About AstroSpotter Site

Who is this guy anyway?

Who Is  "Mr AstroSpotter"

The amateur astronomer responsible for the AstroSpotter site is Mark Johnston.   I live in mid California where the night skies are mostly clear and the nighttime temperatures are reasonable.   As of 2012 I could be described as an amateur astronomer with just over 3500 logged visual observations that has been starting to do some astrophotography. This site has the focus for my visual observations.

Hopefully this website helps people to get closer to the point where they can walk outside on a nice night and recognize the familiar patterns in the skies.   Take enjoyment in  knowing that the same patterns will be there each and every night for a given season to greet you as long as you choose to take the time to look.

The site includes my spreadsheets for the formal submissions made by myself to the astronomical league 'clubs' that take the form of lists of  objects from popular lists.   Some people like lists, some do not.  I enjoy the lists as it give me both a way to be organized in my goals and a way to become more familiear with the range of objects that are observable by amateurs.

I observe with a large group of friends that are also local CA Bay Area residents many of whom have amazing levels of experience and knowledge.   It has put new breath into this hobby and has also started new friendships that I hope to nurture over the years ahead. My number one tip to anybody starting out in this hobby is to seek out groups who share the urge to gaze into or take pictures of the night skies and listen and learn of the many experiences of  your newfound friends.

Email can be sent to:       mjstn   <atsign>   astrospotter  <dotter>  com     

(address is poor man's partial solution to limit spam so of course substitute @ for '<atsign>' and a period for  '<dotter>')

Please include AstroSpotter in the subject if you do send any Email so my filter can pull out your query.

As of 2010 astrophotography has been becoming a much larger part of my enjoyment with the night sky.  The pictures that I feel are presentable can be seen at  my astrophotography website .  

Mark Tunes  is my site where you will find my many origional songs written, performed, and produced by yours truely.

Picio-Chips   Small Robots And assorted Microprocessor Related projects all based on the 'PIC' family of processors.

Astrophotography Pictures - This site shows my pictures of the objects of the night sky