New, with lots to learn.

[Shark Bait]

I have been poking around 'ice in space' for a few weeks now, and have been looking at the great images of Comet Lovejoy. There are some skilled astro photographers hunting this comet. :thumbsup: For the time being my astro photography is limited to clamping a small digital camera to the eyepiece.

I was hooked on the night sky when Halley's Comet swung by in 1986. Since then most of my observing has been with 7 x 50 binoculars mounted on a home made parallelogram. Over the last year I have upgraded to a cheap 80mm refractor and a nice 12" GoTo Dobsonian. The refractor was picked up second hand for my Son but its days are numbered as my son prefers the views from the Dobsonian. I have enjoyed every minute of my time under the stars. Why did I wait so long?

Looking forward to meeting some of you at the dark sky and urban astro sites in and around Brisbane. :hi:

[Octane]

Welcome aboard, Stu. :)

This place is a wealth of information.

H

[mishku]

:welcome: to IIS, Stu!

[jjjnettie]

Hi Stu!
Where about's in Brissie are you from?
Plenty of members here in the South East.

[Shark Bait]

Nothside of Brisbane JJJ, near North Pine Dam.

I am looking forward to heading out to Hazeldean with BAS when they hold their next New Moon observing weekend. This will be the first time that I will have been to this venue. Hoping for clear skies. You have nice dark skies out your way.

If the weather holds I will head to Lake Moogerah with my Brother tonight. Would like to see Comet Lovejoy under dark skies before it is too faint.

Thanks for the welcome JJJ, Octane and Mishku.

[Ric]

Hi Stu and welcome

This is the place to be, the knowledge base here is amazing.

Cheers

[brian nordstrom]

:D welcome from the far north Stu , nice 12 inches of light gathering mmm .. :thumbsup:hope you get out and enjoy , but we up here will be lucky as the wet is upon us ..:sadeyes: .
Brian .

[Shark Bait]

Thanks Ric & Brian,

This forum is a great place to pick up knowledge. We may not be having a wet season down here but the weather forecast seems to be missing the mark lately. Overcast skies seem to be the norm at the moment. With a bit of luck the NT and Nth Qld will avoid being hit by another big cyclone this season. You have already had a close call. Hope you get clear skies soon.

Your right! The 12" mirror is providing stunning views. Once it is collimated the stars are pinpoints of light. 47 Tuc just gets better the more it is magnified. The Jewel Box is one of my favorite open clusters and the Orion and Tarantula Nebulas are eye openers with the OIII filter. Years of stargazing ahead of me.

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: yum.
Brian.