Hello from newbie

[jshcassidy]

Hi everyone recently I picked up a Celestron 4se with eyepiece and filter kit on ebay for a bargin price. I never intended to take this up for a hobby I just thought it was bargin price. But now i find myself getting home booting up Stellaruim having a look whats around then running upstairs and having a real look. As i said I am new to this but I am excited to see the rings around Saturn and some nice detail in the moon etc. I am looking forward to getting away one weekend and having a good play with the telescope. It is overwhelming the amount I need to learn but I guess it will come in time. I have also purchased a t adapter so i can take some snaps with my 450d. I have included a pic i took tonight of the moon its my first picture so im pretty happy with it. looking forward to participating in the future. Justin


http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7607/firstpicq.jpg

[Liz]

Welcome Justin. :hi:
Yes, is a great hobby - so much fun finding objects and enjoying their beauty, and so much to to discover up there.
That looks a very nice scope - always like the look of the NexStars, with its nice little mount, and not the complicated german equatorial type.
Good luck!! Oh, and a lovely image, well done. :thumbsup:

[Suzy]

:welcome: Justin. Great to have you on board. Yes there is a lot to learn, :lol: but that's part of the great fun, Justin - to have oodles of choice and wonder what the pickings are going to be for the night. :D

Tonight, if the weather stays clear it's going to be Lyra & Hercules for me:). It's much easier when you have an observation list ready to go and stick to just a couple of constellations a night. You will learn quicker as you won't be in-undated with so much to take it in. In no time at all you will feel at home with the night sky and it won't be so intimidating - really! These stars will soon be your friends that you excitedly greet when they re-appear in the night sky after they have been gone a while. I find reading up on their associated Greek mythology also fascinating as it puts even more of a personal attachment to it (many star books include short stories of them). For instance did you know Orion (summer object) got taken out by Scorpius the Scorpion (winter) and then Sagittarius the Centaur went after the scorpion and got him in the heart (the big star Antares). It's really quite a violent world up there isn't it! :sadeyes::lol:

Enjoy Justin!
Regards,
Suzy.

[midnight]

Greetings Justin.

I've just joined too. The EOS cameras are a fantastic way of moving into a new dimension with astronomical observations!

Cheers, Darrin...

[Allan_L]

Hi Justin,
:welcome:
What area areyou located in?
There are plenty of groups meeting aroung the contry that have regular Dark Sky outings.
You will be most welcome at any.
And this hobby is even better when you can share it with like minded friends.