BMAA Monthly Meeting

BMAA is inviting you to a scheduled Monthly Meeting.
In addition to our regular agenda items there will be a Special Presentation on "Star Trackers" by John Urbanchuk.

This presentation will cover the basics of using a star tracker with a DSLR or small telescope. Star trackers are relatively simple devices that allow the astrophotographer to take images that avoid star trails. Best suited for DSLRs and wide angle or telescopic lenses. I will describe what a star tracker is, what is best at doing, what to look for when buying one, how to estimate exposure time before stars begin to track, and polar alignment, I also will discuss several popular star trackers and their price, including the new smart telescopes and show some examples of the images I have taken with my trackers.

Please use the entrance to the right of the main entrance, look for the yellow and black BMAA sign.

In addition to our regular agenda items there will be a Special Presentation on "Electronically Assisted Astronomy" by Gary Sprague

This presentation will describe elements of Electronic Assisted Astronomy (EAA); what is it, how it differs from “standard” astrophotography and its applications. EAA is an approach to real-time visual observing using analog and digital video cameras. It offers a different approach from standard astrophotography and can be less complicated and more affordable. Images are viewed in real time on a monitor or a computer. The presentation will describe typical equipment available and advantages of various approaches.

Please use the entrance to the right of the main entrance, look for the yellow and black BMAA sign.

BMAA is inviting you to a scheduled Monthly Meeting.
In addition to our regular agenda items there will be a Special Presentation on "Binoculars Stargazing" by Gary Sprague. Bring your own binos and share your experience using them with the group!

This presentation will cover the use of binoculars for stargazing including a background of the development of binoculars, elements of binocular design, different types and their advantages. We will also cover parameters and definitions as well as design considerations and their utility. We will describe various approaches for using binoculars for astronomy. Finally, we will describe commercially available binoculars and members will be encouraged to bring and demonstrate how they selected and use their own binoculars.

Please use the entrance to the right of the main entrance, look for the yellow and black BMAA sign.

BMAA is inviting you to a scheduled Monthly Meeting.
In addition to our regular agenda items there will be a Special Presentation "Smart Telescopes: Technology and Experiences" by Co-VP John Urbanchuk. 

Smart telescopes appear to have taken the amateur astronomy world by storm. Rapid advances in optic design and product development led by ZWO Seestar line and DwarfLabs Dwarf 3, Dwarf Mini and recently introduced Draco are making astronomy in general and astrophotography in particular more available to a wider audience enticed by  reasonable cost of entry and ease of use. This presentation led by BMAA Co-VP John Urbanchuk will describe current smart telescope technology, review the pros and cons of smart telescopes, and discuss what new technologies may be on the horizon. The Dwarf Mini donated to BMAA and various Seestar models will be demonstrated by BMAA members. The presentation will end with a group discussion aimed at answering the question “ what would you most like to see in a new smart telescope”?
Please use the entrance to the right of the main entrance, look for the yellow and black BMAA sign

BMAA is inviting you to a scheduled Monthly Meeting.
In addition to our regular agenda items there will be a Special Presentation "The Palomar Observatory" by Don Knabb. 

Please use the entrance to the right of the main entrance, look for the yellow and black BMAA sign