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Any recreational astronomers here on ASF?

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Duckman#72

Duckman#72

Joined
14 November 2005
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Hi Guys

I recently purchased a Celestron Nexstar 130SLT telescope in an attempt to live out my childhood dreams.

The ducklings are still too young to really appreciate it just yet but hopefully it will be a family favourite in the backyard on starry nights in the years ahead. Unless I can actually see "The Death Star" or Master Yoda, the eldest duckling is not that impressed at the present.

I was wondering if there were any other astronomers lurking here and what type of equipment you have. I obtained a great book called "The Binocular Guide to the Southern Skies" by Robert Bee. If you are just vaguely interested in astronomy, it is a great place to start.

Duckman
 
Hi Duckman,

I've been looking into this for about a year now, but have been suffering from paralysis-by-analysis :eek:
I think I've settled on what seems to be a good scope to start out, but the range and quality of the accessories drives me nuts.

Have you joined a local club? Almost everyone I've spoken to seems to think this is the best way to start.
Do you intend to do some astrophotography?

Clear skies :)
 
spooly74 said:
Hi Duckman,

I've been looking into this for about a year now, but have been suffering from paralysis-by-analysis :eek:
I think I've settled on what seems to be a good scope to start out, but the range and quality of the accessories drives me nuts.

Have you joined a local club? Almost everyone I've spoken to seems to think this is the best way to start.
Do you intend to do some astrophotography?

Clear skies :)
Click to expand...

Hi Spooly

I know exactly what you mean!

I did it all wrong. I was too impatient to "learn the sky, use binoculars, learn about the different types of scopes" etc. You know what I mean.:banghead:

I did a lot of research (like you probably) but always ended up very confused. In the end I just jumped in with a computerised "GoTo" scope. I sacrificed a bit of magnification for serviceability. My theory being, as a novice I would prefer to have the ability to find stars, nebula, planets etc and see them reasonably OK, rather than being able to see them very, very well but have such a complicated scope that turns me off using it. I also gave myself a budget of about $1000.

Anyway - I'm pleased with my purchase, and am learning more all the time. I think it is a bit like most things - you can read so much but there's nothing like "giving it a go".

I can go outside and name a number of constellations, know the names of particular stars, getting to know the movements of planets.........and Mrs Duckman has noticed that I always look skywards on walking out of the house/out of the car at nights these days. :D

I live in a small regional town and there are a couple of guys that are looking at starting a club - but nothing formal yet. I have only briefly considered astrophotography but think I need to master the equipment I've got before getting more "toys".

My advice would be buy the best scope for your budget and just start. The scope you have mentioned is a good value for money. Have you had much experience with telescopes before? My only suggestion would be for you to consider the SkyQuest XT8i for another $200. It looks as it has the ability to slew across the sky as the stars/planets and moon moves.

I had been looking for years and then one night while surfing the net I just decided to GET ONE. Hope you get as much enjoyment from yours as I've had.

Duckman
 
I've been a binocular astronomer for years, except when city lights got too depressing. I started in the 70s when I was working in the bush as a nanny. The binoculars were a present from my parents, a much better present than I realised until I had them serviced a year or so ago by my optometrist, who nearly wouldn't give them back. I used to lean on the house cow to steady my elbows and keep warm. Worked a treat, except for the night I got between her and her calf :)

My starter book was by Patrick Moore. The Robert Bee book sounds similar; lots of information to help you find your way around the sky.

Never been much interested in taking photos, though I can happily spend hours looking at other people's. Telescope is on the agenda when we're settled on our country estate, but not all that high.

Ghoti (stargazer)
 
Yeh., I am a typical cancer

It's amazing how close people are to their astrology sign. Especially Sagittarius and Virgo. Women's Day has the absolute best astrology column.

Oh. Astronomy,not Astrology.:D Is it true stars sparkle the planets don't?
 
I bought a magazine "Astronomy" today, Feb edition , just about to take the wrapper off.

Moon is getting full, that is my total knowledge atm of the sky.

gg
 
gooner said:
Yeh., I am a typical cancer

It's amazing how close people are to their astrology sign. Especially Sagittarius and Virgo. Women's Day has the absolute best astrology column.

Oh. Astronomy,not Astrology.:D Is it true stars sparkle the planets don't?
Click to expand...

Hey gooner I hope your back isn`t playing up as bad as it was and that you`re on the mend.

I`m a typical cancer too. Maternal, sensitive, caring, and able to sniff out a bit of cynicism when I sense it. Try it out with a Leo or Gemini and see how it goes, or for that matter our soul mates Scorpio and Pisces.

I too had a telescope with a 300mm mirror.

I looked into the stars and gave it to the local school cause I could never find those darn constellations. But they still sparkle.
 
Buckfont said:
Hey gooner I hope your back isn`t playing up as bad as it was and that you`re on the mend.

I`m a typical cancer too. Maternal, sensitive, caring, and able to sniff out a bit of cynicism when I sense it. Try it out with a Leo or Gemini and see how it goes, or for that matter our soul mates Scorpio and Pisces.

I too had a telescope with a 300mm mirror.

I looked into the stars and gave it to the local school cause I could never find those darn constellations. But they still sparkle.
Click to expand...

Buckfont

I'm in Sydney so a lot of background light, but I do take the kids out in the backyard to look at the stars on dark nights. Try and see the planets - the non sparkly ones. I might get a telescope - more for the kids than me, as they like looking at the moon and stars.

Healthwise, it's not getting better or worse. Off the painkillers. Can't do sport, but can do pretty much everything else, so not too bad. Will give physio another month and if no improvement I'll be off for another opinion as I want to get back to sport.
 
What muppets.

The title is


Re: Any recreational astronomers here on ASF? NOT


Re: Any recreational astrologists here on ASF? NOT


Re: Any recreational stoners here on ASF? NOT


Re: Any recreational astronomers here on AFL? NOT


Re: Any recreational astronomers here on NRL? NOT

..........................


Where are bloody mods when they are needed.

Keep to topic.

gg
 
Garpal Gumnut said:
What muppets.

The title is


Re: Any recreational astronomers here on ASF? NOT


Re: Any recreational astrologists here on ASF? NOT


Re: Any recreational stoners here on ASF? NOT


Re: Any recreational astronomers here on AFL? NOT


Re: Any recreational astronomers here on NRL? NOT

..........................


Where are bloody mods when they are needed.

Keep to topic.

gg
Click to expand...


At least I had a telescope
 
spooly74 said:
All you need is a pair of eyes, gg.

Any luck getting that wrapper off? :)
Click to expand...

I got the wrapper off. Its a Northern Hemisphere mag, but has a good section on how to get started with the moon.

Also on binos.

I've had a few go's at Astronomy but got into the detail too much. I'll keep it simple.

So I'll start with the moon, just eyeballing it.

Then I'll progress to binos.

gg
 
Yep, love it Duckman, I am a stargazer. I have only got binoculars

I always look for 'the saucepan' (pavo?) when leaving at night lol

The nights have been gorgeous here in Melbourne

Full moon March 1st
 
Tink said:
Yep, love it Duckman, I am a stargazer. I have only got binoculars

I always look for 'the saucepan' (pavo?) when leaving at night lol

The nights have been gorgeous here in Melbourne

Full moon March 1st
Click to expand...

Speaking of full moons, a bit of trivia for you. This is an unusual year as we have two "blue moons" in the one year. A "blue moon" being two full moons in the one month. That occurs every three years or so but to have two months in the same calendar year that have two full moons only occurs every 25 years (roughly). The months this year are January and March.

Duckman
 
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