New telescope

[Beano]

Hey all, let me just start off by saying cool site, its nice to have an Aussie astronomy site all from the comfort of my computer chair :thumbsup:.

I thought you guys might be able to help me with something. After reading a bunch of articles about buying a beginners telescope (well not my first, still have a small polaris 60mm thats quite wobbly) I've decided on buying a skywatcher 8 inch dob from myastroshop since its probably the best that'll fit in my price range. And i wasn't sure what else i needed to get with it to get going. I might not be able to get it with the telescope but the funds should increase within a month or two.

Thanks, Shaun

P.s. i'll probably be sticking around this site for a while so howdy :hi:

[rmcpb]

Shaun,

Welcome to IIS :)

An 8" dob is a great starter scope, great choice.

As for extras:

Observing chair otherwise you will get dobber's back. Many people just use an old office chair, drummers stool or even a fold up camping stool.
Cheshire eyepiece (a long one like the Orion one from Bintel) to help with collimation.
Red torch to preserve your night vision.
Planisphere to help you map your way around the sky.
Lots of warm clothes, especially in a Canberra winter.
Copy of Stellarium or Cartes du Ciel (both freeware for windows) fantastic planisphere applications.
Copy of RTGUI (freeware for windows) very useful for planning your sessions.
Copy of Virtual Moon (freeware for Windows) cannot say enough good things about this program.
Polarising moon filter for observing the fuller moon when its too bright to look at any other way.

Don't get into buying accessories too soon otherwise you will end up with a heap of paperweights. Take your time and get to know your scope and your observing style then you will make good and informed descisions.

A few tips:

Ensure your scope is collimated as well as you can, this will get quicker and better as you practice and will ensure you get the best possible images your scope is capable of under the prevailing conditions.
Let your scope cool before trying to observe through it. If the mirror is not near ambient you get boundary layers and thermal currents in the tube. These wreck your images so on a good evening when you get home from work just chuck your scope out and let it cool for a couple of hours as the sun goes down. This will help but, if the temperature keeps dropping as it does in Canberra, the mirror may never catch up and you may need to set up a fan eventually.
If you need a fan and don't want to put one on your scope for a while then use an ordinary fan blowing into the back of the scope while it is cooling. This will help but turn it off before trying to observe.
While your scope is cooling cruise with your binos and planisphere to map out the areas you want to observe with your scope.
Take your time with your sessions and keep a record of what you see, even sketch things, and over time you will see a great improvement in your observing skills.

Enough rambling, just enjoy your new toy :)

[DobDobDob]

:welcome: Beano, you are in the right place :thumbsup:

My advice would be to make friends with other local amateur astronomers in your area and or join a local society, to go further in your hobby.

[Mr. Subatomic]

Hey Beano, Welcome to ISS.

It's really a great scope, I seriously considered it before buying my first, but I ended up purchasing a 10" Bintel dobsonian. Either way, I still think it will provide you with excellent views. I also REALLY like black and white dobs, too bad mine's a grey-silver.

You won't have any regrets with the purchase.

[StarKers]

Hi Beano,

Welcome to IIS and the wonderful world of astronomy. I've been at it for almost three weeks now, and still learning.

Thanks to you too Rob for the tips and suggestions. Even an old timer like me can still learn something.

Happy star gazing to all,
John.

PS. Have fun with your new toy.

[duncan]

Welcome Beano,
I'm only new here too,still don't own a scope but am enjoying looking at everyone elses photos along with all the informative posts. Great site!!!
:welcome:
Duncan

[Beano]

Thanks for the welcome :) and advice. I just put in my order for the scope, a moon filter and a collimation tool now just have to wait for them to get more of the 8" back in stock, so should be set up in a few weeks. I plan on many sleepless nights.

In the meantime i'll spend some time on here looking at the pictures, there are some awesome pictures. Originally I was mainly interested in the planets and moon but after seeing some of the deep space stuff, its definetly got me interested.

[duncan]

Yeah Beano, the guys on here are taking shots as good as any ground based scope that dont have adaptive optics (ones that move to counter seeing coditions).And some are just as good as those. Check out the icemans planetary shots:eyepop:
cheers
Duncan

[ving]

gday beano! :D

8" dob = top scope :D

[jjjnettie]

Welcome aboard Beano!
While you are waiting for your scope, you should go to your local bookshop and pick up a copy of "Astronomy 2007". You'll get it for under $25.
It is THE year book for the amateur astronomer. It contains some very good basic sky maps, and a day by day, month by month ephemeris of what is happening in the night sky.

[acropolite]

Welcome to IIS Shaun, good choice of first scope. On the subject of Astronomy 2007, it's worth cutting out the sky charts and laminating them for outdoor use as they will change little from year to year.

[danielsun]

Welcome Beano!! A good choice of scope! I have an 8" Saxon/Skywatcher in amongst my collection too!

[astro_nutt]

Another welcome to you Beano...8" dobs are a fantastic scope to learn about the night sky..and please have a good browse throughout this forum..lots of experience to learn from..
Cheers! :astron:

[Ric]

Hi Beano, welcome to IIS :hi:
Congratulations on your new scope you are going to have some great times with it.
You have come to the right place, there are a lot of very knowledgable people here to help you on way.

I see that you are in Canberra, are you a member of the Canberra Astronomical Society? I've added a link to their website and we have a meeting this Thursday night.
Hope to see you there :)

http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/cas/

Cheers

[bluescope]

Hi Beano

Eight inches is a good size aperture to view a lot of the wonders in our skies. I have an 8" Newtonian, which is basically the same as a Dob, just a different mount ( equatorial ). I still probably use it more than my other scopes, it's convenient and gives great views. As you progress in this hobby you will learn of many different scopes and accesories and their particular uses and peculiarities but they all do the same thing ..... expand your mind. Welcome to OUR universe.

Steve

:thumbsup:

[tasview]

Welcome Beano,:hi:What a great scope to start off with:thumbsup:,I hope to have one of those one day:(,anyway still have a lot to learn so i hope my enthusiasm lasts the distance.Enjoy!

[Beano]

Yeah I actually bought Astronomy 2007 last week, i had a copy back when i first got interested and was really useful. The pictures make it really easy to find things.


Ric, no I'm not a member of any society... yet. I won't be able to make it tomorrow or or that matter probably any time soon, but i'll keep them in mind. Most of what I've read says that its probably the best start you can get into astronomy.

I just hope its not cloudy when i first get my scope... :cloudy:

[RB]

..... and a very big welcome to IIS from me too Shaun.
Enjoy your visits here.

:hi:

[Ric]

No worries Beano, your always welcome.

Enjoy the new scope.

[rmcpb]

Not cloudy..... you don't stand a chance. I just bought a new eyepiece and in came the clouds!! A whole scope is worth at least a fortnight of cloud :P