Kendall Nelson from Big Bang Astronomy and Profjohn from The Imaging Source will be demonstrating The Imaging Source cameras all this week at the Mid-Atlantic Star Party (MASP) in Robbins, North Carolina. The MASP was established in 1995 by John Dilday (and others) and has since blossomed into an event well known in all regions of the astronomy community.

With the desire to share with astronomers and astronomy buffs alike, the fellowship and activities continue to increase and improve each calendar year making the MASP one of THE astronomy gatherings to attend in the Eastern United States. With its central location, its dark skies, its quality of speakers, and most of all, its great door prizes, the Southern hospitality of this years MASP will prove to be unsurpassed.

Come to this year’s Mid-Atlantic Star Party, share the experience, and win a DMK 21AF04.AS from The Imaging Source and Big Bang Astronomy! The gates will open noon on Monday Oct 8, 2007 and remain open throughout the week. For directions go to the MASP website and we’ll see you there!

This past week I had the opportunity of visiting the International Robots and Machine Vision Show held at the Rosemont Convention Center in “The Windy City“, Chicago, Illinois. As the yearly gathering for manufacturers, buyers, and sellers of the latest and greatest “toys” for the machine industry (like The Imaging Source), for many, this one was the best yet. The show was chalk full of hands-on demonstrations, new product presentations, and even a brief magic show. This hands-on demo saw many attendees!

Although I couldn’t make it to the Ernie Banks Tribute Night at Wrigley Field, I had the pleasure of shaking hands with Steve Squyers, Principal Investigator for the Science Payload on the Mars Exploration Rover Project. His talk entitled “Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity and the Exploration of the Red Planet”, provided an up-to-date summary of the missions of Spirit and Opportunity, from their initial conception through their development, launch, landing, and operations on the surface of Mars.

Dr. Squyers shared engineering stories and panoramic photographs never before heard nor seen culminating with remarks on the newly found silica rich Martian under layer further signifying a water laden past for The Red Planet. After reviewing 1200 days of the Mission, the highlight for this solar head-case, was the Rover’s self-portrait with the first ever recorded Martian Solar Eclipse in the distant background. For these and more inspiring images, go to the dedicated Rover NASA site:

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html

Many DMK users and potential customers have contacted both AstronomyCameras.com and The Imaging Source wondering the differences between our astro cameras and their industry counterparts. This answer, as well as, the reason behind the 64 thousand dollar question, is quite fascinating and warrants this post.

A few years ago, a few eager imaging buffs like yourself, looking for higher quality yet affordable astrophotography cameras ran across the DMK line and adapted them to fit their needs and their scopes. These pioneers subsequently contacted The Imaging Source with numerous questions and comments regarding the features of the robust IC Capture software. With the help of the software developers at The Imaging Source, the astronomers were not only able to update their DMK’s (and their blue siblings), but also increase the functionality of the cameras. The so called “dot” AS version of the software now included the ability to extend the exposure time to 60 minutes for deep sky attempts.

After receiving countless kudos and just as many images from the astro community, The Imaging Source decided to launch an additional company division beginning with the advertisement in Sky & Telescope (and this blog!). To see the DMK in all its 4 color glory, pick up this months issue or just click here !

imagingsource_jul_st.pdf

On Friday, June 1st, Profjohn visited a local elementary school in the Charlotte, NC area for the first of many Science Education Outreach Activities sponsored by The Imaging Source and www.AstronomyCameras.com. Mrs Radley’s third grade class learned how lunar eclipses compare to solar eclipses, how the full moon and new moon coorespond to the type of eclipse event, and how the Sun-Earth-Moon configuration determines differnces between partial and total solar eclipses.

Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Barry, the second of the season, brought about a thick barrier of clouds between the students and their closest star. Unable to run the planned solar observing and imaging activity, Profjohn shared another of his interests to young scientists, amatuer rocketry! Using 20 lb copier paper, file folders, and compressed air, the class (and their teachers!) built and launched paper rockets into the cloudy Carolina skies. It was a successful launch and the girls ruled the furthest launch competition!

Back in the classroom, Profjohn wrapped up the session by quizzing the class (and teachers!) on the performance of their rockets and general eclipse science. Then they took Profjohn to their lunchroom for much needed snacks!

The Imaging Source along with AstronomyCameras.com is proud to announce its new line of CCD cameras in Sky & Telescope this coming issue! See the DMK in all its glory from July through December in six full page 4-color advertisements showcasing stunning images sent to us by YOU.

Over the past 4 months we have received literally hundreds of solar, stellar, and planetary images from dozens of DMK owners. To best introduce our cameras to the rest of the astronomy community, we will be publishing a select number of these images in the Sky & Telescope advertisements.

With its robust IC Capture Astronomy Software, its rugged industrial construction, and its amazing ease of use, our FireWire CCD imagers will be The Next Generation of FireWire Astronomy Cameras! Look for YOUR shot in this months Sky & Telescope and spread the good word about The Imaging Source and AstronomyCameras.com.