Introducing myself

[RobinClayton]

Hi,

I have been watching and learning from these forums for a while. I live in suburban Adelaide and from my back yard, i can only see the brightest stars and never the milky way or the Magellanic clouds.

Originally started with a celestron astromaster that my wife bought for me one birthday a few years back. Very good introductory scope and showed me quite a lot of clusters and the planets, but also didn't show me a lot of stuff.

Finally upgraded to a 10" Dobsonian and joined the Astronomical Society of SA. Learnt even more about what is possible to see from back yard and from dark sites. A lot of discussions on this site suggested more is better, but also harder to transport, so 10" seemed a good compromise. I have now seen a few galaxies from astronomy club dark sites.

In future, hoping to learn even more. On my wish list are lots more galaxies and any comets.

regards

Robin

[Kunama]

Hello Robin and welcome, its an amazing site with an impressive span of knowledge across the full spectrum of astronomy. I hope you enjoy it. There are quite a few members from Adelaide on here.
(I used to live in Nangwarry, Mt Burr, Elizabeth and Norwood between 1970 and 1977)

Cheers,
Matt

[leon]

Welcome Robin, good move to come to this site, so much help is available from the members, you will not regret it mate, enjoy.

Leon

[jjjnettie]

:) Welcome to IIS

[Scorpius51]

Welcome to the IIS forum Robin.

You've chosen well with the 10" Dob - it's a very good compromise between portability and aperture. It should serve you well, and hopefully delay the onset of aperture fever.

Good viewing!

Cheers
John

[Larryp]

Welcome, Robin.

[pmrid]

Hello Robin, thanks for dropping a note. There's no such thing as a beginner in astronomy. We've all been looking at the stars since we were born. Keep looking up!!
Peter

[Rodstar]

Or, from another perspective, we are all beginners, based on the principle that the more you know, the more aware you become of how much you don't know.

Welcome Robin! :welcome:

[Paddy]

Hi Robin and welcome to one of the best supports for discovering astronomy! Great choice to join a club - hope you have lots of fun discovering lots of stuff!

[barx1963]

Hi Robin and well done on the 10"
I frequently recommend that beginners use an 8" or 10" dob as a first scope for ease of use, portability and good aperture for the dollars.
Hope it gives you many years of pleasant viewing.
Just watch out for aperture fever!

Malcolm

[Liz]

Welcome Robin :hi:

Next year will be the 'Year of the Comet' .... 2 biggies predicted :D