Space is a big thing around this house (pun intended). I've been into astronomy since I could remember, and Anthony holds a similar liking. In 1998 I became the webmaster for the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers (SFAA) and worked with the club for 13 years before I had to pass the torch. In that time I enjoyed so much going to the lectures, helping to build their online presence, and attending the star parties with some really cool people.

Also in '98 I purchased my first really big telescope (see below). It's a Meade LX200, and is so much fun to use. It's a bit dated today, and in need of major motor repair, but the efforts of dragging it up mountains, up to Tahoe, and around the neighborhood brought me to some fond memories. I especially liked going to the SFAA Mt Tam Star Parties where I got to stay up on the mountain long past closing on some truly spectacular starry nights.

I began to log my observations and telescope fiddlings under the title of the Restless Peak Observatory on the SFAA web site. While I no longer post to their site I did preserve some of the better journal entries (see below ). Once the scope is fixed I plan to jump back in to observing and journaling with some even better photos. Until then remember to always take a moment to look at, ponder and marvel at the night sky.

Here's a fun idea: Find an app that tracks the International Space Station, then right before it passes overhead go to this link and load up the International Space Station Live Feed

UPDATED January 15, 2025:
Well......the Dec motors blew again, which may actually be a mother board issue. Thing is: the mother board isn't made anymore nor is it available anywhere online even in the most off the beaten paths web sites. I'm a little more than bummed since auto slewing is now dead. My scope is just too damn big to be a manual slewing scope. I'm going to hook up with the Marin Sargazers to see if I can procure a fix. I'm pretty sure a new scope is somewhen in my future, but budget is just too tight right now. I'm back to dreaming of owning a working scope. (sigh)