Yesterday, Sunday, September 18, was the last day of the fourth annual Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS) in Pasadena, California. One of the conference’s organizers told me that Saturday was the best day (attendance-wise) in the 4-year history of the event.

Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen several products you’ll be reading reviews of in upcoming issues of Astronomy magazine. And I’ve talked to other manufacturers who promised announcements of new gear soon.

Yesterday I gave my talk, “How to Buy Your First Telescope,” to a group of less than 30 people. That number, although disappointing, wasn’t unexpected because the planners scheduled me to speak before noon. Despite the low attendance, we ran out of time at the end because of the number of questions people asked. They were definitely listening.

I’ll be back in the office Tuesday getting ready for my next trip — a star party in Jacksonville, Florida, October 7 to 8, organized by Astronomy Contributing Editor Mike Reynolds. I’ll give a couple of talks and participate in all nighttime public observing sessions. And I’ll be blogging and tweeting. Sounds like fun!

For more on the 2011 PATS show, click here.

Astronomy.com blog

It’s that time of year again. I’m in Pasadena, California, spending the weekend (September 16–18) at the fourth annual Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS). This gathering gives telescope and astronomy equipment manufacturers the chance to show off to lots of visitors (many of whom are nurturing their first love of our hobby) the chance to look at and discuss the latest astronomy gear. The newest telescopes, mounts, cameras, eyepieces, and accessories are all on display this weekend. And staffing each booth are salespeople and designers ready and eager to impart their knowledge to interested visitors.

I arrived a day early to talk to manufacturers (mostly as they’re setting up their booths) before the crush of the weekend crowd eliminated detailed conversations. I’m representing Astronomy magazine (one of the show’s sponsors) as the editor most involved in hobby and equipment stories, so I’ve been eager to learn (and report) what’s hot. But I’m also giving a talk. Because the organizers of PATS aim the get-together at the general public, I’ve chosen "How to Buy Your First Telescope" as my topic. The subject matter is near and dear to me, having helped create a special 16-page booklet by the same name Astronomy readers will find included as part of our November issue. I’m on the schedule for 11:45 a.m. today.

Saturday was the first “public day.” About 65 participants met to hear talks by leading astroimagers at the Riverside AstroImaging Workshop (RAW), which always meets the day before PATS. Speakers included Astronomy magazine image contributors Rogelio Bernal Andreo, Ken Crawford, R. Jay GaBany, and Warren Keller. Topics covered ranged from astrophotography for beginners to advanced imaging. Some highlights were “Planning Your Imaging Session,” “Choosing the Right Equipment,” and “Advanced Photoshop Techniques.”

I also walked the PATS floor Saturday. Just in the first few hours, I had great conversations with several manufacturers. And I saw new telescopes and accessories by Celestron, Meade, Quantum Scientific Imaging, and Tele Vue, to name a few.

Of the 38 booths I counted, there’s a mix of equipment manufacturers, astronomy clubs, and organizations supporting professional observatories.

Stay tuned for more blogs and tweets.

P.S. Good thing PATS isn’t a star party. Although the temperature is nice, the California sky is totally cloudy today.

P.P.S. Funny times at the registration desk: Astronomy magazine is a sponsor, we have a booth set up, and I’m speaking tomorrow, but the organizers of PATS didn’t have a name badge for me. I had to print my own. Good thing I was wearing my staff shirt!

Astronomy.com blog