• There's a new ATM parts fabricator available to Crayford Focuser aficionados! The company is called Crawford Machine Shop LLC. A link to their website has been placed under the ATM Parts, Supplies & Manufacturers drop-down on the VSC homepage. You may have seen their posts on Cloudy Nights. So pay them a visit!

• Added more websites to the drop-down links under the Resource Links of the VSC's homepage. One in particular I really like is Astronomy Cast. I placed a link under the Online Astronomical Audio and Video Streams + Great Photo Links drop-down. A great website indeed. I think you'll really like it as well.

• With Mars at opposition and sky conditions favorable, I plan to get the 127mm f/9.4 BGRP refractor out to see how all of the CG-5 EQ mount modifications perform. I will be certain to add a Second Light report to the Vega News !!! page. Stay tuned!

• As the 2010 approaches, I would like to wish one and all a safe, and prosperous New Year! I hope and pray that 2010 is one of the best years of your lives.

• To end the your off with a bang, I wrote a report on how I improved the optical performance of my 127mm f/9.4 refractor in hopes that it will serve others who are utilizing the same SurpluShed objective. It is called Performance Upgrade to the VSC/ SAO 127mm f/9.4 "BGRP" Refractor. The report at present can be found on the Vega News!!! page, but will be later moved to a new upcoming section called VSC ATM Modifications and Improvements.

• The contruction of the VSC/ SAO 127mm f/9.4 BGRP refractor is moving forward with the completion of the North Star 2 aluminum faceplates and dovetail plate. Please check out the latest on the Vega News !!! page, which can be accessed for the VSC homepage.

• Gary Barabino of the VSC/ VAO has recently assemble a new telescope. The instrument, a 127mm f/9 Yulin refractor is his pride and joy. Please visit the Vega New !!! page of updates and links.

• Also, the Vega Sky Center has join forces with the company SurpluShed to help budding and adept amateurs in locating ATM components. Please click on the SurpluShed logos seen throughout our WebHub to pay them a visit. You are sure to find a wealth of hard to find components to serve you astronomical project needs.

• Added the website of an old amateur friend from my budding amateur astronomy days. The website is called First Light Observatory Astronomy and is owned by Tom Nicolaides. Tom was attending the University of New Orleans when I met him through Gary Barabino while we were giving tours at the universities observatory back in the mid to late 1970's. I recall him owning a Criterion RV-6 Newtonian reflector and going out to what we call Exit 3 off Interstate 10 in eastern New Orleans. Man! ... those were the days. I hope you enjoy visiting his website as much as I have. It is indeed a pleasure to add an old friend's website to The VSC's Favorite Amateur Astronomer Websites drop-down on the VSC's homepage.

• The Vega Sky Center has joined forces with one of the premiere astronomical parts companies, Surplus Shed! So if you need an objective, or a really nice eyepiece at great prices, please click on the link to their website below, or from various other web pages on our Web Hub. We have also added Sheldon Faworski's Cloudy Nights ATM store under the Resource Links in the ATM, Parts, Supplies, & Manufacturers drop-down. Definitely some major ATM parts deals to be made with these two additions.

• Added Cloudy Nights user "ukcanuck" website called Skylight Telescopes and iStar Optical website to the ATM Part, Supplies, & Mannufacturers drop-down menu on the homepage of the VSC WebHub. Please check these sites out as your time permits!

• Added Rony De Laet's website to The VSC's Favorite Amateur Astronomer Websites and Observational Astronomy drop-down boxes under The VSC's Astronomical Resource Links section on our homepage.

• Added more up-to-date sites to the NASA News, Missions, Space Events drop-down on the home page. Please find the time to visit some of the websites under this drop-down category.

• Moved the VSC Amateur Showcase from the homepage to its own separate page. Makes for better organization and navigation.

• The construction of the 127mm f/9.4 BGRP Refractor OTA was completed on May 30, 2009. Check out the Vega News !!! page to check out some images of this instrument. The construction of the North Star II Field Tripod will commence soon.

• Added a great number of new website links under drop-down of the Resource Links on the homepage of the VSC. Please find a moment check check out them out.

• Updated link to Gary Russell's website under the ATM Links drop-down on the homepage.

• Added image of the globular cluster Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) taken by Curt Walker to the VSC Amateur Showcase on the homepage of VSC. The image is one of the preliminary test of his new home constructed 8" f/5 Astrograph.

• Added more websites to the drop-downs on the homepage.

• Pages for the OTA components for the 127mm f/9.4 VSC/ SAO/ BGRP Refractor have been added to Mel Dawson's SAO Gleanings session.

• Added an entry to the Vega News !!! page regarding the construction of the VSC/ VAO SuperCrew telescope array being performed by my colleague Gary Barabino. A construction overview of the project will be created. So please stay tuned for updates as this project evolves.

• Added Gold Mountain Observing Center, and Poor Man's Crayford Focuser links to the drop-down menus.

• Added a photo of Dennis Farr of the FarrOut Observatory with David Levy while they were in Sarasota, FL under the VSC Amateur Showcase and Vega News!!! sections on the WebHub.

• Added image of M64 to the VSC Amateur Showcase as captured by Kevin Reese with his Astro-Physics AP140 Apochromatic refractor.

• Added the "Light Bucket - Online Telescope Rental" to the "Interactive Online Astronomical Site" drop-down menu on the homepage of the VSC. This is an awesome online resource, which will allow amateurs to image (for a fee) their preferred objects using one of several 20" Richey-Chretien reflectors strategically place around the world. Currently, there is a "Test Drive" promotion going on to allow amateurs to try out these instruments for 60 minutes of use. The "Test Drive" promotion will only last until April 1, 2009, so sign up and give this new astronomical resource a try.

• I would like to shout out a universe sized Happy Birthday, to my mom, Mary Dawson. I wish she was here to share in my personal glory. I will never forget what you have done in my life, which has made me the man I am today. God Bless, and Happy Birthday, Mom!

• Gary Barabino has posted three Dessert Scope ED "Seben" eyepieces up for bids on eBay. Check out the VSC home page for details.

• Gary Barabino has posted for sale a 80mm f/11 modified Grampus refractor with EQ, tripod, three eyepieces, Barlow lens, and star diagonal on eBay. Starting price was $59.95, or Buy It Now for 79.95. We have added a link to it on the homepage of the VSC until it is sold.

• Added a link to the "ATM Suppliers" drop-down for the Cloudy Nights Classifieds. I do not know why this took me so long. Also added Astro Sky Telescopes & Astro Sky Piers to this drop-down menu.

• In the upcoming March/ April 2009 issue of Astronomy Technology Today, Mel Dawson will have his second published article posted called "The "North Star" Field Tripod". In the interim you can check out the construction overview of this wooden tripod on the VSC WebHub from the Vega News !!! page, or directly from HERE.

• Added additional links to drop-down menus on the VSC homepage. Also moved the VSC Honorary Members, and Vega News!!!, sections from the homepage to their own separate pages. This will aid in reducing load time of the homepage. More work will occur going forward. Hope this will help in making the VSC WebHub a more palatable experience.

• Officially declared and dedicated the upcoming 127mm f/9.4 refractor to good friend and amateur astronomer retired Brigadier General Richard Pierce for his support and service to this country, as well as his contributions to this great project. It will be called the SAO 127 f/9.4 'Brigadier General Richard Pierce' Refractor. More on the construction of this instrument will follow.

• Moved the VSC Affiliations section on the homepage to its own separate page to reduce the time it will take to load the home page. Other changes to the homepage will be made to reduce load time as well.

• To commemorate the 2nd Anniversary of the construction of the 10" SAO 10" f/5.6 Newtonian, the telescope has now been dedicated as the SAO 10" f/5.6 'Gary Barabino' Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector.

• Mel Dawson once again visits the FarrOut Observatory in Dade City, FL to partake in an observing session. You can check out the observation notes by clicking on the VSC Observation button near the top of the homepage, then clicking the Observations of the VSC button. Or, you can go directly to the page by clicking HERE.

I also added an observation covering the 2nd trip to the FOO, which occur on March 8th, 2008.

• There is a new comet currently gracing our morning skies. Its name is Comet Lulin (C/2007-N3). In preparation for this upcoming event, Gary Barabino of the VAO branch of the VSC has created a brief report to introduce the astronomical community of this upcoming event. To read Gary's report, go to the homepage of the VSC and go to the Vega News !!! section. The report is called "Recently discovered Comet Lulin Making an Appearance". Gary has also provided some useful link to aid in finding out more about the comet. So check it out when before its too late!

• Added new websites to several of the Resource Links on the homepage of the VSC WebHub.

January 05, 2009

• WebHub maintenance performed. Created a folder called "observations" to separately store the VSC's most noteworthy observing session. Makes for a more organized layout for the webmaster. Made other changes as needed.

• Moved the Moon, Venus, Jupiter Conjunction observation written by Chris Turner to the VSC Observations section of the WebHub.

• Removed eBay ad from homepage after Mel Dawson sold his Astro-Tech AT-80 refractor.

• Added the December 2008 issue cover to the Astronomy Technology Today Front Covers tribute page.

• Added a new drop-down box under the Resource Links section on the homepage of the VSC WebHub. It is called Observational Astronomical Links and will basically contain links to sites that touch this very thing. I look forward to adding more links to this new section to help those amateur who enjoy peering through  the eyepiece.

• Placed an observation report of the Moon, Venus, Jupiter Conjunction as provided by an old VSC friend Chris Turner on the homepage.

• Added two images taken by Curt Walker to his astrophotography page.

• We have changed the analog time zone clocks located above the Current Solar Images From SOHO section on the homepage to more easily discernable digital time zone clocks. We hope the change will suit the needs of amateurs in the field as well as at home.

• Upon doing a review of some of the sections of the VSC WebHub, we discovered a myriad of errors which required correcting. In the future I would hope that visits will email the VSC with any issues they run across on the WebHub that warrants fixing. Remember... This is your WebHub as well as ours. This will help to foster a more concise resource of information for all amateur astronomers to enjoy. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to your suggestions in making the Vega Sky Center Astronomical WebHub the best it can be.

• Also under the Vega News !!! section on the homepage of the VSC WebHub, we have added an image of M31 taken by Kevin Reese. He will have pages added to the Honorary VSC Members section in the future.

• More website links added to the "Resource Links" drop-down menus on the homepage of the VSC. And, we will keep them coming.

• We have added more websites to the drop-down menus under the Resource Links section on the homepage of the VSC WebHub. To many to mention, so please go through each category to see if anything pops out different from your last visit.

• Be on the lookout for a new Honorary VSC Member section for Kevin Reese. He is an accomplished Astrophotographer who also deserves recognition within the astronomical community.

• After a long time of wanting to create a page for Curt Walker to add to the Honorable VSC Members section of the VSC website, I have finally put it into place. Currently, I have only a smidgen of images for which Curt has produced  during his astrophotography escapades, but there are certain to be more added to his page. Curt is also partaking in a new 8" f/5 Newtonian Astrograph project that is sure to draw the interest of many an astrophotographer. To visit Curt's homepage, please click on the Home of the VSC button at the top of this page and then click the Honorable VSC Members. We are sure you will be quite enchanted with the capabilities of this gifted young man.

• Under the Vega News !!! section on the home page of the VSC WebHub, we conveyed to the astronomical community that Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson will have a new book released called The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet, slated to be released in January, 2009. A link is provided that will send you to his publication home page. It is sure to be a big hit.

• We have added Gary Parkerson's name to the list of individuals we gave thanks to for their support to the SAO 10" Fork Mounted Newtonian project. The construction pages can be found here.

• Added new navigation buttons at the top of the home page. They are: Our Beginnings, and Clear Sky Clocks. I got tired of scrolling down to see my Clear Sky Clock. Just lazy I guess.

• Due to many computer owners going to wide screen monitors, I have modified many of the pages on our WebHub to automatically display in the center of the browser. This makes for a much better view and flow through of the pages within specific ATM projects posted by the VSC. Hope you find this change worthwhile.

• We continue to modify the home page of the VSC to make it easier to navigate, as well as more pleasing to the eye. Yes, I know we use bright colors, but we enjoy the contrast. ;-) Hope you benefit from the changes.

• We have completed creating a separate page for the Astronomy Technology Today in tribute to their support to the VSC and the astronomical community. On this page, it will showcase all of the front cover pages of their magazines as they go into circulation. We hope this exposure will increate their subscriptions, for it has definitely been a long awaiting periodically for which we hope will serve amateurs for many years to come.

• Mel Dawson of the VSC/ SAO has built a heavy-duty wooden tripod for Gary Barabino of the VSC/ VAO to replace the damage tripod holding his CG-5 equatorial mount. A construction overview of the unit will be shown under the "SAO Gleaning Pages" soon. Please stay tuned!

• Oh! We have not forgotten the addition of Curt Walker to the "Honorary VSC Members" section of the website. We are collecting content to add to this section and hope to have his page ready soon.

• More links added to the "Resource Links" drop-downs section on the home page! We've included links which show the opposition dates for Saturn, and Mars as an addition to the link to the one we provided for Jupiter. Now there is no excuse for missing these critical planetary milestones. Additionally, a link to a sweet and free downloadable application provided by Microsoft called "Microsoft Research - WorldWide Telescope" under the "Astronomical Software and Downloads" drop-down. And we were not done!... We placed a link under the "Astronomical Clubs, Groups, Societies, ..." drop-down leading to the infamous Ian Ridpath's website, which showcases many of his editorialized publications such as Norton's Star Atlas. To rap it up for this update, the VSC has also added a new drop-down menu called "Miscellaneous Stuff" with the first underlying link being "Windows Live SkyDrive". A handy internet based file storage resource provided by Microsoft. More will follow. Hey! You can share many of your favorite astronomical images with observing buddies!. A great addition to our site indeed. We know you will enjoy these resources as much as we will. Also check out the new link called "Thanks for checking them out.

• The VSC has added quite a few new websites to its "Resource Links" drop-downs. So please sift through the links to see if you find something interesting, or that would aid in your astronomical desires. We have also added time clocks to the from home page. They are located above the current solar images, and lunar phases section. The section has been renamed "Current US Time Zones, Solar Images, and Lunar Phase". Hope this addendum will be of help to many an amateur.

• We added a link to a slew of videos with Tom Trusock of Cloudy Nights attending NEAF 2008 via "blip.tv". Hope everyone gets the opportunity to see them.

• The clock drive for the SAO 10" f/5.6 Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector has been completed! The drive shipment from Eric Moerman should arrive soon here at the VSC/ SAO. More updates to follow.

• Stay tuned for the induction of another addition to the "Honorary VSC Member" section of our WebHub. The astrophotography work of Curt Walker will be featured along with some of his other projects.

• We are pleased to add Ronald Plummer's new astronomical website, "Optical Astronomy.com" within the "Astronomical Online Forums", and "Astronomical Education, and Knowledge" drop-down menus under "The VSC's Astronomical Resource Links" section on our home page. A link has also been placed in the affiliate section on the homepage. Please find some time to go to Ron's website and share your thoughts. We are happy to be affiliated with Ron's website.

• Gary Barabino is currently working on the 2005 volume of the "Vega Astronomical Journal" The SAO 10" Fork Mounted Newtonian reflector is on the verge of being motorize. The above items have been mention in the "Vega News !!!" section on the home page of the VSC WebHub.

• The VAO and SAO performed a joint remote observation session on March 16th, thru March 17th using our meager Jason 313 Discoverer refractors. In utilizing some of our more pristine performing oculars with these instrument, we were able to pull out some of the best capabilities of the objective these little scopes had to offer. Much better than the Huygen eyepieces that come standard with them. As a follow-up to the session, I put together a web page covering the session. It can be found under the "Note Worthy Observations Recorded by the VSC" section on our WebHub. Here is a direct link: Joint VAO-SAO Observing Session - 03/16-17/2008

• We are proud to announce the creation of a new section called "Noteworthy Observations Recorded by the VSC". This new section will host some of the VSC's noteworthy observances of celestial objects. With detailed information and commentary, we hope everyone will enjoy seeing and reading the observations we record. They may even kindle fires of inspiration and spark interest in the great hobby of astronomy among the young and old! We truly hope they do. Be on the lookout for a new section called "The VSC Celestial Wonders", which will cover a multitude of general observations divided into sections (i.e. Planets, Double Stars, Open Star Clusters, Globular Clusters, etc.) They will come in the form of sketches and astrophotography. Sort of an addendum to the "Noteworthy Observations Recorded by the VSC" section.

• The SAO observed the Total Lunar Eclipse of February 20 - 21, 2008. You can find a detailed overview with images under the "Noteworthy Observations Recorded by the VSC" section.

• More website links have been added to the drop-downs. This section (located on the homepage) has been renamed from "Favorite Links" to the more appropriate name of "Resource Links".

• Restructuring of our Astronomical WebHub continues. Some of the changes are as follows: The main link to the pages of the construction of the SAO 10" f/5.6 Fork Mounted Newtonian has been moved from the homepage and placed under the new "SAO Gleaning Pages" section, which is accessible from the homepage. I decided that Gary and I should have separate sections representing both of our private home-based observatories. Especially since we both live in different cities in the USA. Gary's section is call "VAO Gleaning Pages". This also will personalize our individual projects and efforts.

• New homepage navigation buttons have been instituted. This change we aid in the esthetics of the WebHub. Hope everyone likes the modification.

• Gary Barabino continues to work at a feverish pace completing the Vega Astronomical Journals ravaged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina back on August 29, 2005. Thus far, Gary has resurrecting 18 of the volumes. He is currently working on the 1998 volume and is hope to finish restoring the 1999 volume by March 08, 2008. Godspeed, Bambina!

• Restructuring and reorganizing of the website continues. More work will be performed to make it even better. Please stay tune for future updates and new features.

• More sites added to the VSC's "Favorite Links" drop-downs on the homepage. We have added "CalSKY" and "NGC/IC Project Database" to the "General Astronomical Data, and Information" drop-down. Also added "CalSKY" to the "Online/ Web Based Astronomical Maps, Charts, Observation Logs/ Data Recording" drop-down. In addition, we instilled the "Nation Mosaic - Full Resolution" USA precipitation real-time map to the "Weather, Time, and Satellite Tracking Sites" drop-down. Additional how-to and DIY sites were added. 

• We are in the process of reorganizing our website. The changes will involve cleaning up our home page and reducing its size to aid in navigation to the websites internal features, stories, and information. We hope the changes will foster an enjoyable experience for our visitors. Changes will occur on an impromptu basis, so we hope everyone visits often. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or have suggestions, please email us at: vsc-astronomers@vega-sky-center.com

• Check out the "Vega News!" section on our homepage for information on G. Barabino's efforts to restore the VSC's VAO Astronomical Journals. This major project will focus on the restoration of our past history as documented since August of 1970. Nearly lost in the devastation of Hurricane Katrina's wrath, they are current being meticulous preserved. Look for more web pages portraying their restoration as "Bam" takes on this monumental task.

• Added additional websites to drop-down menus on the homepage. This includes a wealth of new ATM Suppliers, and others. Check them out at your leisure.

• Moved Gary's Hurricane Katrina presentation and PAS articles from the VSC's homepage to the "Gleanings from the Vega Astronomical Observatory" (Gary's Observatory homepage). Go to Gary's homepage by accessing it from the VSC's homepage. Hope you enjoy... There is much more to come from the VAO!

January 15, 2008

• Added new websites that allow visitors to check weather conditions and to get accurate times in their respective locations worldwide. Check the "Weather, Time, and Satellite Tracking Sites" drop-down box on the VSC's home page for new links. Hope these will help amateur's effectively in far away lands throughout the world. Enjoy!

• Recently, Gary Barabino gave a presentation on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on family and hobby of astronomy back on August 24, 2007. Now that the presentation is behind him, the September edition of the PAS-Times has been released and contains a short article in review. It can be accessed from the VSC homepage.

• A new drop-down section has been added to the "The Vega Sky Center's Favorites Websites" called "Astrophotography Links and Websites". Rather than list all of the sites we have in place currently, why not check out the list yourself! Many more links in this section will follow.

• The October, 2007 issue of "Astronomy Technology Today" is on the market. Get your copy today!

• We have posted a link to Gary Barabino's MS PowerPoint presentation entitled "The Vega Observatory - The Katrina Experience" under the "Gleanings from the VAO" page on our website. It is also accessible from a link under the "Vega News!!!" section on the home page. We have also added a link to the PASTimes August, 2007 edition that covered the presentation. This is a "must see" for all amateurs. Modified parts of the home page to make it appear more  organized and have a better flow.

• To aid amateurs interested in downloading the "VSC Observer's Data Sheet", we have changed the document to PDF format. This will alleviate the need for an unzipping application required by the previous file we stored on the site. This file can be opened with the free version of the Adobe AcroReader application. We hope this change will make downloading and saving the file more convenient for our visitors.

• Added new button called "Vega News !!!" to the navigation buttons at the top of the home page of our website. Place a sequence of photos of the Total Lunar Eclipse of August 28, 2007 as taken by Mel Dawson during the event under the Vega News !!! section on the home page.

• Added Jack Herkamp's "Waning Moon II" private observatory website link to the "The VSC's Favorite Amateur Astronomer Websites" drop-down box.

• Gary Barabino will be giving a presentation called "The Vega Observatory - The Katrina Experience" to the Ponchartrain Astronomical Society in New Orleans, LA at the University of New Orleans Science Building in room 1001 on August 24, 2007, at 7:30 EDT. This presentation will focus on the destruction and resurrection of Gary's private Observatory and his efforts to rebuild his collection of telescopic instructions as well as his collection of Astronomical Journals. This is indeed a milestone in the VSC's history! We hope this event will help other amateurs in keeping steadfast in their dreams and aspirations in their day-to-day lives.

• Changed First Quarter photo taken by G. Barabino to his photo of the craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus, and Arzachel just past First Quarter on 11-12-2006 using his 4.5" Tasco Luminove and Gateway DTC-50 digital camera combination.

• Changed Last Quarter photo taken of the Moon on 01-21-2006 using my 90mm Konusmotor Refractor and Olympus C-4000z combination to a closeup photo of the First Quarter Moon taken with my 4.5" f/8 Cosmos/ Grampus Newtonian Reflector and SP-500uz combination.

• Added the "Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area" "Clear Sky Clock" to the home page. "ScopeStuff - Telescope Accessories and Hardware" website was added to the "ATM Suppliers" drop-down box on the home page. Included "RTGUI +S - Real-Time Astronomy Program" to the "Astronomical Software" drop-down. We have include "ScopeTrader Live! Astronomy Videos" link to the "Online Astronomical Audio, Video, and TV Streams..." drop-down box on the home page. Enjoy!

• Added "AstronomyClubs.com - the KNOWLEDGE in NUMBERS" to the "Astronomical Clubs, Groups, Societies, Planetariums, Magazines, Books, and Trivia" drop-down box. This is a great site that aids amateurs in finding astronomy clubs in their respective living areas within the United States, Canada, and the United Kindom.

• Added link to "Stellarium" a 3D planetarium software website to the " "Astronomical Software (Free Downloads!)" drop-down box on the home page. This is a really nice software package that is totally free open source. So download a copy NOW! Also added a link to "ASTRONOMYBUFF - Astronomy You Can Use" website to the "General Astronomical Information..." drop-down box on the home page.

• Re-categorized several of the links under the "The VSC's Favorite Websites" drop-down boxes. Added a new drop-down category called "Past, Current, and Upcoming Observable Astronomical Events" to the Vega's favorite websites. Renamed "General and Real-Time Astronomical, Data, and Images" to "General Astronomical Information, and Data", after re-categorizing the drop-down boxes.

• After paying a visit to the FarrOut.org Observatory, a great group of fellow amateurs and remote observing facility just to the east of Dade City, FL, I had to add this link to a couple of drop-down categories on the home page under the Vega's Favorite Websites section - "Astronomical, Groups, Societies...", and the "The VSC's Favorite Amateur Astronomer...".  All it took was one visit to this locale to fall in love with it. Simply awesome!

• Moved "Home Page Navigation" buttons to the top of home page. Added "Top of Page" buttons throughout the home page to aid in maneuvering on the home page.

• Changed my (SAO) "Clear Sky Clock" on the home page from "Brandon, FL" to "Alafia River State Park, FL". This new location is closer to my home.

• Improved the entrance to the web site by adding "Home Page Navigation" buttons near the top of the home page under our logo and title. This will allow website visitors the ability of quickly going to specific sections on the home page. This will definitely aid in ease of maneuvering the site.

• Renamed the "Telescope, and Astronomical Reviews" drop-down box title to "Astronomical Ratings, and Reviews"

• Added the "AstronomyRatings.com" website to the "Astronomical Ratings, and Reviews" drop-down menu on the home page.

• Added "Registax 4 Help Manual" to the "Astronomical Software..." drop-down list. Added "IP4AP.COM" link to "Astronomical Education..." drop-down menu. The site offers classes in Astrophotography.

•     Added "AstroShorts.com" to the "Online Astronomical Audio, Video..." drop-down menu. They host great videos pertaining to astronomy and space science. 

• Also added "INIFINI-TEES" website to the "ATM Supplier" drop-down menu. They offer really nice astronomical T-Shirts and caps. Added "AstroTrac" to the "ATM Suppliers" drop-down. A nice drive system for cameras and small telescopic instruments.

• Added "Barry Crist - Maker of Miniature Ornamental Telescope Replicas" of prominently known telescopes to the "Home-Made ATM Projects..." drop-down menu.

• Added "Protostar" to the "ATM Supplies" drop-down menu collection. They offer spider-vanes and secondary holders, as well as telescope tubes.

• Added "Eyepiece Reviews" site to the "ATM Suppliers" drop-down menu.

• Shuffled around some of the sections of the home page to create a better flow since it is getting a bit busy. In the future, content on the home page of the VSC will be split into separate pages to reduce clutter.

• Added "Len Marek's Astronomy" website to the "VSC Favorite Amateur Astronomer..." and "Home-Made ATM Projects..." drop-down links under the "Vega Sky Center Favorite Websites" section on our home page. I was very surprised and happy to find another amateur website that is similar to ours in many respects. Len's site is definitely a "must see". We hope to see his website flourish among the top sites we have encountered.

• Added "Windows to the Universe" website to the "Astronomical Education, and Knowledge" drop-down menu on the home page.

• Added the "Astro E2/ Sukaku (XRS) X-ray Spectrometer", "Spitzer Space Telescope" links to the "Astronomical News, Space Events, and Missions" drop-down list on our home page.

• Posted and sold on eBay two eyepieces. A 8mm GSO WA and a 11mm GSO UWA eyepieces.

• Added eBay store for "SurplusShed" to the "ATM Supplies" drop-down box under the "Vega Sky Center's Favorite Websites" section on the home page.

• Updated and added new photos to Gary "Bam" Barabino's telescope collection on the VAO telescope pages. You can check them out here =>

• Added photos depicting the completed Sirius Astronomical Observatory's 10" f/5.6 Fork Mounted Reflector to construction pages.

• Performed URL repairs to several of the links under Drop-Down boxes and removed dead links.

• Added new Drop-Down Box called "Astronomical Online Forums", which will grow with time. Currently we have added "Cloudy Nights", "Astronomy Daily", "60mm Telescope Club", and "Bad Astronomy".

• Added photo of Gary Barabino to front of website.

• Added various new sites to several of the Drop-Down Box categories such "ATM Supplies", and "Astronomical Software..."

• Added photos of the Moon/ Venus Conjunction to home page as conducted on 02-19-2007 by Mel Dawson and Curt Walker. Changed image of VSC SAO 10" f/5.6 Fork Mounted Newtonian to include an image of the completed telescope with me (Mel Dawson) in the picture.

• Added new links to "ATM Suppliers" - "R. F. Royce Precision Optical Components", and "Olivon Scopes and Optics".

February 21, 2007

• Submitted an article on the construction of the Vega Sky Center's "Sirius Astronomical Observatory" 10" f/5.6 Dawsonian-Bourge Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector to Gary Parkerson, Managing Editor of the new astronomy magazine, Astronomy Technology Today. The article will appear in the premiere issue of the mag slated for April, 2007. Please subscribe by going to http://www.astronomytechnologytoday.com .

• Added two new categories to the "The Vega Sky Center's Favorite Websites" section on the homepage . They are "The VSC's Favorite Amateur Astronomer and ATM Websites" and "Home-made ATM Projects & Equipment Sites". Under the first we have added two new links: "ALCOVE Database - by Gamze & Haldun I. Menali", and "Messier Marathon". Under the second, we have added one: "ALCOVE Database - Haldun I. Menali's 8" Newtonian Project". These list for these sections are guaranteed to grow rather quick, so continue to stay tuned.

Other major modifications to "The VSC's Favorite Amateur Astronomer and ATM Websites" today include the addition of the "StarryHost - Unforgettable School Assemblies in Astronomy" to the "Astronomical Education, and Knowledge", the "Tampa Bay McIDAS Weather Satellite" to the "Weather, Time, and Satellite Tracking" Drop-Down lists. Change the phrase "Welcome to the Website of the" to "Welcome to the Astronomical Web Hub of the" on the homepage of our VSC website.

February 05, 2007

• I would like to report that the main construction phase of the SAO 10" Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector has been completed! With the addition of pages covering the Finishing and Assembly processes located under the "Construction of the SAO 10" f/5.6 Fork Mounted Newtonian" page, we have concluded one of the most important projects ever performed by the Vega Sky Center. A definite milestone in the VSC's history has been made. Keep an eye out for photographs of the completed telescope project.

January 08, 2007

• Added "SKY-MAP.ORG" website to the "Astronomical Maps, Charts..." drop-down list under the VSC's Favorite Websites section on the home page.

January 07, 2007

• Added "A. Jaegers, Jr. Optics, Inc.", "Galaxy Optics", "Swayze Optical",  "NOVA Optical Systems", "Pegasus Optics", "R. F. Royce - Precision Optical Components", "Teleport Telescopes (with Zambuto Optics)" and "MAG 1 Instruments" websites to the "ATM Suppliers" Drop-Down list.

• Added the "STEREO Solar Mission" website to the "Astronomical News, Space Events, and Missions" Drop-Down List.

January 05, 2007

• Added the "HINODE (Solar-B)" website to the "Astronomical News, Space Events, and Missions" Drop-Down List.

• Made corrections to the Fork Mount Base top view design diagrams under the "Component Design Plans" page for the SAO 10" Newtonian Reflector.

January 02, 2007

• Modified "Desert Scopes" eBay store URL under the "ATM Suppliers" Drop-Down list.

• Created and added top view design (opaque and x-ray) diagrams for the Fork Mount Base to the "Component Design Plans" section under the construction section/ pages of the 10 inch f/5.65 SAO Newtonian Reflector.

January 01, 2007

• Added "Stellarview eBay Store" website link to the "ATM Suppliers" Drop-Down menu on the home page.

• Added "Fundamental of Astronomy..." website link to the "Astronomical Education..." Drop-Down menu on the home page.

• Added "EXCELSIS Equipment Reviews" website link to the "Telescope, and Astronomical Equipment Reviews" Drop-Down menu on the home page.

• Corrected link to "Orion Telescopes" URL under the "ATM Suppliers" Drop-Down list on the home page.

• Added "William Optics" website link to the "ATM Suppliers" Drop-Down menu on the home page.

December 27, 2006

• Added "Qwikcast.com" website link to the "Weather, Time, Satellites..." Drop-Down menu on the home page.

• Added "Bad Astronomy" website link (created by Phil Plait) to the "Astronomical Clubs, Groups, Societies..." Drop-Down menu on the home page.

December 23, 2006

• Added Australia's Amateur Astronomy Community website "IceInSpace" to "Astronomy, Clubs, Groups..." Drop-Down menu on the home page.

• Added translation of website to Russian. See Russian flag under the "Translate Entire VSC Website" section on the home page.

• Moved the "Latest Updates to the VSC Website" section from the home page to its own separate page.

• Submitted membership request to "Amateur Astronomy" via WebRing. See the affiliates section on the home page.

December 21, 2006

• Removed "DBA Astronomy Products, and Services" from the "ATM Suppliers" Drop-Down list above. They have recently merged with "Anttlers Optics". "Anttlers Optics" is not on the Drop-Down list of ATM Suppliers on the VSC website.

• Added "Nightfire Scientific" main website and their eBay store to the "ATM Suppliers" Drop-Down list on the home page.

• Added links to "Jamie Beckett's" new novel, "Burritos and Gasoline" at the bottom of the home page.

December 16, 2006

• The VSC gains membership acceptance into the "Astronomy Ring" Web Ring (see affiliations on the home page).

• Added two new real-time views of the solar surface as captured by the SOHO EIT (Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope), under wavelengths of 195 Angstroms for the extreme left image, and 304 Angstroms on the extreme right image. (see Current Solar Images on the home page)

• Added "eZipSky" link to the "General and Real-Time Astronomical Information..." Drop-Down list on the home page.

December 15, 2006

• Added "Stellafane", "St. Petersburg Astronomy Club", "John Dobson's Official Website" and "The Local Deep Sky Observers" links to the "Astronomical Clubs, Groups, Societies, Planetariums, Magazines, Books, and Trivia" Drop-Down list on the home page.

December 5 - 12, 2006

• Added "Taki's Star Atlas" link - a collection of free downloadable PDF file based star charts. Go to the "Astronomical Maps, Charts, Observation Logs ..." drop-down menu under the "...Vega Favorite Websites" section above. This is an awesome atlas! Thanks to Thomas Jensen of the "60mm Telescope Club" for the tip.

• Added subscription link for the "60mm Telescope Club" Yahoo Group under the "The Vega Sky Center's Affiliations" section on the home page.

• Added subscription link for the "Telescope" Yahoo Group under the "The Vega Sky Center's Affiliations" section on the home page.

• Added subscription link for the "Telescope Making" CrickRock Group under the "The Vega Sky Center's Affiliations" section on the home page.

• Added current image/ link of the Sun, as provided by SOHO to the "Current Astronomical Events ..." section on the home page.

• Addition of translations for several countries (see Flags at top of home page) around the world to view our website in different languages. We hope to add more countries as they become available.

• Added "ASTROWIRE" billboard, which contain links to current astronomical and space events. It is updated weekly. So, check it out often!

• Astronomically centered ads that help visiting Amateur Astronomers find some of the best equipment available from prominently established companies.

• Added "Destiny (Curved Vane Telescope Spider)" website link to the "ATM Suppliers" Drop-Down list on the home page.

• Added "Vixen Direct" website to "ATM Suppliers" Drop-Down list above. Vixen has a big sale going on for the 2006 Christmas Holiday Season!

• Added "How to determine Microscope Eyepiece Focal Length" to the "Astronomical Education, and Knowledge" Drop-Down list on the home page.

Thanks for visiting our Astronomical WebHub !!!