Introduction from a newcomer

[Bolt]

Hi everyone!

I first heard about IIS a bit more than a year ago when I began to pick up on my childhood interest in the night sky, and I've finally gotten around to signing up. I'm still only 18 so I am quite terrible at navigating the sky at the moment, but I hope to improve soon! Maybe sometime I'll be able to use my $60 Aldi scope properly...

I picked up a keen interest in photography maybe five years ago, and since then have owned a 550D and very recently a 6D (with which I have yet to take a proper nightscape). This combination of interests has led me to become very eager to finally witness the Milky Way for myself and successfully image it! (I'm a fan of Mr Mike Salway's photography!) I go overseas quite soon, and hope to accomplish that while I'm gone.

Hopefully I'll be able to tag along for this year's AstroCamp and get to meet some of you guys. Meanwhile I'm looking forward to getting to know the community better online. :)

-Zack

[Quoll]

Hi Zackary

A big welcome to IIS!

I’m a newbie too and still trying to find my way around the night sky. I’ve also an interest in photography and photographing nightscapes and like you I’ve yet to take a “proper” nightscape :). It’s through my interest in nightscapes that I’ve returned to astronomy after many, many years.

Wishing you clear skies

Bill

[OzStarGazer]

Hello from another newbie!
I like to take pics too. I have taken quite a few pics of the moon (in particular) + other planets (Jupiter and even Mars, although Mars looks like a star...). They told be it will be bigger at the beginning of April. :)

[OzStarGazer]

PS: I would suggest you download Stellarium (it's free!) if you want to learn to navigate the sky and recognize what you see through your telescope. :)

[barx1963]

Hi Zachary and welcome to IIS.
The best way to learn your way around the night sky is to go and look. There is a very good book called "A Walk Through the Southern Sky" (see http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories/Books--Charts-and-Software/A-Walk-Through-The-Southern-Sky/665/productview.aspx ) which is a naked eye tour of the sky. Allow you to learn the signpost stars and the constellations.
Once that is under control you have a great start to successful navigation.
What scope do you have BTW?

Malcolm

[Bolt]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

We sound very similar, Bill!

OzStarGazer, that's awesome - my Moon shots don't ever seem to turn out right... I actually got Stellarium a couple of days ago and have been trying it out. It feels foreign to me after using Star Walk and what not on iOS, but I'll definitely keep at it once I get back from my trip!

Hi Malcolm, will take a look at that book sometime. I'm not too sure what scope it is, it's a brand called 'Traveler' (one of those Aldi brands) 700mm reflector scope, labelled '175 Power'. Any idea what it is? Bought it probably six or more years ago...

[OzStarGazer]

Hi Zack,

For small telescopes a point-and-shoot camera is better than a DSLR camera. If you have one give it a go. I first read about this and could hardly believe it, but it is true! I have both and first tried the DSLR without satisfactory results and now the images are much crisper with the point-and-shoot camera!

[Quoll]

Zachery, I found the book Malcolm recommends excellent for beginners like us. Have you checked out your local library they may have a copy, and probably other books on astronomy. I had the book on loan from my local library but I’ve since ordered a copy. If you are buying a copy the latest is the third edition.

Bill

[raymo]

It's a bit simplistic to say that a point and shoot is better than a
DSLR for small scopes. It would be better to say that it can be.
The size of the scope is largely irrelevant;
it's the mount which decides the issue. If the mount is strong and
stable the mirror and shutter vibrations will not usually affect the image,
and if sometimes they do, with the moon you can use a higher shutter speed to eliminate any blurring. Also, most point and shoots don't allow
you to get the best exposure, and on the moon exposure is very important.
raymo

[OzStarGazer]

Yes, you are right. Some small telescopes have a strong mount, and it is what counts if you want to attach the camera of course. Mine actually could work with a DSLR camera I think if I buy a new focusser (and I will one day - this helical one is just not strong enough). I don't know the Aldi telescope the OP mentions.
I bought a new point-and-shoot camera just after Christmas and with the Canon cashback is was really cheap. I am pretty happy with it so far. :)

[raymo]

I'm not knocking point and shoots, in fact I got a stunning series
of pics of a lunar eclipse with my Fuji compact.
raymo

[Bolt]

Sorry guys, internet opportunities here are rather sporadic.

Bill, that's actually a brilliant idea! Don't believe I haven't thought of that, will definitely take a look at the local library when I get back. Thanks!!!

OzStarGazer and Raymo, thanks for the insight! I do have a point and shoot but I don't have a camera mount for my scope unfortunately - not even for my SLR! I actually got my 6D from JB during the cashback promotion - got the kit for about $1000 less than RRP. Helps that I work there though.

That being said I'm really happy with my setup right now. Just gotta hit the books and improve!

[OzStarGazer]

With digital cameras it is not a problem to delete bad images, so you can take as many shots as you want until you take some you like. :)
Last night I managed to take a pic of Saturn I like, even if it is tiny. I am happy because the rings are clearly visible. :nerd: It was also the first time I could view Saturn at all. (Until now it was hidden behind trees until dawn.) Astronomy requires a lot of patience, but it is rewarding. :)

[Bolt]

Definitely - I'm not afraid to shoot. I think I took something like 50 supermoon shots when I was still using my 550D but none of them looked particularly eye-catching. This was before I really appreciated post-processing, however.

That's great! Shot through a telescope I assume? I'm really looking forward to being able to recognise more constellations and see more objects!:D