Beginners Start Here! - Page 46

Doc63 (Neil) · #**901** 24-09-2009, 06:26 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm very new to astronomy, and don't own a telescope yet. I have a pair of 7 X 50 binoculars and I'm planning on buying a pair of 10 x 50s soon. I didn't realise how much you could actually see through a pair of binoculars until a couple of weeks ago. Now I'm hooked! I bought a copy of "Heavens Above" by Robert Bee and a Star Wheel and as soon as there is a clear sky, I'm out there.

I've joined the Astronomical Society of Victoria and was planning to do their New Astronomers Group course next year. I was wondering if anyone here had done the course, and if so, is it worth doing, keeping in mind that my knowledge of the subject is very limited. I thought that at the very least, I'd be able to look through a few different types of telescopes before taking the plunge.

Regards

Neil

erick (Eric) · #**902** 24-09-2009, 08:41 PM

Neil, you are on the right path. I haven't done the course. By the time one became available, I was a six month "expert"! Sounds like you are catching it at the right time.

10x50s plus Robert's book plus a Planisphere - You're laughin'!

Tell us what you see.

Doc63 (Neil) · #**903** 25-09-2009, 05:53 AM

Hi Eric,

Well, so far with the 7 x 50s, I've been able to identify the Southern Cross (of course), a fair bit of Centaurus and Triangulum Australe. I also think I've identified Aquila. The fun part is pointing them at a part of the sky where, to the naked eye, there doesn't appear to be any stars, then all of these little points of light appear from nowhere.

How much more should I expect to see through 10 x 50s?

Neil

erick (Eric) · #**904** 25-09-2009, 07:07 AM

Look for Jupiter, the brightest object (apart from the Moon) high above in the early evening. Find NGC 4755 (the Jewel Box Cluster), near the Southern Cross. Try to find the Globular cluster NGC 104 (47 Tucanae) later in the evening. Get up early in the morning and look at the Seven Sisters (The Pleiades, M45). Then look at the great nebula in Orion (M42, the middle "star" of the Sword of Orion).

Esseth (Alan) · #**905** 25-09-2009, 07:13 AM

Yeah, i can vouch for that... i just saw my first nebula last night (M42) and i was just scanning the sky with my 8x60's when i saw this faint bright patch, so i pointed the scope at it... oooh

Binos are so much easier to scan the sky with, now i know why everyone swears by them lol

Doc63 (Neil) · #**906** 25-09-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Look for Jupiter, the brightest object (apart from the Moon) high above in the early evening. Find NGC 4755 (the Jewel Box Cluster), near the Southern Cross. Try to find the Globular cluster NGC 104 (47 Tucanae) later in the evening. Get up early in the morning and look at the Seven Sisters (The Pleiades, M45). Then look at the great nebula in Orion (M42, the middle "star" of the Sword of Orion).

Thanks for the advice Eric. I was looking for The Jewel Box last night, but couldn't make it out. I'll look for 47 Tucane next time as well. I forgot to mention that I had also seen Jupiter.

Unfortunately, it looks like the next few nights are going to be pretty ordinary. Hopefully next week we'll get some clear skies.

Neil

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #**907** 25-09-2009, 07:36 AM

They're great aren't they. Next time you see a really bright meteor, use the binos to check to see if it left a trail behind it. That is awesome. Real star dust.

erick (Eric) · #**908** 25-09-2009, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc63

Thanks for the advice Eric. I was looking for The Jewel Box last night, but couldn't make it out. ....

Yes Neil, 7x are right on the limit to resolve the stars - I struggled with my old 7x. But with 10x, I think you'll just resolve the main stars, particularly the red/orange star in the middle.

Pogers (Rick) · #**909** 28-09-2009, 03:25 PM

Thanks iceman and erick,

I have a Celestron NexStar 130 SLT

It was a gift from my family as they know of my interst in space, i am slwoly learning but any help is really apprciated.

I've been realy interested in Jupiter and i wanted a closer look. What can i do?

thanks for your help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Hi Rick. 6mm eyepiece x2 sounds like quite high magnification. Could you identify the scope a bit better for us - there are a few "130"s in the Celestron range. Is it a basic EQ mount?

And what are you seeing that you are happy with, using that combination?

erick (Eric) · #**910** 28-09-2009, 03:42 PM

Sorry Rick, don't know that model. I would think it shouldn't wobble too much, so should be OK at reasonable magnifications. Was there much breeze blowing when you were trying that higher magnification? Breeze against a big tube is a problem. Do you have it assembled properly? Everything done up tight that should be?

Won't it GOTO Jupiter for you? Anyway, at present, Jupiter is the brightest spot above us (apart from the Moon) in the mid to late evening. You should be able to point it there.

As suggested, don't try the barlow with the 6mm eyepiece except on those one or two nights a year when the view through the eyepiece is superb.

Pogers (Rick) · #**911** 28-09-2009, 03:55 PM

Thnaks - no issue finding Jupiter, i just want a closer look - i will check my scope to ensure its all tight. It was a very breezey night, will try without the barlow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Sorry Rick, don't know that model. I would think it shouldn't wobble too much, so should be OK at reasonable magnifications. Was there much breeze blowing when you were trying that higher magnification? Breeze against a big tube is a problem. Do you have it assembled properly? Everything done up tight that should be?

Won't it GOTO Jupiter for you? Anyway, at present, Jupiter is the brightest spot above us (apart from the Moon) in the mid to late evening. You should be able to point it there.

As suggested, don't try the barlow with the 6mm eyepiece except on those one or two nights a year when the view through the eyepiece is superb.

Scorpius51 (John) · #**912** 03-10-2009, 09:36 AM

Rick, you may like to check out this site that reviews the 130 SLT: http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/public/im/cel130SLT.html. He does talk about tube vibrations. He also adds some extra weight to the mount to help stabilize it.

Cheers & good viewing

romeriolopez (Matt) · #**913** 13-10-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogers

Thanks iceman and erick,

I have a Celestron NexStar 130 SLT

It was a gift from my family as they know of my interst in space, i am slwoly learning but any help is really apprciated.

I've been realy interested in Jupiter and i wanted a closer look. What can i do?

thanks for your help.

Hi,

My father is recently retired and has been a space / astronomy nut for years. I'm thinking of getting him a telescope of some description. He's interested in viewing the planets (and personally I think it would be cool to be able to see Jupiter or the rings on Saturn - even if they are a little fuzzy).

I had settled on a Celestron NexStar 130SLT (reflector) with a 2x Barlow, however someone has suggested a Celestron 102SLT (refractor), which has thrown a spanner in my decision making processes.

There's only a $100 difference in cost at my local shop (Bintelshop).

In short i'm after something that:
- simple enough for a first timer to use (he's a computer geek, so shouldn't have too many problems operating the skyaligh system)
- provides good visibility of objects in the sky (stars / nebulae as well as nearby planets)
- can be packed up and thrown (placed delicately) into the boot of a car and driven to the hills around Adelaide.

The motorized goto system on both these models seem handy, as it will give Dad plenty of things to look at while he discovers how to use it.

I guess i'm after any tips / advice from people who have purchased one or both of these scopes, and their experiences with the scopes.

Is a 2x Barlow a useful addition to each scope?

Is there any other scopes I should consider for the same budget ~$1000?

Sorry for the long first post - i'm still getting my head around the astronomy and telescope vernacular.

Cheers,

Matt

erick (Eric) · #**914** 13-10-2009, 09:59 AM

Hi Matt

The 102 SLT sounds like it might suit your father. No tweaking needed, as you would need to do with a reflector (collimation). Nice and compact. Easy to view through. Computerised GOTO. Should make using it a breeze. I have no direct experience of it, however. Go into Bintel and have a good talk to the guys, explain the situation and see what they recommend. Don't worry about a barlow lens now, in fact it may not be used very much even if you had one. Instead, perhaps one or two better quality 1.25" eyepieces later on?

Let us know how it goes
Eric

Orbit (Guy Walsh) · #**915** 14-10-2009, 06:12 AM

HI

My name is Guy and I'm checking out your forum from Preston Lancashire England.

I wanted to see some of the Southern images your taking and see how its all done down under

Cheers
Guy

Kevnool (Kev) · #**916** 24-10-2009, 01:29 PM

Welcome Guy to IIS.

Its a grand place here, we are a friendly bunch of people here.
Enjoy your stay with us,lay back and see how its all done southern style.
Cheers Kev.

Dielectric (Arif) · #**917** 27-10-2009, 12:06 AM

Firstly, I really do envy you guys for being in the southern hemisphere and being in the least light polluted country in the world (well almost).

I was fascinated by IIS- really great stuff and great articles. Many thanks for squeezing in a pomme.

Cheers Arif

kingkong01 (James) · #**918** 28-10-2009, 10:12 AM

hello i am fairly new to astronomy and don't quite know to much about it but i find it really intriguing and fun so i hope i can learn a lot from this site. cheers

iceman (Mike) · #**919** 28-10-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orbit

HI

My name is Guy and I'm checking out your forum from Preston Lancashire England.

I wanted to see some of the Southern images your taking and see how its all done down under

Cheers
Guy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dielectric

Firstly, I really do envy you guys for being in the southern hemisphere and being in the least light polluted country in the world (well almost).

I was fascinated by IIS- really great stuff and great articles. Many thanks for squeezing in a pomme.

Cheers Arif

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingkong01

hello i am fairly new to astronomy and don't quite know to much about it but i find it really intriguing and fun so i hope i can learn a lot from this site. cheers

Hi guys, and

to IceInSpace!

I hope you enjoy your time here, and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

sushant (Sushant) · #**920** 29-10-2009, 10:01 PM

hello everybody... i am a newbie here.... i know very lil abt astronomy n very eager 2 know.... always had many question... first thing first.... d coolest thing is to watch the existence of nothing n everything..... what shows dat ? pictures yes cool wallpapers which brings back d mood even when i just had most frustrating day.... where on this site i can get some cool pictures to fulfill this addiction i have....?