Newbie, gidday from Melbourne

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #1 03-07-2006, 08:19 PM

Hi folks, nice site. Have been browsing for awhile and decided to join.

Of course my interest is astronomy.

I wasn't very attentive at school (many many moons ago) and am currently doing VCE as an Adult, although I only started to do it to help my kids with maths and the likes.

Anyway, got caught up in studies and enjoyed them so much I am looking to eventually convert there studies to further studies. So far have completed maths methods 3 & 4 and are now doing Physics 3 & 4. I also started Specialist Maths 3 & 4 but had to drop at week 7 as I didn't have time to devote to it. I'll do it next year, although, I know it's going to be tough.

Anyway, I can now help the kids but they no longer want my help, it always ends in fights.

Hopefully I’ll learn enough to be able to take these studies further but that's still a year or two off yet.

In the mean time I’ll be able to bug my wife about the need for a new telescope, my old 75mm refractor is showing it's age.

So, That’s enough from the "me show", once again, gidday from downunder

h0ughy (David) · #2 03-07-2006, 08:53 PM

Welcome and i hope your studies go well

danielsun · #3 03-07-2006, 09:00 PM

Welcome Wasyoungonnce !!

to the family here at IIS.

EzyStyles (Eric) · #4 03-07-2006, 09:04 PM

welcome Wasyoungonce . so how old are you btw

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #5 03-07-2006, 09:09 PM

thanks gents, i'm finding the IIS projects, articles and DIY section quite informative.

A gentleman never tells his age?? Or is that "a woman never tells their age"???

Oh, what the heck...47

EzyStyles (Eric) · #6 03-07-2006, 09:14 PM

no pressure no pressure

don't want to make you feel bad but nearly double my age

all families here so no worries.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #7 03-07-2006, 09:19 PM

Hi wasy.

Lives in Victoria, 47, didn't pay attention at school, interested in Astronomy, has kids that fight, went back to school at a late age, Hmmmmm.

I'd say I wrote that, except I'm 49 this month, so it ain't me

Welcome to this place. If you want to do some observing with like-minded people (astronomy, not the lousy school days) there are quite a few members in Melbourne. I am up at Snake Valley and you are welcome to our Astronomy Camps. Heck, your even welcome at our Astro Association if you are willing to drive up on the occasional Friday nights. One member comes up from Frankston!

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #8 03-07-2006, 09:21 PM

old, but i prefer the term "experienced"

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #9 03-07-2006, 09:27 PM

ballaratdragons, thanks for the invite. i live in lilydale so i miss some of the "city sky glow" and do get some good observational nights here although it's cold and wet these days, not even the dog will stay with me outside.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #10 03-07-2006, 09:33 PM

ballaratdragons! Gee, I haven't been called that for a long time

Lilydale is a bit far to pop up here on Friday nights!!!! But the Camps are great.

Wish my dogs would stay inside. The blasted things are both black and I keep tripping over them while I am viewing!!!!!!!!

Great that you have dark skies.

mick pinner · #11 04-07-2006, 09:38 AM

welcome, we are getting a few members in the outer eastern suburbs now so we may be able to arrange a get together.

iceman (Mike) · #12 04-07-2006, 09:47 AM

Welcome! I hope you enjoy your stay - ask plenty of questions and offer lots of advice!

How did you hear about us?

mickoking · #13 04-07-2006, 12:03 PM

G,day Wasyoungonce welcome

Have any observing prefrences? deepsky, planetery, imaging etc etc.

ving (David) · #14 04-07-2006, 12:55 PM

hi wasyoungonce (names a mouthfull (or finger full to type anyhow),

i assume your kids are in thier teens? it doesnt matter how much more you know than them at that age, you cant tell them anything

its just a teen thing

welcome aboard

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #15 04-07-2006, 03:03 PM

yep kids in teens, all girls.

I always try to bestow my wisdom on them but strangely they don't appear to want this. Until! "dadddddd can you please fix ..."xxxx" for me, please", followed by smiles warm loving looks that they really do need me.

Or their other trick?

When they want someting fixed they walk pass me with a hammer in their hands. That usually provokes me into being nice too them again.

My girls know have trained me well.

But, these moments soon pass and are few and far between, thus i acclaim that i have spare time for "Me", aka Astronomy. My astronomy adventures are from 50 miles (the edge of space?) up to the edge of the known universe.

I am considering purchasing a newer telescope but i will look around quite a bit first and read what others have to say before approaching the finance minister. Would love to do some Astrophotography.

As for how i found IIS... i have been trolling the net

ving (David) · #16 04-07-2006, 03:22 PM

yup, teenage girls... i have one of them

i know exactly where you are coming from.

when you are ready to purchase a scope anounce it her and we'll help ya decide how to spend your hard earned cash

astro_nutt · #17 05-07-2006, 12:53 AM

Welcome Wasyoungonce!!!...great to have you aboard!!!..yeah I've got 2 teen girls as well...always changing things around and making more work for me..at least they make the cuppa's and fetch the aeroguard..bless them!..
Please take advantage of the wealth of experiece that this forum has to offer!!..
As for scopes..check out
www.bintel.com
www.yorkoptical.com
www.astro-optical.com
Cheers!!

mojo (Terry) · #18 05-07-2006, 02:47 AM

Missing some .au's on the end of those links?

xelasnave · #19 05-07-2006, 10:37 AM

Welcome from me. There has never been a better time to buy a scope price and selection is wonderful..and it sounds as though you have a good place to use it. Your only regret will be that you did get serious years earlier.. there is so much to see and we have the best hemisphere. Do you have any interest in doing astro photos at sometime as that is a consideration in scope selection.
If the pressure of fatherhood ever starts to get to you think about me...60 orbits completed around the Sun next Jan. and I have a wonderful little girl only 7 years old. Apart from my net chat she is the only human conversation I have so she is my Universe and I am her slave, that makes me the luckiest man alive in my book.
alex

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #20 05-07-2006, 11:09 AM

Thanks gents for the warm "howdy".

Astrophotography is one area I’d like to explore. It's just an area that interests me.

Although i don't profess any knowledge on the subject I was involved with servicing and teaching of aircraft camera maintenance, high/low altitude, still, video and infrared.

They were not "astrophotography type cameras" though.