I have almost 1400 posts and pages, and with a redesign that I’ve recently been working on, i.e., changing many things behind the scenes in layout and workflow, I need to go back and fix a bunch of featured images for sizes. So at the same time, since I’ll be using the Featured Images in a slightly different way along with other graphics in my site, I’ll take advantage of the update to also consider new images.

For astronomy posts, most of which up until now have been about astronomy and telescopes and imaging, oh my, I’ve tended to use a whimsical graphic for all of it.

It has a transparent background, PNG format, and I like the light nature of it. It reflects my approach to astronomy, generally informal, non-scientific, heavy focus on observing over imaging or logging. In short? Fun.

But my astronomy posts are not all about “fun”. Some of them are a bit more serious about the hobby, and how to record observations, etc. More of the “what did I see” than “what did I experience” type post. And so while it is still coded in the website as an astronomy category, it strikes me as a bit different. To that end, I found this image which shows a logbook:

Also PNG format with a transparent background, it is still a bit light. I’ll easily use it for my observations / logs.

But as time marches on, I also find myself getting a bit into light imaging. I have all the imaging tools I need to keep me busy for a very long time — an adapter to attach a point-and-shoot camera, the adapters to attach my DSLR, and even a NexImage 5 webcam. All perfectly fine tools for my type of scope (a Schmidt-Cassegrain tube on an alt-az mount), even though the scope and mount are not ideal for astrophotography. Instead, I’m more likely to use my smartphone with my scope, and I have a couple of adapters to use. But that too then gives me a slightly different blog post, one with images of actual targets. As such, I’ve uploaded a third image.

While still a graphic rather than a photo, I like the idea that it shows different types of targets — stars, planets, the moon, comets, and deep space. So I’ll likely use that one for my imaging posts.

Which then leaves me with a question. When I do my official PolyWogg Guide to Astronomy, which of the three do I use? I could use:

• the informal whimsical one showing the boy enjoying the stars;
• the more formal one that includes a logbook; or,
• the one that emphasizes the targets.

I’m pretty sure I’ll go with the whimsical one, as that is more the tone I’m going for — newbies who are looking at getting into astronomy and who are willing to learn from someone who is just a little ahead of them on the knowledge curve. But “pretty sure” and “certain” are a gulf apart, and I welcome any views anyone has to shift the needle.

Of course, from time to time, I might want other images too. So I have a NextGen album with lots of other images in it from various clipart collections that I can use. Stay tuned!