Greetings from the NT :)

[Cosmic (Daniel)]

G'day guys,

As I have stated in the beginners sticky by Iceman. I'm 25 and new to the sene of astronomy and seeking the best experience from the great above Darwin's approaching the wet session, well its kind of here already and im hoping that im still able to get some viewing in...fingers crossed.

I'm really keen on purchasing a 12" Deluxe Meade Lightbridge as suggested by a member of the Darwin astronomy group, I cant afford the 16 inch (the wife http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/....ies/screwy.gif she just cant justify it lol its not a phase!!!). Now I haven't looked through one yet, but with a bit of luck the 9th Oct brings clear skys for Darwin for there viewing night.

I have two questions I would love to be answered. Is it possible to view events/strange movements that no-one else has seen or predicted. Or is the sky planned and mapped out completely for as far as the dobsonian can reach?? or am I better getting the 16 inch to open more possibilities out there for me?

Is the dobsonian going to give me a clear image, I ask because it uses a mirror and not a lens?

Cheers

Cos

[renormalised (Carl)]

Hi Daniel, welcome to IIS

You'll be lucky to get any viewing (decent, that is) during summer. Too cloudy and humid!!!.

12" dob will be a great purchase and you'll get clear images (the mirrors don't really make a difference). It'll be a better image you see in most respects, to one you'll get out of refractor. For one, the 12" will gather much more light and give you a relatively brighter image. You'll be able to see more, and deeper, because of its much larger light gathering capacity.

As far as seeing things that no one else has, that's entirely up to luck and how often you observe. Plus, what you intend to observe. You never know your luck in a big sky

Doesn't matter what size scope you have, there'll always be surprises somewhere and it's just up to you and lady luck whether you see them or not. Although, the larger the scope, generally the more you will see (up to a point).

[Cosmic (Daniel)]

Hi renormalised,

As for the weather I guessed that ill have to buy a portable hairdryer

For the adventure side that is what I was hoping to hear!!!, awesome im going to love the thrill of the hunt then. Sounds like I'm on the right path, so that's good to know.


The anticipation......

Thanks for the tips.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Blow dryer??....more like a huge industrial fan is what you'll need (but not of the cyclone variety!!!)

[Liz]

Daniel.
12" Meade Lightbridge sounds great, lucky you.
yep, hopefully you can get some viewing in before the Wet Season.

[Cosmic (Daniel)]

Cheers Liz,

It would be great to get some really clear night sky's during this wet. Its just a pity I decided to embark on this telescopic adventure wrong time of session. December is when it really hits, its off and on at the moment for a while

I can battle the humidity a bit with my industrial dryer/fan/dehumidifier lol...just a shame the clouds are out of my hands....ill just wait with great patience.