hi from wa!

[craigt]

Hi everyone I found this site and thought id join and say g'day!
I am brand new to astronomy and am still researching where to begin. If anybody from the Perth (ish) area can offer any advice it would be greatly appreciated:)

This could be a long and fascinating journey!
Thanks in advance

craig

[raymo]

Hi Craig, and welcome from Margaret River. Firstly, I suggest that you look up your nearest Society or club, and meet some like minded people.
Secondly, download Stellarium. [free planetarium software]. It's very good and pretty easy to use. Thirdly, get a pair of 7x50 or 10x50
binoculars, if you don't already have any.
With the aid of Stellarium, and any one of many guides to the night sky
that are available, start to learn your way around the main
constellations.
Whilst doing this, try and get along to one or two observing nights
run by your nearest club, in order to familiarise yourself with the
different types of scopes, rather than jumping in and buying a scope which may turn out to be unsuitable for your needs.
Also a great help, and not expensive, is a planisphere. Sky and
Telescope magazine sell them.
Hope this helped. If you're ever down this way, pop in.
raymo

[craigt]

Thanks Raymo! I have a pair of 7×50 binos and am just waiting for some nicer weather. I have also bought a voucher for gingin and will take the family soon. I will also check out stellarium.
thanks again

[brian nordstrom]

:) Hi Craig and welcome .IIS is a great site with plenty of awesome people and a wealth of knowledge , do you have a scope or binoculars ?.

A few of us (try :D) get together at times on a Saturday night and you are more than welcome to come along .
I will PM you if you want .

Brian.

[craigt]

thanks Brian I would definitely be keen to have a go sometime.

[brian nordstrom]

:D PM sent , look for the PM icon flashing away , top right of page and click on to open the message .
Here is me at a friends in Mandurah using our nice refractors and you are welcome to come along next time .

Brian.

[garin]

Hi Craig, welcome to the hobby and IIS
I'm sure you'll enjoy your 'journey'
I'm in Perth, I don't know if you have checked out the astronomy clubs but in case you haven't I know of these ones :
Astronomical society of wa (Aswa)
Astronomy group of wa (AGWA - I belong to this one)
And I think there is a group in bunbury but I can't remember their name.

Aswa has a web site with more info.
AGWA has a Facebook group - it is closed so you'll have to got to the Facebook group and ask to join - no biggie. Once in the group you can see posts and ask whatever questions you have , much like here but everyone is in wa/Perth AGWA has meetings once a month and these are at the Ballajura until the end of the year and then we're moving to Bassendean. Bit far from man duras but if you're up in Perth on the night you might like to come along - membership is free

Maybe I see you around :)

[craigt]

Thanks Garin