In April at the 2009 Southern Star Astronomical Conference I gave a presentation of the most spectacular deep space images that I have obtained while doing research with some of Tzec Maun Observatory's remotely located robotic telescopes that I operate from my suburban home in Greer, South Carolina, USA. These telescopes are in New Mexico and Australia, being at a distance of 2000 and 10,000 miles from my home, respectively.

It was an honor for me to speak before the above mentioned assembly of both amateur and professional astronomers, particularly considering that the other speakers included such prominent astrophysicists as Dr. Carolyn Shoemaker (of Comet Shoemaker/Levy fame), Dr. Chris Mullis and Dr.Richard Gray. It appears that my talk and presentation was a success and I have been invited to give it again at the Charlotte Amateur Astronomy Club in Charlotte, NC on August 21, 2009. If you can make it, please attend.

The above image was made using one of the Tzec Maun Observatory telescopes in Australia. It shows a lobe of gas expelled by an enormous star called Eta Carinae. This star is around 200 times more massive than our own Sun, which in turn is hundreds of thousands of times more massive than the Earth! Eta Carinae is very unstable and could bring forth a massively explosive supernova at anytime. If that happens people living in the southern hemisphere would be able to see it in the daytime with their unaided eyes!

As I've said in earlier posts, I've seen too many people buy what they think is a great telescope without realizing they got a poor deal for their money. If you or someone you know is considering the purchase of a telescope, don't do it until you get the knowledge you need. Just click on the link in the left panel labeled Amateur Astronomy (A Guide) and then go to the section titled How to choose a telescope.

There are still free scientific software downloads and project details available on this site. Again, see the links in the left panel.