Borland Educational

The Hobby

Amateur Astronomy
Detailed Wikipedia article provides a good introduction to the fascinating hobby of backyard astronomy.

Backyard Astronomer’s Guide
Great general amateur astronomy book for beginners. Practical info on getting started, equipment recommendations, best sky sites, more. The guide gets top reviews on amazon.

Sky & Telescope
Locus of general info on skywatching, space science, and amateur astronomy. News and info on observing, equipment reviews, DIY articles, local clubs, etc.

Amateur Astronomy Magazine
Magazine for serious astrophiles and advanced astronomy hobbyists. Once you’re hooked as a sky watcher, this is the site for you.

Space.com
Fascinating site devoted to all things space. News, tech, telescope and gear reviews, search for ETLife, skywatching, much more.

Best Sources of Astronomical Images
Nearly two dozen links to top image sites and astronomical photo galleries on the web. Curated by well-known astronomer and educator, Andrew Fraknoi.

ISDA Dark Sky Finder
Dark sky finder, searchable by zip code. Click here for another U.S. dark sky finder, and here for a fantastic world-wide light pollution map (stats for every location on Earth).

For Beginners

Sky and Telescope
Fantastic resource for all levels of astronomy enthusiasts. Contributions by experts on all aspects of the science and hobby of astronomy.

Getting Started in Backyard Astronomy
Short introductory guide to those with an interest in exploring or beginning the hobby, with a range of excellent suggestions of how best to get started.

Telescope Buying Guide
Accessible, comprehensive Sky and Telescope guide on purchasing a telescope. Don't get the wrong kind, or spend too much money – or too little. Another guide here.

Buying a First Telescope
Great beginner's buying guide from premier dealer Sky Point Scientific (a must-read for beginners looking to invest in a first telescope).

NYT Recommendations for a First Telescope
Reliable recommendations are indispensable. Four well-considered recommendations for beginner's scopes by the editors of the New York Times. Other opinions here.

AWB OneSky 130mm Reflector
Very small, light, highly portable grab-and-go reflector. Awesome starter option. A crazy deal at just $250! 130mm f/5. Helpful review here.

6-inch Sky Watcher Heritage150P
Another superb grab-and-go reflector and excellent choice for a first telescope. Larger 150mm f/5. At High Point Scientific here (just $310). Go-to option on amazon here.

Organizations

Astronomers Without Borders
“We all share the same sky.” AWB strives to unite peoples of the world through a shared passion for astronomy and observation of the wonders of the universe.

Astronomical Society of the Pacific
The oldest national astronomical society in the U.S. Founded in 1889, now one of the largest astronomical education organizations in the world.

Sidewalk Astronomers
SF group founded by John Dobson (who gave me private telescope making lessons at home as a boy in the 1960s). Star parties, giant scopes, telescope making, more.

Dark Sky International
Organization devoted to preserving dark skies, reducing light pollution, and keeping visible on Earth the majestic tableau of the wonderful nighttime universe.

NASA
Your tax dollars at work! Check out general space news, missions (A-Z), awesome photo galleries, downloads, space exploration history, internships, more.

Gear

How to Choose Binoculars for Astronomy and Skywatching
A great way to begin enjoying the hobby by purchasing a pair of good binoculars;. This useful guide investigates pros and cons and helps you invest in the right pair.

Starter Binoculars
Can you actually get a good pair of astro-binoculars for $35? Yes, indeed you can! Celestron Cometron 7x50 binoculars have sold for under $25 during the holidays.

Meade AdventureScope 80mm Refractor
Same optical tube as the Orion ST80. Great entry-level bargain scope: under $90! Excellent for visual astronomy. Will also serve budding astrophotographers well.

Apertura AD8 8-Inch Reflector with Accessories
Best kit for serious beginners. Powerful/portable f/5.9 200mm Dobsonian with 2-inch dual speed focuser, 1.25 and 2-inch eyepieces, laser collimator, more: $450! Push-to kit here.

The High Point Scientific Eyepiece Guide
Overview of the entire puzzling eyepiece question by experts at High Point Scientific. Designs? Makers? Focal length? FOV? Read this before investing serious $$.

Dealers

Highpoint Scientific
One of the top online astro and optical products dealers. Detailed descriptions, specs, and reviews make it easy to do pre-sales research.

Agena Astroproducts
Another well-known and respected dealer. Agena sells astronomy-related products only. Detailed info. Excellent customer product reviews.

Telescopes Plus
Astro-only dealer, with a large selection of merchandise. Make a visit here to peruse daily deals and compare specs and prices.

Telescopes.net (Woodland Hills)
Smaller dealer of high-end astro equipment and photographic gear. Clearance items are well worth checking out. Good for comparison shopping.

B&H Photo Video – Telescopes
Reputable online dealer of astro, photo, video, and audio gear. Good prices, good service. B&H also has a small used astro gear department.

Astronomy Classifieds and Used Sales

Cloudy Nights Classifieds
First stop when looking for good used gear. Serious amateurs shop here for good deals on all things astro. Very popular site for hobbyists.

AstroMart
Another large astronomy classifieds site utilized by experts to buy and sell used astro gear. Like Cloudy Nights, requires registration.

High Point Scientific: Used Equipment
Certified pre-owned astro and other optical equipment. Items are professional inspected, adjusted, graded, and guaranteed.

Optcorp Used Telescope and Astronomy Equipment
Used items are often better deals. Certified and warrantied used items here are tested by technicians for full functionality. Financing available.

Forums

Cloudy Nights
Top online amateur astronomy community. Experts and novices interact, sharing secrets, tips, news, recommendations, reviews, equipment for sale.

Stargazers Lounge
Another highly popular forum for amateur astronomers. Useful resources and links, astro-events calendar, blogs, clubs, more.

Astronomy Forum
Yet another astro-geek hangout. A plethora of posts on all manner of topics related to the hobby of amateur astronomy.

Apps

Best Free Stargazing Apps
Never been easier to study the stars! Point a phone skyward, get info on: constellations, planets, satellites. Other app listed here, here, and here.

Stellarium
Remarkable app. Simply unparalleled. If you're serious about the hobby you already have Stellarium. It's a miracle this app is free.

Other

Field of View Calculator / Telescope Simulator
Virtually combine telescope, eyepiece, barlow, camera to see how astro targets will look. Get FOV, image data. Binos too. Try before you buy!

Reviews

“Standardized tests are a necessary step in applying to colleges, and, with his support, I was able to achieve the scores I needed to be competitive. I am currently finishing a degree in physics at the University of Chicago and am immensely grateful for his help four years ago. His test taking strategies have also been very useful on the GRE while applying to graduate school physics programs. Thank you again, Chris!”

Ben F. (Student: 2013)

"[Chris’s] methods are extremely effective and he is one of the kindest, most supportive men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

"Working with him has been one of my best academic experiences and I congratulate Chris on his hard work and dedication to the success of his pupils."

Harrison M. (Student: 2017)

“His competence, compassion and ethics as a tutor are exemplary.

"Chris is a wonderfully friendly, sincere and caring human being. His personality is delightful, making the sessions enjoyable.”

Judy S. (Client: 2006)

"The students benefited from [Chris's] assistance, and we found him very personable, helpful and eager to learn new teaching techniques and philosophies.

I feel he would be an excellent addition to any tutoring staff."

Linda N. (Employer: 1980)

"I enjoyed working with Chris because he could explain things I did not understand and make them clear to me. Chris was very patient when it took me a while to understand things."

Martha S. (Student: 1993)

“Chris is a phenomenal math, PSAT, and SAT tutor. I studied with him for over three years and am so grateful for all of his invaluable knowledge and the confidence that he instilled in me as a math student.

"Now, years later, the same standardized test-taking skills that he taught me for the PSAT and SAT are helping me immensely in my LSAT prep.

"Chris is patient and efficient in his teaching. I would highly recommend him to everyone!”

Gary C. (Client: 2016)

"Chris Borland tutored my son and did an excellent job. He obviously is a very well qualified teacher and I recommend him without reservation."

David C. (Client: 1980)

Chris is also incredibly supportive, and recognizes when confidence is lagging. He holds his students accountable by giving them specific work and challenges and also rewards their gains, and is able to pivot his teaching style if a certain way of explaining things isn't working.

"I highly recommend Chris to any student who is studying for a standardized test ..."

A.S.M. (Client: 2021)

Most importantly, you taught Joey to understand that hard work does reap its own rewards. Joey did well enough in school and on the SATs to gain acceptance to a number of UC Schools, of which he chose UC Davis to attend. Thanks Chris for you effort and diligent tutoring of Joey the last three years, we really appreciate all that you did for him.

Larry L. (Client: 2005)

"Chris tutored my son for the SSAT test and … it was worth every penny. My son responded very well to him and developed learning strategies that [he's] using to this day."

Michal V. (Client: 2014)

"[Chris] has a keen sense of the orderly nature of learning, and did a particularly good job of helping students with the organizational work needed to excel at math ... one of the best young teachers I've seen."

Bruce S. (Administrator: 1985)

"[Chris] is patient, understanding, enthusiastic and always guides Andrew in the learning process with a very positive attitude. If Andrew gets distracted, Chris is able to guide him back to the subject at hand by being assertive, yet respectful. His focus on Andrew's progress has resulted in a very noticeable improvement in Andrew's skill level in Algebra, his attention to detail, his neatness, and his self-esteem..."

Karen C. (Client: 1999)

"Chris Borland has provided test prep tutoring for two of our three children, one for the SSAT and then the ACT, and the other for the SSAT. They both dramatically improved their scores as a result of his tutoring and were accepted to their first-choice schools.

Jennifer C. (Client: 2020)

"Fantastic tutor. We set a goal for my SAT score, and with Chris's help I got there. Has years of experience and knows the test inside and out. Cannot recommend more highly."

Jack R. (Client: 2014)

Chris is patient, knowledgeable and was helpful in identifying my weaknesses and addressing them. My work with Chris on test prep also helped me in the classroom resulting in improved grades both my junior and senior years. He is easy to work with and never made me feel stupid. I highly recommend Chris Borland for test prep and math tutoring.”

T J (student: 2018)

"Chris Borland tutored my l4 year old twins for several weeks before they took the SSAT test for entrance into private schools. He has a very good rapport with kids and makes the sessions fun and interesting.

Chris's strategies about standardized test taking proved to be excellent. Both boys improved their scores significantly and openly attributed their success to their work with Chris..."

Anne C. (Client: 2003)

“Worth every penny!

"As the high school application process in SF is already stressful and time consuming, I was looking for an efficient strategy for my B/G twins to prepare for the SSAT. Chris has deep experience with test prep and presented a very clear, efficient, and effective strategy for the twins to follow. His approach resulted in a huge increase in test results.

"We would highly recommend him to anyone for standardized test prep!”

Irene L. (client: 2018)

Knowledge is Power