tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46240695088830790842009-11-09T14:04:07.008-08:00Mostly astronomy, but occasionally I divert off into some other area...Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-48039329511188862452009-11-05T15:18:00.001-08:002009-11-05T15:18:30.122-08:00

Just checking to see if i can text from my android to my blog

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-8670881704940252312009-11-03T10:05:00.000-08:002009-11-03T10:17:11.487-08:00

How To Find Very Good Free Software I love free stuff, especially free stuff that is really good and badly needed, like free software that I can use to support my new home-based small business. I recently spent a couple of hours checking to see if I could find free accounting and project management software, and I'm delighted to report that the answer is 'yes'. If you are interested in

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-79346386422110529362009-06-29T07:35:00.001-07:002009-06-29T07:39:03.226-07:00

This weekend would have been perfect for viewing, but I just couldn't get it all together. I had to work on Saturday, and was too tired Saturday night to drag everything out there, and get it all set up. Besides, all of the work I have done on Spring viewing is now 'for not'... it's summer...So I'll now target the next new moon is July 21st. That should be plenty of time for me to get my

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-26421022781277213552009-05-20T09:43:00.001-07:002009-05-20T09:46:23.410-07:00

It looks like this will be the weekend to finally get out and peer into the night! I have a nice long three day weekend with no moon and good weather. It doesn't get much better than that. I will probably need to do some updating on my tours, but that will be a pleasure. BRING IT ON!!

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-55426145129011805142009-04-29T06:42:00.001-07:002009-04-29T09:21:23.923-07:00

In typical but always-surprising-to-me fashion, it's snowing in Central Oregon. There is about an inch of snow left over from yesterday, and it's snowing 'as we speak'. Despite my tendency to complain about it, the variety of meterological experiences is one of the main things I love about living in this area. Of course, that means all of the astronomy projects are on hold, but that's OK. That's

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-13909943364522958482009-04-22T09:11:00.000-07:002009-04-22T09:34:22.519-07:00

I finally got my first Autostar auto tour program to load. The main problem was that I didn't understand that just because I had an option to add a title or a description, that I HAD to add it. The instructions for the USER line are as follows:USER ra dec "title string" "description string"This command line allows you to access a specific object with your own description.Enter USER, then the RA

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-67884869858803383052009-04-16T09:01:00.000-07:002009-04-16T09:05:21.417-07:00

Am finally getting back on track after a brief but intense episode of either allergies or a very bad cold. It was the coughing that about did me in. In any case, it's much better now, so I'm looking forward to getting back on track with my projects. Vera bought us some really nice reclining outdoor chairs... perfect to lay back with the binoculars and study the sky on dark spring evening.

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-80392681900389957512009-04-09T12:06:00.001-07:002009-04-09T12:11:08.618-07:00

Despite being home with bad allergies today (juniper junk), I managed to update my ETX125 with several of the Eagle Creek Doubles Tours: Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Leo Minor, and Lynx are all ready to go. It was easier than I expected. Maybe spending significant time dusting, polishing, exercising, and speaking gently to the telescope encouraged it to behave. I also cleaned all of my accessory

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-41461637611239321742009-04-03T10:37:00.000-07:002009-04-04T16:43:13.553-07:00

Modify Eagle Creek's auto tours Download Saguaro's double star database to include with auto tour: doneFind out if RA/DEC needs to be updated: noFind out if autostar software needs to be updated: do NOT update!!Bring out the beast and see if it will cooperate: oh, alright...

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-66557028252269996902009-03-28T10:19:00.000-07:002009-03-30T11:35:13.286-07:00

Well, I'm going to have to pull my telescope out of hibernation and see if I can encourage it to behave. This is always a real challenge. It is as if the scope needs a heavy dose of glucosmine after being inactive for so long. Don't I wish it were that easy!!I've had two scopes and both of them have been extremely difficult to calibrate. I'm not even going to talk about the first one.. piece

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-79536753112112421922009-03-17T12:13:00.000-07:002009-03-28T09:14:27.483-07:00

It's March 17th and I'm longing for clear skys and warmer nights. There was a time when I would not let 30-degree-or-below weather stop me from setting up my telescope and observing the stars, but not lately.. just don't want the pain. So I'll wait patiently.. one never knows in Central Oregon when spring will arrive. Last year it was early June. I'll be back when it clears up / warms up.

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-50219498031311983092008-06-18T13:31:00.000-07:002008-08-06T12:59:50.891-07:00

I've experienced Zen Astronomy before. I know that it is possible to manage all of the equipment that goes into viewing the Universe and still maintain a Zen state of mind. I know what it feels like when the observer, the observed, and the observing tools all work together. I just want more of it.I've tripped over my last cord. I've tripped over my last tripod leg. I've thrown my last fit

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624069508883079084.post-87023400667874429082008-05-28T11:49:00.000-07:002008-08-06T20:38:48.816-07:00

I recently downloaded some music to my ipod that I could enjoy while star gazing. Here's the playlist:Good Morning Starshine, Stage Door Orchestra Moon River, Andy WilliamsYou Are the Sunshine of My Life, Stevie WonderCatch a Falling Star, Perry ComoFly Me To the Moon, Johnny MathisRocket Man, Elton JohnPaint the Sky with Stars, EnyaMoonlight Serenade, Carly SimonHere Comes the Sun, 1 Voice Peace

Julienovagrantconsulting@gmail.com0