Central Coast nOOb Viewing ?

[Shano592]

Hi All,

New to this hobby, but I am having a ball with a very limited Powerseeker 60AZ.

That said, I did manage to stumble upon Saturn last night, and was able to clearly discern the (edge-on) rings - WOW!

Which clubs are nearby to me (I'm in the Budgewoi area), that would allow me to get a look through a few different scopes before I buy mine?

Truth be told, I am torn at the moment ... At the moment, I am more than happy to spin the scope, and look at where she lands, and be contect with just going ... "Awesome!" But I am certain that this will change eventually, and I will want to get into some form of astrophotography sooner than later.

From just my reading of this forum, AS+T magazine, and a couple of Google searches, my initial thoughts are to either go for a 10/12-inch Dob, or something like a Celestron NexStar 6/8e.

I realise that each has their limitations for my potential requirements, and I need to be certain that what I get, I can use for the foreseeable future.

One advantage of being where I am, is that I am fairly equidistant from both Gosford and Newcastle.

Names and meeting dates will be accepted with great thanks ...

:help:

[hector]

Welcome
There are quite a number of people who live on the Coast and are interested in Astronomy. There are regular observing group sessions at the Pony Clug at Mangrove Mt. The closest Astronomical Society would be the Newcaswtle group. http://www.nas.org.au/
There are usually numerous poeple at the Pony Club who would enjoy talking to you about observing, telescopes, astrophotography and what ever else you may be interested in.
Again Welcome to Ice In Space and
Enjoy Astronomy
Andrew

[Shano592]

Thanks for the reply, Andrew.

Where in Mangrove Mountain is the Pony Club, exactly? Sorry, I am fairly new to NSW (escaped from WA).

How often are the Pony Club observers' meetings ?

[Rodstar]

Shane, just keep an eye out in the Star Parties section of the forum and the Pony Club gathering thread will come up each month in the week or two before New Moon. I think the directions are in a sticky thread there.

Welcome to IIS.

With telescope selection, come and try out the different types before spending all that money! There are always a range of scopes at the Pony Club to try. Hopefully we will see you there later this month!

[hector]

Good to hear of your escape. The observing sessions are usually held on New Moon weekends. The pont club is on Wisemans Ferry Rd, about 6-7 km past the stop sign at the intersection of George Downes Rd. I Know that the next Pony Club meeting will be advertised in this forum and someone wiould be happy to act as a guide I am sure. There is also a map on here as well. Scopes will range in size from 4" to 20". there will also be several Astrophotographers there as well either imaging or taking wide angle shots of the Milky Way with their Dslr's
Maybe see you there sometime.
Andrew

[gary]

Hi Shane,

Welcome! :welcome:

A map to the Pony Club can be found in this thread here -
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=26142

The Pony Club is at Mangrove Mountain, a short drive up the F3 freeway
and then a detour in the direction of Wiseman's Ferry.

Announcements about gatherings at the Pony Club appear regularly on
this forum.

As most observers prefer to observe on the Saturday night closest to
Last Quarter and New Moon, look for announcements here prior to
those time periods.

Before you buy your next scope, the very best advice is to join
a gathering such as one of these and have a look through a few scopes
first and talk to the owners.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai NSW

[Shano592]

That is entirely the aim! I would like to see the differences, as well as the similarities, along with each type of scope's limitations.

Thanks again for the replies.