My Wikipedia story

Wikipedia is amazing.

I've used it since it was created ten years ago. However I think it has become something which people take for granted. We should feel lucky and privileged that there are exceptional projects like Wikipedia being run to further humanity and our understanding of our universe and existence.

Not to mention doing it for free.

If I need to know something, Wikipedia always includes itself in my thought process. It feels as natural as when I was a child and asked my parents to explain something I didn't understand. It is a strange and exciting period in humanity's time on earth. There are huge advancements in science and technology despite global financial problems and an ever growing population. However knowledge isn't something that should have to depend on money, because it is priceless and a fundamental part of who we are as a species.

So I would encourage every person to donate and support Wikipedia as much as they can. Instead of saying every euro or dollar counts, I'd prefer to phrase it this way; every person counts, because without people, knowledge would not exist. Thank you Wikipedia.

Click on my 'Thanks, Wikipedia' button if you'd like to make your own contribution.

UCC Crawford Observatory

I had the pleasure of visiting the UCC Crawford Observatory in Cork city, Ireland recently. As my dad was filming there on the day I took the chance to visit and view some of the most amazing antique telescopes I've ever seen, dating back to the late eighteen hundreds. Among them was a gigantic equatorial refracting telescope and a spectroscope, all hand made by Irishman Howard Grubb, who was well known for his work with various optical systems.

As it was during the day we weren't able to use any of the telescopes and I'm not even sure if they are still functional but I took advantage of the photo opportunity.

Research

Now I knew I wanted a telescope of my own, and it was time to do some research. Lot's of research! You know when you're about to make a big purchase and you spend every available second of computer time absent mindedly Googling the hell out of it? That was me.

After much Google time and posing annoying questions to some professional and amateur astronomers I had an idea of what I wanted out of my telescope.

One:
I was recommended a GOTO system early on but I wanted to learn the sky and felt that I'd benefit much more from a manual set up.

Two:
I also had a great interest in astrophotography so I needed a telescope which would allow me to eventually attach my camera to it and so I could image celestial objects. This, to me, meant I would need a German Equatorial mount.

Three:
I'm not sure why, but my heart seemed to sway toward a refracting telescope. From what I read on the forums, refractors seemed to be the favourite of astrophotographers. I also like this optical system because it seemed like the most portable and low maintenance.

Following these three informed decisions, more Google time ensued. This time however I was working my way through various online astronomy stores, weighing up prices, and homing in on the telescope that I would finally buy.

It was at home in Ireland however, where I bought my telescope. Thanks to the great help and advice of the folks at Astronomy Ireland in Dublin, I made my final decision.

Drum role!

My telescope would be a Celestron Omni XLT 120mm reftracting telescope.