About 137 filtered results
by Christopher Witt · Posted
Typically, discussions centered around introducing people to stargazing focus on children and adolescents, but I think that is too limiting. The reality is that there are as many and varied people who are interested in, and excited about, learning astronomy but are either confused about where to start or are unaware of the progress technology and manufacturing processes have made in recent years that make stargazing as simple as it is fascinating and rewarding. In this piece, we’ll look at different age groups and people with specific
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Before I reveal my deep love for the Leica APO-Televid 77 spotting scope, I wish to tell you all that I am not easily enamored with every item that B&H Photo sells, adorned with the famous “Red Dot” of Leica. That addiction afflicts my father (and many others), but not I. I do own two Leica lenses—my architectural workhorse, the 1980s vintage 28mm f/2.8 PC Super Angulon R (made by Schneider) and a 1970s vintage 35mm f/2 Summicron (made in
by Christopher Witt · Posted
Spoiler: It’s REALLY BRIGHT! I wait at a stop light and feel my truck rock side to side as it’s buffeted by a gust of wind coming off the water of Oyster Bay Harbor. Glancing down at my dash, I read the temperature display: 33° F. Without the wind chill. I stare at it and question my intelligence. When I get to the Center Island Causeway on the shore of the Long Island Sound I know that, with wind, it’ll feel like it’s in the low 20-degree range. They say that misery loves company, but I still felt a twinge of guilt knowing that I convinced my
by Christopher Witt · Posted
Since its introduction at the dawn of the 21st century, the Ultravid HD-Plus family of binoculars has been Leica’s flagship line, to the adoration of fans around the world. This year the company is taking the precision engineering and optical quality that are the hallmarks of the Ultravid HD-Plus and elevating the design elements to produce the
by Christopher Witt · Posted
Winter is here and we all need to dress appropriately while we’re outside—whether we’re working or playing. Dressing right is important for any number of reasons—from just being comfortable on a chilly windy day all the way to avoiding debilitating frostbite (which, according to the Mayo Clinic, can occur in less than 30 minutes!)… and remember, frostbite can get you anywhere your skin is exposed, in places such as ears, nose, or random patches
by Staff Writer · Posted
Bringing the accuracy of pinpoint distance measurement with a range of up to 2,800 yards, the new Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM is the first compact Leica laser rangefinder capable of a Bluetooth connection to your mobile device equipped with the new Leica Hunting App. The wireless connection also works with your Kestrel Elite weather meter.
The Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM gives a 7 x 24 optical view of your target with 15mm eye relief
by Christopher Witt · Posted
With the upcoming total lunar eclipse poised to be the “Big Thing” for 2019 (visible throughout North America), we here at B&H’s Space Headquarters were planning on putting together a tour of the moon as a primer for those readers who may not know that much about our closest neighbor in the solar system… but then we realized that NASA is pretty awesome at stuff like that and had already put together a fantastic video!
Click and enjoy the best five minutes you’ll spend today with this
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Hey, Earthlings! There will be a total lunar eclipse coming our way, beginning on Sunday, January 20 2019, and lasting into the 21st! Here are some facts you need to know.
Who is involved?
You! Your friends and family! The Sun, Moon, and Earth!
What is it?
An awesome, total lunar eclipse.
The darkest shaded areas of the globe are where the entire eclipse is visible from start to finish. Moving outward from that region,
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
I am certain that I am not the only Earthling who is in love with the moon, but it was my grandmother who called it "Todd's Moon" after one of the first words I ever spoke was, simply, "moon." Ever since those early days, I have spent a lot of time looking at the moon, thinking about the moon, reading about the moon, and photographing the moon.
To learn about the moon in the olden days, a lunar enthusiast would have to go to their local
by Christopher Witt · Posted
Remnants left over from the earliest formation of our solar system, comets are thought to originate from the theoretical Oort Cloud. Located far out beyond even the farthest planet, it is thought to contain as many as 2 trillion objects, each of which has the potential to become a long-period comet. These objects are often referred to as “dirty snowballs” because they are mostly made of rock and ice until gravity from a large passing celestial body, like a star, pulls a piece out of the Oort belt and starts it on its journey toward the sun.
by Christopher Witt · Posted
From personal experience, whenever I try to describe to someone who’s never seen what the rings of Saturn look like through a telescope or how a sunspot moves and changes shape as it transits the chromosphere over the course of weekend, there is definitely something lost in the telling. Wouldn’t it be great if even a novice astronomer with just some basic gear and knowledge could capture their own images of heavenly bodies to post on social media or (to go old-school) print them and hang on a wall?
Well, wish no more, dear reader! We live in
by Christopher Witt · Posted
When I started hearing the buzz in the astronomy community about how Comet 46P/Wirtanen was coming in hot through our Solar System, my ears proverbially perked up. A quick Google search revealed that this is a truly historic apparition and one that justly deserves the buzz. (The term “apparition,” in astronomy, refers to the appearance or time when a comet, especially a periodic one, is visible.)
The comet was discovered, in 1948, by Carl Wirtanen (hence its name) at the Lick Observatory,
by Meryl Greenblatt · Posted
With the fall season upon us and bird migration going full throttle, bird-watchers and their best friends—their binoculars—are out in force. I took this opportunity to try two new pairs from Olympus, the Pro Series 8x42 and 10x42. At
by Morgan Lyle · Posted
Whether you’re a youngster with an interest in astronomy or a young-at-heart stargazer, selecting a first telescope can be a bit daunting. You want a telescope that’s capable, easy to use, and designed for users just beginning to explore the night sky. Levenhuk, the American optics brand focused on user-friendly products, checks all these boxes with the Strike 90 PLUS Refractor Telescope Kit.
by Christopher Witt · Posted
Now that the March of the Planets is winding down, I’d bet you’re wondering what astronomical wonders await us in the back half of the year. Well, wonder no more! The Perseid Meteor Shower is coming, and it’s the biggest shower of the year, hitting its peak on the night of August 12-13, 2018.
Before we get too far, let’s take a step back and talk about what a meteor shower is. Showers occur when the earth passes