Archive for the 'Astronomy' Category

2,000-Year-Old Computer Brought to Life

Thursday, December 18th, 2008

In 1902 sponge divers discovered 81 fragments of an ancient, unknown tool at the bottom of the sea near the Greek island of Antikythera. Dated around the first century B.C., this early “computer” was the most complex technology of its time - and for another thousand years. Originally thought to be an astrolabe, the mechanism tracked and predicted the cycles of the solar system and the movement of heavenly bodies.

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Posted in Antique Tools, Astronomy | 5 Comments »

Bye-Bye, Kaleidescope! Hello, Personal Planetarium!

Friday, June 6th, 2008

SkyScout front view.jpg

Have you ever gazed up at the starry night sky and wished you could remember more from high school astronomy than just the Big Dipper? With the Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium, you just point, shoot, and learn. The SkyScout uses GPS technology, calculation positioning software, and gravity and directional sensors to identify celestial objects and tell you all about them.

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Posted in Astronomy, Camping, Electronics | 4 Comments »