Jupiter!

[sus (Susan)]

Hello,
After signing up for the AGWA emails and sending one to Keith saying I would love to learn more about my telescope he very kindly offered to come and pick me, my son and the telescope up so he could show me how to set it all up properly. So last night we went to the very informal viewing evening they hold on a Thursday at BTOW and I finally got to see Jupiter and its moons, my nearly 7 year old was so excited about seeing it even though it was quite small. So for any of you beginners in Perth head to BTOW on a Thursday evening and get to see how some of the other telescopes work or to find out more about yours.
When Keith dropped up back home I was able to set up my telescope in the garden and find Jupiter again and show my husband who was also very impressed!
Don't you just love it when people are just nice for no other reason other than being a nice person!

Sus
x

[simmo]

hello Sus and

Well done also Sus with finding Jupiter. It's really quite amazing when you bag your first planet.

I totally agree with you about Keith as he seems a very genuine person and the fact that he has those sessions on Thursday night is great for us newer astronomers.

Good luck with the future viewin' and I hope this is the start of some wonderful experiences for you. You will find that people here are just as genuine and willing to help out.

Simmo

[sus (Susan)]

Hi Simmo

Thanks...yes it was amazing seeing it as it just looks like a star with out the telescope! Really makes you stop and think about whats around you.
It felt really great to find it on my own with out any help, tonight I'm going to go out and see what I can find by using one of the ipad aps.
My feet are covered in ant bites and I have quite a few mosquito bites but it was well worth it!

Sus

[simmo]

Hi Sus

Sounds like your hooked

There is a really handy free software called 'Stellarium' that you can download onto your PC too which I've found great to get to know the sky when your just kicking around during the day. The kids will love it too at it is really easy to use.

Good Luck with tonight

Simmo

[kate_b (Australia)]

That sounds awesome Sus! And don't ant bites just seem so tiny when looking at the stars and planets....

I haven't got a telescope yet, but I'm biding my time until I can talk to people who actually use them...meanwhile I'm having a great time learning about what I can see just with my own eyes. It's really cool to be able to look up and say that's this particular planet or that's that one. I'm also hoping to learn more about how far away they are and about their make up (you know if they wear lipstick, mascara, etc...okay it's late my humour is NOT good).

Any way, Simmo's suggestion of Stellarium is brilliant. I was looking at static star charts, but with Stellarium it is all in real time and makes it quite easy to see what the stars/planets are and what they are called. I love it - and am absolutely hooked!

Keep stargazing and can't wait to hear more about the sights you see!

Kate

[sus (Susan)]

Hi

I have Stellarium on the laptop and have an app on the ipad called Go Sky Watch which is great as you can just hold it up to the sky and it will tell you what is in the direction your holding it! Amazing what technology we have at our fingertips these days! I do think though for me you can't go past a good book(I like books) which I am yet to purchase!
I was wanting to do a basic course so I could find out more about the sky but other than one of the Uni ones I have not seen any others which is a shame...would be great if Tafe had one in their short course range.

Kate I'm sure one of the shops near you would let you try one out and give you all the info you needed. Have a look on here in the buying section as there may be something for sale from someone near you but even if they are not then it's not a bother...I got some eyepieces off the forum here and was very straight forward. Seems like a lot of people say the 8" Dob are are good way to go for a beginner, I have a Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ(sounds impressive if you say it in full! hahaha) and finding the mount a bit tricky to master but with time I'll get the hang of it. I did think about the electric ones but then it kind of takes away from having to find the star/planet or what ever it is your looking for...and being a Mammy of 2 energetic boys its a great excuse for having a bit of me time, very relaxing but very exciting!
I just need to learn to drive now and then I think lots of camping trips will be in order to get away from all the lights!
Hope you have a wonderful long week end!
Sus