Hooked

[Strider_ (Dylan)]

I have been a lurking in these forums for quite some time now and I thought it was about time I make my first post. I am quite new to astronomy, after attending a public viewing at the local astronomy club I decided to get myself a telescope. I was quite lost as to what to buy and I spent a lot of time reading through the posts on iceinspace and reading about other peoples experiences. I am writing this so hopefully others can benefit from my experience.


At first I was set on getting a GOTO telescope with all the gizmo's, I figured this would be the easiest way to find things. But being a young man with a young family my budget was always going to play a part in my decision. After reading countless post about the ease of using a dob and the wisdom in spending hard earned money on aperture rather than gizmo's my preference was swayed towards a 12” dob. I purchased one about three months ago and I could not be more sure that I made the correct decision. Along with the scope I also purchased a copy of “Atlas of the southern night sky”, armed with my book and my scope I have become truly hooked. I get a little bit excited when I see clear sky at night and I know I can drag the scope out. I can spend hours upon hours sitting there hunting down clusters, galaxies, nebulas, stars and double stars.


My decision to go with the dob and not with a smaller GOTO scope I believe was one of the best decisions I made. I have been learning the constellations and how the sky moves(or earth rotates however you wish to think about it), now when I look up at night I do not just see stars I see the pictures that fellow astronomers have been seeing for centuries and I do not think I would be learning the sky so easily if my telescope simply moved to the objects I wish to view. It is very satisfying deciding to view an object and locating it by using the star maps. I still have so much to learn and see and I am sure this hobby is with me for life. So thank you to everyone who posts on ieinspace you helped steer my decision to the dob which I am sure is why I am so hooked.

[batema (Mark)]

How good are those twelve inch DOBS. We got one for our school and my mate took it home first and I phoned him to see how it was going. Hearing the excitement in his voice I drove straight over and we found ab out 15 galaxies in the first hour. Another good map for the night sky comes from http://www.skymaps.com/skymaps/tesms1012.pdf for a monthly picture with good information about what can be seen with the naked eye, bioculars and telescopes. You should also download Cartes Du Ciel which is free and I find good.

Enjoy your DOB

Mark

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

a wise and informed choice.

Enjoy your dob!

[Robh (Rob)]

Dylan,

Great to hear of your experiences, enthusiasm and excitement. I have a 12 inch dob and wouldn't part with it. I am an avid star-hopper; it is the best way to learn the constellations and the positions of objects. "The thrill of the hunt" adds that something extra to the observing process.

Regards, Rob

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Great news to hear that you have been caught hook line and sinker.
Top choice 12" Dob you`ll get your dollars worth out of that scope and impress alot of people with the views.
lf you didnt lurk in the background you would of had swag more posts by now.

Keep posting.
Cheers Kev.

[Jeeps (Sam)]

Great choice in scope!

cheers

[Liz]

Dylan.
Sounds like you are on the right track with your Dob and books. All a great learning experience. Clear skies.

[Suzy]

Hi Dylan and

That was a great story and really well written. I am sure you're story will inspire other beginners questioning which way to go. I'm with you all the way on that one, as I too am an avid manual tracker, it makes you learn, and the journey of star hopping in getting to know where every star is to hop to on the way there is an invaluable learning experience. Such a rush when their found!
Electronic tracking has its advantages when you become experienced with knowing the sky and just need to get to the objects. So one day waaay down the track for me.

In the meantime, I find a planesphere is very helpful in learning constellations. As the sky moves around, the patterns change shape and can get confusing, so it shows you what they are like at any time by rotating the disc. They cost around $15 and places like Bintel, Australian Sky & Telescope etc sell them. As well as (can't get by without it) some computer software. Stellarium is free to download, though I use Starry Nights Software (which I love). In my opinion, I find it better than Stellarium (buy hey, it's free so that's got to be good too ).

Now that you have got yourself firmly and newly entrenched in this hobby, do you find yourself looking up ALL the time now?! I know I do! I can't even go to a friends place for a visit without getting out of the car and looking up (it takes me longer to get to the front door now for sure).

Oh, nearly forgot, that is a great book that you have got there, many speak highly of it, but there is another book I'd like to mention. Australia Post are selling a book for only $20 (fully worth every penny) called, "A guide to the Night Sky". It takes you on a tour around the constellations, lmuch ike having a personal tour guide by your side. Very informative and lots of pics of the objects. Go on, buy yourself a christamas pressie, you know you want to! People I know that have gotten this book have really enjoyed it.

Now, with a post like that as an introduction, I really do hope you will post more, I look forward to your contributions and you would have helped many already with that one single post.

Kind regards,
Suzy.

[BLiTZWiNG (Trent)]

I prefer Starry Night over Stellarium too. I hope Stellarium gets better though.

[Stu Ward]

I'm another hooked dob user. Although I do slightly regret getting an 8", I should have stretched for more aperture.
The only thing that keeps me going out more are the bloody mozzies and the clouds. I also love the star hopping but some nights I dont have the patience and wish I had a goto dob !!

[Osirisra (Ken)]

I love my 14" Dob, even tho it has goto I prefer to star hop as I like to know where I'm point at and how to navigate around. Having tracking is one major benefit of a goto system.