Noobs Night Out

[UpsizeThis]

First of all, hello to everyone. I've just been bitten by the astronomy bug recently. After some consideration I bought myself a pair of Pentax 10x50 binos. So far so good, I like them a lot.

But wouldn't you know it... I buy them and we get four cloudy nights in a row. **Shaking my fist at those clouds** But tonight I was blessed with a chance to put them to the test. Up until now, I had only used them for bird-watching. I've gotta say, these are better suited to the night sky.

So there I was, all excited and everything, ahh... such a noob. Lol. And my first thought was, "Wow!" I had no idea how much more you can see with a simple pair of binoculars. Outstanding! I started with Orion, easy enough. I know I'm new to all this but I love that Betelgeuse. I think it's the colour. Then I spotted Rigel, Sirius, Aldebaran and the Pleiades cluster. And I do believe I saw Mars, but I could be wrong. There were a few others that I wasn't too sure about. Gosh, I'm still stoked about these binoculars.

Just one question at the moment though. What should the Orion nebula look like through a pair of 10x50's? To me it appeared as a faint wispy cloud like form, that was blue in colour, with two clearly visible stars in the middle.

Additional:
After doing a bit of research online, I think that I might have been observing M78 instead.

[iceman]

Hi and :welcome: to IIS!

I remember fondly my first few nights out with my 11x70 binoculars, before getting a telescope. Just scanning the milkyway was amazing! Seeing globs and open clusters invisible to the naked eye.

[rmcpb]

Welcome to IIS :)

Binocs are a GREAT way to get into astronomy. I spent quite a few years with my eyes and an old pair of 7x50s before my first scope came along. Get yourself a planisphere (I use the large Chandler one available from most astro stores) and a comfy deck chair and you are away on the adventure of your life.

Don't forget to observe the moon, its amazing how much you can see with binocs.

Also have a look at this site (http://www.lightandmatter.com/binosky/binosky.html#about) for bino observing themes.

Keep looking up.......

[UpsizeThis]

Thanks for the welcome all. And thanks for the link rmcpb. Yeah, a reclining lawn chair or something would be good, especially with Orion being directly overhead at the moment. Actually it would be a good idea in general. There are about six street-lights that can really screw up a good view from my place. But I can get a good view of pretty much anything directly overhead. Views to the low southern sky are obstructed by quite a few tall trees. The west is okay at the moment, that particular street-light is busted. I hope they don't fix it. ...I live in a pretty good neighbourhood, and security isn't much of a concern.

[leon]

Welcome I too have a Pentax 10 x 50 bino's, you are correct, they are suited for the night sky, and are a constant companion whilst out imaging during the night.

Leon

[Paullym]

Hi all

You have done the exact same thing as me Upsizethis. I too have just brought a pair of 10x50 Pentax and I too am cursing the clouds! I've not had a chance to get out and see stars yet, Hopefully over the xmas break!

Good luck with your stargazing!

Paul

[thorsdad]

Hi there Upsize this (you'll have to include your name it will be easier:)), you have discovered first hand the so-called new equipment curse. ie You get a new scope, binocs, or eyepieces, etc, and you can be guaranteed of cloudy skies for a while anyway:doh:.

I find I use my 10x50s even when I have the scope out, good for scanning the sky. I agree with the other post, get yourself a planisphere and start learning the sky, and if you can get to a dark site that would be great. I spent about a week in March at a friend's cabin in the Latrobe Valley and could clearly see the Magellanic clouds naked eye:eyepop:.
I hate street lights. :mad2:

Welcome and have fun :thumbsup:

[UpsizeThis]

I've managed to pickup a planisphere already, it's a real boon. I've also found the open source program 'Stellarium' to be pretty good.

As for the user name... I use 'UpsizeThis' with pretty much everything online. On other forums that I visit, most people just call me 'UT" or "Upsize". I'll change my profile so that my title mentions my real name.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

[erick]

Yep, flick Stellarium to it's night time mode, turn the brightness of your computer right down, and use it while you are out observing.