Stargazing

s t a r g a z i n g n o w . c o m

by Greg Babcock Home Telescopes Binoculars Imaging Eclipses Gallery Venues

2026 Total Solar Eclipse Viewed August 12th, 2026 from Spain

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 2026 TOTAL ECLIPSE

2024 Anthonny Lakes, Oregon

Comet Atlas 2024 from Washougal Washington Port on the Columbia River

	My Equipment & Reviews

		24 inch f/4 Ultra Light Dobsonion
		My un-intended TREND SETTING signature Telescope
		First Light June 15th, 2000, 8:25pm - Sold in March of 2009
		*Design Features*
				Large Altitude Bearing
				Flex Board Azimuth Bearing
				Pyramid Shaped Spider
				Lightweight Open Architecture
		Simple concept-make a large Aperture Telescope as light and minimalist as possible, manageble by one person and able to travel in a small vehicle with room for camping provisions. The total weight was 105 pounds, with the heaviest piece 72 pounds, that being the Cell/Mirror combination. The Pyramid Spider replaced the Cage structure. Aluminum straps and corner gussits added regidity. The Cage nests on the "Mirror Box" for travel. The material was Baltic Birch with an epoxy coating including the Mirror Cell. Lots of holes to reduce weight, combined with aluminum gussits and straps to add rigidity. The trusses are made from foam filled 3/4 inch Graphite tubing and the Spider is made from Aluminum and Composite plates. A Flex Board Azimuth with Cam Follower Bearings for the large Alt Bearing sits on a heavy hub-less Ground (Board) Base. The Base is "hub-less" to permit Mirror clearance as the Telescope rotates to the horizon. The Azimuth surface needed frequent cleaning to maintain smooth motion. CLICK IMAGE TO GO TO TELESCOPE PAGE & MORE DETAIL

Solar & Lunar Eclipses
& Planetary Transits

Total Solar Eclipse
Aug 12th, 2026
Burgos, Spain

Post Eclipse-Sunset
Aug 12th, 2026
Burgos, Spain

Lunar Eclipse
Aug 27th, 2026
Camas, WA USA

Lunar Eclipse
Mar 13th, 2025
Vancouver, WA USA

Total Solar Eclipse
Apr 8th, 2024
Mazatlan, Mexico

Annular Solar Eclipse
Oct 14, 2023
Medford OR USA

Mercury Transit
Nov 11th, 2019
Vancouver, WA USA

Total Solar Eclipse
Aug 21st, 2017
Baker City OR USA

Lunar Eclipse
Sep 27th, 2015
Vancouver WA USA

Venus Transit
Jun 5th, 2012
Vancouver WA USA

Annular Solar Eclipse
May 20th, 2012 Eclipse Susanville CA USA

Total Solar Eclipse
Jun 22nd, 2009
Iwo Jima Pacific

Mercury Transit
Nov 6th, 2006
Portland, OR

Venus Transit
Jun 8th, 2004
Greece

Total Solar Eclipse
Jun 21st, 2001

Africa

Partial Solar Eclipse
CHRISTMAS DAY 2000
Portland, Oregon

Partial Solar Eclipse
Jul 1st, 2000
Astoria Oregon

Total Solar Eclipse
Aug 11th, 1999
Turkey

Total Solar Eclipse
Feb 26th, 1998
Aruba, Caribbean

Lunar Eclipse
Jun 4th, 1993
Portland Oregon

Partial Solar Eclipse
Jan 26th, 1990

Pine Mtn,

Selected Coming Eclipses...

Date	Symbol	Event	Location	Eclipse Equip	Extra Equip	Bonus Viewing	Remarks	2 0 2 7
MUST SEE Feb 6, 2027		Annular Solar Eclipse	Patagonia GAMA LAND w/LEO	ZWO 65 GR HD CRB-TP	Sig 28-70 Sig 20	Landscape So-Sky Viewing	MUST SEE: 86% coverage, 31% chance of clouds. GREAT vacation. ZWO 65 will double as an imager and for So-sky viewing. The Sig 20 will be fro imaging the So-Sky.
Aug 2, 2027		Total Solar Eclipse	Eygpt LAND +Bonus Excursion	ZWO 65 GTi-EQ BRL-TP	Sig 35 Sig 20	Landscape	Eygpt Excursion & Pyramids. Assured weather. ZWO 65 will assure image scale/detail. Hopefully will be TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 8.
Aug 16, 2027		Partial Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL Mt Helens	ZWO 65 GTi-EQ ALM-TP	NA	NA	Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA. A trip to Mt. St. Helens (Possible Star Party) tp get good star background might be considered.
Date	Symbol	Event	Location	Eclipse Equip	Extra Equip	Bonus Viewing	Remarks	2 0 2 8
Jan 11, 2028		Total Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL	ZWO 65 GTi-EQ ALM-TP	NA	NA	Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA, Possible clouds & rain, Quick setup take down will be the equipment theme.
Jul 22, 2028		Total Solar Eclipse	Australia LAND	ZWO-65 GTi-EQ CRB-TP	So 200 f/4+2x TV So 14 f/1.8	Southern Sky Viewing	Southern Sky Viewing. EON 90mm & Pan Head with multiple eyepieces will add a visual role. Australia should be Cooler this time of year.
Dec 31, 2028		Total Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL	Sig-600 PAN HD ALM-TP	NA	NA	Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA, Possible clouds & rain, Quick setup take down will be the equipment theme.
Date	Symbol	Event	Location	Eclipse Equip	Extra Equip	Bonus Viewing	Remarks	2 0 2 9
Jan 14, 2029		Partial Solar Eclipse	LOCAL	Sig-600 PAN HD ALM-TP	NA	NA	Close to 70% Coverage. Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA, Possible clouds & rain, Quick setup take down will be the equipment theme.
MUST SEE Jun 25, 2029		Total Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL Mt. St.Helens	Sig 600 PAN-HD ALM-TP	NA	NA	MUST SEE: Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA. A trip to Mt. St. Helens tp get good star background. Milkyway over mountain.
Dec 20, 2029		Total Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL	Sig-600 PAN HD ALM-TP	NA	NA	Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA, Possible clouds & rain, Quick setup take down will be the equipment theme.
Date	Symbol	Event	Location	Eclipse Equip	Extra Equip	Bonus Viewing	Remarks	2 0 3 0
Nov 12, 2030		Total Solar Eclipse	Indian Ocean CRUISE	ZWO 65 GR-HD RGR-TP	Sigma 20 I5X45 IS	Southern Sky Viewing	Cruise on the Indian Ocean. Southern Sky viewing.
Dec 10, 2030		Partial Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL	ZWO 65 GTi-EQ ALM-TP	NA	NA	Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA, Possible clouds & rain, Quick setup take down will be the equipment theme.
Date	Symbol	Event	Location	Eclipse Equip	Extra Equip	Bonus Viewing	Remarks	2 0 3 1
MUST SEE May 6, 2031		Partial Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL Mt St Helens	ZWO 65 GTi-EQ ALM-TP	NA	NA	MUST SEE: Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA. A trip to Mt. St. Helens tp get good star background. Milkyway over mountain.
MUST SEE Jun 5, 2031		Partial Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL Mt St Helens	ZWO 65 GTi-EQ ALM-TP	NA	NA	MUST SEE: Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA. A trip to Mt. St. Helens tp get good star background. Milkyway over mountain.
Oct 29, 2031		Partial Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL	ZWO 65 GTi-EQ ALM-TP	NA	NA	Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA, Possible clouds & rain, Quick setup take down will be the equipment theme.
MUST SEE Nov 14, 2031		Hybrid Solar Eclispe	Galapagos Islands CRUISE?	ZWO 65 GR-HD RGR-TP	Sigma 20 I5X45 IS	Southern Sky Vviewing	MUST SEE: A rare Hybrid Event of Totality & Annular. Galopagos Island Excursion with giant Tortisis included. Southern Sky Observing? PLUS: Light Gear, Plus: Short travel distance.
Date	Symbol	Event	Location	Eclipse Equip	Extra Equip	Bonus Viewing	Remarks	2 0 3 2
Apr 25, 2032		Total Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL	Sig-600 PAN HD ALM-TP	NA	NA	Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA, Possible clouds & rain, Quick setup take down will be the equipment theme.
MUST SEE May 9, 2032		Annular Solar Eclipse	Antartica ICE-BREAKER CRUISE	Sony-400 GR-HD CRB-TP	Sigma-20	Southern Sky So-Aurora Viewing	MUST SEE: Antartica Excursion-99% Coverage-Near Hybrid-But 51% chance of clouds and Eclipse is only 3 degrees high and may be in clouds. Potential for Southern Sky viewing.
Date	Symbol	Event	Location	Eclipse Equip	Extra Equip	Bonus Viewing	Remarks	2 0 3 3
MUST SEE Mar 30, 2033		Total Solar Eclipse	Alaska ICE-BREAKER CRUISE	ZWO 65 GR-HD CRB-TP	Sony 400 Sigma-20	Aurora Viewing	MUST SEE: ALASKA Excursion. Potential to see Auroras. Weather could be an issure. Too close to the Pole for an EQ-Mt. Eclipse will be 9 degrees above the horizon.
Oct 7, 2033		Total Lunar Eclipse	LOCAL	Sig-600 PAN HD ALM-TP	NA	NA	Can be seen from the Pacific NW USA, Possible clouds & rain, Quick setup take down will be the equipment theme.


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Southern Sky Observing-Leonardo Cavagnaro's Website & Videos


Click Images & Videos for access
E-BOOK $19.95 Guide to Observing the Southern Sky by Leonardo Cavagnaro		Click Image