mookins
17-03-2013, 11:49 PM
Hello everyone. My name is Michael—Mikey or Mick—I reside near Sunshine, Victoria and I have had an interest in astronomy for quite some number of years. I was originally drawn by the prospect of building a telescope from scratch (can't even remember how I stumbled upon that idea), it fits in nicely with my love of anything scientific/technical and also helps fill in some of the wonder of our existence on this tiny little planet in the vast sea of the cosmos.
I purchased this weekend a second hand Saxon 130 with an equatorial mount with clock drive. It seems in reasonable condition and looks fantastic set up in the lounge room. I may however also buy a 70mm refractor before the trip as more reading indicates that these are pretty swish to start with and a lot more portable.
I bought the equipment in preparation for a two week trip to the Snowy Mountains over Easter where I am hoping I can test out all the theory I have been reading up on and listening to (Astonomy 161 podcasts).
I hope to come along to some star parties when I can; go to dark sky areas close by for short weekend trips; design, machine, assemble and test bits and pieces both mechanical (I am already unhappy with the mount the Saxon came with) and electrical/electronic; and eventually build a telescope from scratch including the grinding of mirrors.
In general I hope I can give back as much as I am sure will take from everyone on the forums and that I meet in the hobby, although I doubt it.
-Mikey
I purchased this weekend a second hand Saxon 130 with an equatorial mount with clock drive. It seems in reasonable condition and looks fantastic set up in the lounge room. I may however also buy a 70mm refractor before the trip as more reading indicates that these are pretty swish to start with and a lot more portable.
I bought the equipment in preparation for a two week trip to the Snowy Mountains over Easter where I am hoping I can test out all the theory I have been reading up on and listening to (Astonomy 161 podcasts).
I hope to come along to some star parties when I can; go to dark sky areas close by for short weekend trips; design, machine, assemble and test bits and pieces both mechanical (I am already unhappy with the mount the Saxon came with) and electrical/electronic; and eventually build a telescope from scratch including the grinding of mirrors.
In general I hope I can give back as much as I am sure will take from everyone on the forums and that I meet in the hobby, although I doubt it.
-Mikey