Just Saying Hi!

[simon_rl]

I live in Sydney's west (St Clair) and am an absolute noob to astronomy. Just wanted to pop by and say Hi, at the moment I don't have much to contribute, but have been making good use of the sites search facility.

It has been a life long dream of mine to own a telescope and at almost 50 have just bought and 8" Newtonian (Bresser NT-203 with EXOS 2 goto mount). I am looking forward to learning astronomy and how to use my telescope. As a very keen amature landscape photographer I am looking forward to combining these two hobbies, although at this point I will just be happy to learn polar alignment and get a glimpse of Saturn & Jupiter :lol:.

If anyone has any tips on good website or books for noobs, it would be very much appreciated.

[AstralTraveller]

Hello and welcome. Looks like a nice rig you've got. You'll need some seriously short eps for planets but it's great for DSOs. For learning astronomy, probably a good start is here (http://www.wsaag.org/).

[JA]

Hello Simon,

Welcome to the forum

Best
JA

[simon_rl]

Thanks David, no idea what an eps is and I am guessing DSO is Deep Space Object. Like I said I am a total noob. Thanks for the link that looks like the perfect place to start.

[AstralTraveller]

Sorry. eps = eyepiece(s) and, yes DSO = deep space object.

[simon_rl]

Now I understand, thanks David, unfortunately my new set of eyepieces have been hidden away by my wife as an XMAS present and the telescope only comes with a 26mm eps.

[guipago]

Download a program called Stellarium onto your computer, it's free, it's great, shows the night sky, constellations, DSO's, can be fast forwarded to show what will be in the night sky that night so you can preplan the nights viewing.
Books, I went with Hartung's Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes, I found it very good despite all the wailing & moaning about the pictures, it's a reference book, the other book I got is Massey & Quirk's Atlas of the Southern Sky.
Warning this hobby is a money pit & trap for the unwary there is ALWAYS some shiney trinket or bauble that's a must have, have fun!

[gigglebottom]

:welcome:

[ZeroID]

Hi Simon, a good starter book is 'Turn Left at Orion'.
It's a bit northern hemisphere focused but the principles and the descriptions are excellent for anybody starting up. Gives you a good idea as to what to expect. See if your good lady can add that to your Xmas list.
You might have to be kind to her this Xmas too, it always helps I find ;)

And :welcome: as well to the madhouse, .. or money pit, which ever way you want to look at it. :thumbsup:

Brent

[brian nordstrom]

:welcome: Simon , great starter package you have there , it will show you years of sky stuff , most of all just take your time learning how to use this equipiment properly and enjoy yourself .
This is an awsome hobby .

Brian.

[simon_rl]

Thank you all for your warm welcome and very helpful tips.