Author Archives: mark Brickley

Opening the Bedford Catalogue: Stars

Posted on June 4, 2013 by mark Brickley

Stars are at once the most accessible and essential elements of understanding the night sky. Almost all of the more esoteric objects that astronomers observe and relish are intimately related to the apparently humble star. Galaxies, are composed of billions … Continue reading →

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The Bedford Catalogue: A modern Companion (2)

Posted on May 4, 2013 by mark Brickley

This post is the second part of the introduction to the Bedford Catalogue. If you haven’t checked out the first part be sure to read that first. The Bedford Catalogue, as discussed earlier, represents a perfect list for astronomers who … Continue reading →

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The Bedford Catalogue: A modern companion (1)

Posted on April 26, 2013 by mark Brickley

Admiral William H Smyth was a navy commander in the Napoleonic wars who retired from the navy in 1825. On his retirement he spent a considerable sum and purchased what was then the finest telescope in amateur hands in the … Continue reading →

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An examined life

Posted on May 3, 2012 by mark Brickley

One poet, George Mackay Brown, said ‘For the islands I sing and a few friends, not to foster means nor be a midwife to ends’ I hope very much to make this blog exactly that; a personal exploration of the … Continue reading →

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