Statement

For more than thirty years I have wanted to compile some simple notes to support my interest in binocular astronomy. I wanted some brief material that I could use to quickly and easily refresh my memory before heading out for an observing session. I believe that it is appropriate for me to include this material inside Nightfolio as of course my star-gazing is an aspect of my own "portrait of night", but my astro notes here are an untypical aspect of my site, the majority of which is made over to show my personal photography.

My photographs of landscapes, architecture and Avebury that form the major subject matter of Nightfolio are my own work, and the Avebury project in particular contains both original images and many of my own original deductions derived from these.

My Binocular Favourites notes, divided into four observing seasons, are completely different in intention and execution, these astro notes are basically scraps of other people's insights that I have summarized myself for my own use. I claim no authorship or credit for them, and I trust that my use of the quotations will be considered "fair use". I should add though that the Lunar Notes, such as they are, are my own observations.

It might be wondered why my notes often describe features of stars that can never ever been seen in mere binoculars. Through such small instruments I often find that the tiny dots of stellar light can require a lot of imagination and some more detailed knowledge to appreciate deeply. If I understand something profoundly interesting about a particular star then my observations of it become correspondingly enriched and awe inspiring, however small the instrument. We all need that “overwhelming and bewildering sense of connection with a startling universe that is usually far beyond the narrow band of our consciousness.” -  Paul Pearsall. I can never now look at the orange dot of Betelgeuse without thinking of Siwarha plowing doggedly through the larger star's bloated atmosphere, I can never now look at Fomalhaut without wondering at the titanic collisions of asteroids in its solar system, I can never now look at Arcturus without marvelling that I am quite probably looking at a star born long ago in another, long defunct, galaxy.

Overall Serviss put it well (p29) "But, after all, no one can expect to derive from such studies as these any genuine pleasure or satisfaction unless he is mindful of the real meaning of what he sees".