[ben.]

Hi all!

Been lurking around here for a while now and have a few question that I'd love some help with..

Ok, here goes..

1. Clicking on a thread in the forums, it always brings up the last posted message first. If I want to read a thread from the beginning it's a matter of finding the first page number then clicking to that. The weird thing is that this only seems to happen on this computer (Toshiba Satellite, Win7, only a year old), when I load IIS on my iPhone, the threads always come up with the original post first. I'm sure there's a ridiculously simple way of rectifying this, any help?

2. Antares
So I've have my little NexStar 4SE since Christmas and I've seem some amazing things. From my vantage point in the backyard, the most impressive is by far Eta Carina. While not distinct, it is gorgeously fuzzy and whispy. Anyway, so there's this really big star about 600LY away called Antares (rival of Mars and all that). My question is, why is it flashing at me? When I've seen it, it is usually lowish on the horizon, but both naked eye and through the scope, I'm positive I'm seeing various colours flashing at me. Is it a variable, and is that why the colours cycle? Does it burn at a certain temperature that the wavelengths of light given off get jumbled into different colours? Is it our atmosphere scattering the light before it reaches me? Do I need to see a doctor?

3. So I'm in love with my scope and the girl that bought it for me for Christmas. I've seen various things that induced awe and wonderment (and a few giggles after the Aunt in law said 'This thing doesn't work, I can't see anything' after everytime she put her eye to the EP, we sneakily replaced the lens cover). Clearish views of Saturn got everyone a little awestruck and gave my NexImage a fun little workout (once I got the thing aligned properly). So, to the question. What, realistically, should I be able to discern? I've already mentioned Eta Carina, it's a faint cloud that begs to brighten itself up to me. Am I going to be able to make out any structure in the Sombrero? What sort of nebulosity should I be able to pick out? I'm in some relatively dark skies. About 25km north of the Sydney CBD, light pollution is a minor (I think) drama. My eyesight is excellent. What do you think?

4. I want a camera. Both for normal day to day stuff and I would love to use it with the scope. It seems that from reading others comments on astrophotography and seeing their equipment lists in their signatures, The Canons seem like standard. What's a good starting point? Cost is not an issue at this point because I'm a dare to dream kind of guy. I know it's going to be more than possible to spend over $2500 on camera plus odds and ends but for me this will be mostly wasted. What's a good, solid camera that will benefit me both at night for starry stuff and at other times when I just want some pictures? Is the Canon the only way to go? Are Sonys and Nikons etc just as well made even though their cheaper for the apparent equivalents?

5. Desperate to get to a star party or viewing night in my local area. Problem 1. I'm in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Can't find any listings for anything in the area. Probelm 2. I'm a chef. I work Wednesday thought Sunday. Do any of these astro clubs, that I either can't find or don't exist, hold meetings or viewing nights on probably the least popular nights of the week?

As I said earlier, I'm a dare to dream kinda guy.

If you made it this far, thanks for taking the time to read. If you respond in anyway, an even bigger thanks for helping this easily excitable, but none the less keen, beginner astronomer.

Cheers,

ben.