Louisiana - Mississippi Gulf Coast. With the journals nearly being lost in this travesty, it is a miracle and a blessing that their recovery and restoration are almost current.

    • Mel Dawson's 10" Fork Mounted Newtonian is on the verge of being motorize! Work is currently underway and performed by Eric Moerman to construct a clock drive for the telescope. Eric's creative efforts will make this unit from a once used 8" declination drive used on one of his past projects. His past work is showcased on our WebHub, and can be accessed by clicking on his name above, or by going to the "Honorary VSC Members" button at the top of this page. Look for more details in the near future. A photo of the worm gear mechanism is shown below. Click on the image to see an enlarged view.

Click for an enlarged view!

As always... if you have questions, concerns, or have suggestions, please email us at:

vsc-astronomers@vega-sky-center.com


Items up for bids on as submitted by VSC Members

None, at the present time...


THE VEGA SKY CENTER'S ASTRONOMICAL RESOURCE LINKS

By way of the Drop Down boxes below, you will find a great collection of websites to some of our favorite magazines, maps, monthly astronomical periodicals, FREE software downloads, audio/ video sites and many links to suppliers and manufacturers of astronomical equipment, etc. We hope amateurs, young and old will find these sites useful within their astronomical endeavors,,. We did! This list is certain to increase in size over time. So please check back periodically for new additions.

 

   

    

       

       

       

   

   


 

Photo taken by Gary Barabino (Click for larger view)

Photo of craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus, and Arzachel just after First Quarter as taken by G. Barabino on 11-12-2006 (Tasco Luminova 4.5" f/8 Reflector - Gateway DC-T50 Digital Camera)

Photo taken by Mel Dawson (Click for larger view)

Photo of the moon's southeastern cusp during First Quarter as taken on 10-29-2006 by M. Dawson (Cosmos 4.5" f/8 Newtonian Reflector  - TeleVue 20mm  Plossl, and Olympus SP-500uz Digital Camera)

       

 


SEARCH THE  VSC  WEBHUBOR THE  WEB !!!

 

 

 

 

THE WEB

THE VEGA SKY CENTER

  To help in locating specific information on our WebHub, we have added the search box above for your convenience.


THE VSC’S OBSERVER’S  DATA  SHEET

Click to view the "VSC Observer's Data Sheet"

 

To document those awesome celestial wonders observed through our telescopic instruments, the Vega Sky Center has created a well thought out observation recording form we call the "Observer's Data Sheet". In developing the form, we carefully considered all the tidbits of information the average amateur would record during an observing session. It is comprised of two pages, which can be printed on a single sheet if you use the 2-sided option for your given printer, or print to two separate sheets. The front page contains all of the pertinent data - time, date, telescope information, object information, etc. The second page is used for sketching your object of choice, or for a photograph. We hope that you will find this form helpful in recording those splendid telescopic observations. The Observer's Data Sheet is a PDF document can be downloaded by clicking the image below. All you need is Adobe AcroReader or other PDF application to open it.

"Download a copy today, so you can start a wealth of observing memories!!!"


THE VSC’S ATM PROJECTS  &  EQUIPMENT PAGES

 

  

MEL "DOC" DAWSON

GLEANINGS FROM THE SIRIUS ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY

Mel Dawson and his completed SAO 10" Newtonian Fork Mounted Reflector at The FarrOut Observatory Site 06-16-2007 !!! -- Click for larger image

Here in the "SAO Gleanings Pages", I hope to provide interesting information on various projects being conducted at the Sirius branch of the VSC, such as the construction overview of my 10" f/5.6 Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector. I will also share my astronomical experiences within these pages. It is my sincere wish to inspire the young and old to pursue amateur astronomy as a hobby, because I believe that it  touches many aspects of our lives, and instills a better understanding of how our universe ticks. Let alone the spectacular once in a lifetime views of many objects folks have never seen. To go to Mel's home page, please click on the button below.

To view Mel's gleaning pages, please click on the button below!

 

   

GARY "BAM" BARABINOS

GLEANINGS FROM THE VEGA ASTRONOMICAL  OBSERVATORY

Gary "Bam" Barabino holding his 6" f/7 Konus Refractor OTA

With over 40 years of expertise and knowledge in the realm of Amateur Astronomy, Gary "Bam" Barabino founded the Vega Astronomical Observatory back in August of 1970. Of recent, Gary has a wealth of projects on his plate to complete, such as the restoration of the Vega Astronomical Journals, which were ravaged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005. In addition to the tedious task of restoring the journals, "Bam" will soon begin working on the telescope of his dreams, a 14" f/7 (Coulter Optical) Fork Mounted Newtonian reflector. Gary's input has been very valuable in generating interest in our WebHub throughout the world. So please continue to stay tune for updates to Gary's homepage, "Gleanings from the Vega Astronomical Observatory". To go to Gary's home page, please click on the button below.

To view "Bam's" gleaning pages, please click on the button below!

 

 

ERIC MOERMANS  12.5”  FORK  MOUNTED  NEWTONIAN

A VEGA SKY CENTER SPECIAL

Click for Enlarged View

Recently, I had the opportunity to touch base with another ATM'er by the name of Eric Moerman who has also constructed a equatorial Fork Mount for his 12.5" Newtonian Reflector. I was very much inspired by his efforts to build such a grand instrument totally out of metal he himself constructed of parts milled in a machine shop. This undertaking definitely calls for recognition for all the astronomical community to see. So with Eric's permission, I have posted a number of photos for all to see and admire. Please click on the button below to enter the Vega's exposé of Eric's phenomenal telescope project.

 


 

NOTEWORTHY OBSERVATIONS RECORDED BY THE  VSC

Click to go instantly to the 02-20--21-2008 Total Lunar Eclipse Page!

The VSC observes the recent Total Luna Eclipse of 02/20-21/2008. The above image was  taken on 02-20-2008 at 21:44 EST by M. Dawson along with Kenneth Ewin through a Konus "Hybridized" 90mm f/11 Refractor using an Olympus c-4000Z [f/2.8 - Automatic Setting] digital camera in conjunction with a TeleVue 40mm Plossl attached to a homemade Universal Digital Camera Adapter.

 

By clicking on the "Observations by the VSC" button below, you will be whisked to the page containing noteworthy observations recorded by members of the VSC. Many of these observations will provide detailed synopses which visitors will find interesting and helpful. This section will assuredly grow, as we take part in upcoming significant celestial events.

 


 

CURRENT SOLAR IMAGES  AND LUNAR  PHASE

CURRENT SOLAR IMAGES FROM SOHO

SOHO Solar Image via EIT at 195 Angstroms - (Click for enlarged view)               SOHO Solar Image in Visible Light - (Click for enlarged view)               SOHO Solar Image via EIT at 304 Angstroms - (Click for enlarged view)

 

Click on any of the solar images above for an enlarged view!

 

CURRENT MOON


CLEAR SKY CLOCK FOR VSC LOCALES AND THE FARROUT OBSERVING SITE

 

  Clear Sky Clock for Mel Dawson's Private Observatory              Clear Sky Clock for Dennis Farr's FarrOut Private Observatory            Clear Sky Clock for Gary Barabino's Private Observatory

    Brandon, FL                                              Withlacoochee River Park, FL                                      Waggamans, LA

CURRENT ASTRONOMICAL AND SPACE EVENTS VIA ASTROWIRE

 


Look for MY article covering the VSC's sao 10" f/5.6 fork mounted Newtonian reflector in the debut APRIL 2007 issue of the new astronomical magazine

April, 2007 Issue -- Click here to go to Astronomy Technology Today's Website    May, 2007 Issue -- Click here to go to Astronomy Technology Today's Website    August, 2007 Issue -- Click here to go to Astronomy Technology Today's Website    September, 2007 Issue -- Click here to go to Astronomy Technology Today's Website

October, 2007 Issue -- Click here to go to Astronomy Technology Today's Website    November, 2007 Issue -- Click here to go to Astronomy Technology Today's Website    December, 2007 Issue -- Click here to go to Astronomy Technology Today's Website    January, 2008 Issue -- Click here to go to the new and improved Astronomy Technology Today's Website

February, 2008 Issue -- Click here to go to the new and improved Astronomy Technology Today's Website    March, 2008 Issue -- Click here to go to the new and improved Astronomy Technology Today's Website    April, 2008 Issue -- Click here to go to the new and improved Astronomy Technology Today's Website


 

THE VEGA SKY CENTER