Rekindling Interest in Astronomy

[Scorp56 (Peter)]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post. I have been thinking about getting back into astronomy for a while. As a kid I would stay out till all hours looking at the wonders in the skies, (albeit with a pretty poor scope)

I came across this site after a net search and the info I found helped me decide to purchase a GS 680 8" Dobsonian scope. It arrived today from Andrew's in Sydney. All set up and waiting for the skies to darken.
So much great info here. Looking forward to new adventures and a newfound passion.

Thanks for the great site !!

Cheers,
Peter

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Welcome to IIS Peter.
Congratulations on the new purchase too. You've chosen wisely.
What sort of star maps are you using?? Or are you going out to discover it all yourself??

[Scorp56 (Peter)]

Hi Nettie,
I am re-acquainting myself with the major stars (Sirius, Canopus, Alpha Centauri etc) as signposts to the heavens.

I also intend using Stellarium software to find more interesting targets !!

Can't wait.

Cheers
Peter

[floyd_2 (Dean)]

Hi Peter, and welcome back to the hobby! If you're doing visual observing, it might be worth while getting a set of maps that you can refer to without compromising your night vision (and a red torch). Lookiing at a computer screen as you navigate the sky might tend to rob you of some of your dark adaption.

Dean

[duncan]

Welcome to IIS Peter,
Nice choice of scope mate and it will serve you well into the future.
Very friendly people here to help and offer all sorts of advice.
Just a shame none up my way ,LOL!
I work in Weipa and thats where my scope is but we've had about 3months of cloud so not much viewing going on. Fishing has been very ordinary as well.
Cheers,
Duncan

[Scorp56 (Peter)]

Hi Dean,

Thanks for advice re night vision adaptation.There is lots to re-learn.

I will have a look around the forums for some star map info.

Just about to head outside, had the scope cooling down for last 3 hours !!!

Cheers

Peter

[floyd_2 (Dean)]

Hi Peter,
how did you get clear skies? I've been waiting a week so far to use my new guidescope. Every night has been cloudy

The following sky charts might be worth considering:

1. Sky Atlas 2000.0 Field Edition (comes as a set of individual charts). You can also get a guide book to go with it.
2. Herald Bobroff Astro Atlas (excellent - big and spiral bound). This is my weapon of choice.
3. The Edmund mag 6 star atlas (an excellent beginners set of maps that only goes to Mag 6)

Dean

[erick (Eric)]

All is smiling on you - clear skies outside! Tell us how you go tonight.

[pgc hunter]

Lots of high level haze and filth, but Mars is shining brightly and Saturn will be well placed soon so go for it!

[Scorp56 (Peter)]

Hi All,

Thanks for the warm welcome to IIS.
Last night was my first outing with my new GSO 680 Dob.
I was impressed. The optics were well aligned and the unit is very easy to move. The 8X50 sight scope works very well (after alignment with main scope of course)

Conditions were not great but, I managed to find Mars, Jewel Box in Crux, Orion nebula and of course the moon.

Getting back into astronomy after many years you forget how much great stuff is out there.

Clear skies (hopefully)

Cheers
Peter

[Jabba (Keenan)]

The night sky is a great remedy for a hard days work or a stressful week.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Well done Peter. The GSO scope are great value for money IMHO. The ol' Jewell Box is a perrenial fav of mine 'cos it was the first NGC object I found by my lonesome.
Charts will be your friend in this new adventure, also get a copy of Sky & Telescope magazine, always have some targets that are in the sky!

[Scorp56 (Peter)]

I just spent last weekend in Deans Marsh , Victoria (down near the Otways)
I did not take my new scope,(wish I had) however I did pack the binoculars.

The skies were clear and so dark away from all the light pollution I get in the burbs and the field of view was also unobstructed by trees, buildings etc.
Even with the binoculars I was able to see some magnificent heavenly objects. It was breathtaking exploring the heavens, however my neck took a bit of a beating!!!!.

Next time I will take the scope.

I am interested in getting into astrophotography using CCD webcams. Can anyone suggest a good starting point for experimentation ??
Any help appreciated.

Cheers
Peter

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Hey Deans Marsh, just down the road from me! I'm in Colac.
Next time you are down here, bring the scope and drop me a line. WE occasionally have observing nights on Fridays at Camperdown, and I trying to do something about getting a night going here.

Malcolm

[Scorp56 (Peter)]

Thanks Malcolm,
I will bear that in mind for any further trips down that way

Regards

Peter

[Rick Parrott]

Great to get back into, hey?
If you have a laptop, I highly recommend getting the freeware "Stellarium" programme, it even has a "night" mode with red writing. Also the "Astronomy 20__" yearbooks, I think you can get them from here! Really helps plan an evening of observing!

[Scorp56 (Peter)]

Thanks Rick
I have Stellarium. I think it is a great resource for studying the night sky.

Just about to head out again tonight. Clear skies

PS: Has anyone had any experience with Logitech Quickcam for image capture??
or can suggest further info. Thanks

Cheers

Peter