Is this worth my while

[Jumbo2608 (Sam)]

Hi everyone!!

I've recently decided to lessen the amount of doco's I watch on the stars and get out and have a look for myself.

Problem is, I live in the heart of Sydney (Stanmore) ... and am worried what (if anything) of interest I might be able to see due to light pollution.
Thankfully it is dark in my little backyard .. but worried more so about general city lights causing problems (is there anything I can do to help .. eg. surround my scope with a tarp or something?)

Sadly I don't currently have a car so transporting it somewhere darker isn't an option at all.. would my purchase be worthwhile or a waste of dollars. From what I've read and my budget, i was considering getting an 8" DOB..

Plus I only have a very small balcony to use so I can pretty much only look Up, South, and West (tree and roof block any view East or North).

Also, I should add, I'm pretty lazy, so I won't be heading out to any stargazer party meets in case anyone wants to suggest I see for myself.Yes, i'm

[erick (Eric)]

Better sit out on your balcony tonight and tell us tomorrow how many stars you can see with your eyes - can you identify them? That will help us understand your situation - except there is a huge bright Moon in the sky at the moment. Try again in two weeks time and report back.

Up, South and West is OK - plenty to see in those directions.

[Jumbo2608 (Sam)]

Will do ...
Thanks for the quick reply Erick...
Oh and nice binoculars :|

[renormalised (Carl)]

You can get filters to help minimise the light pollution you get through your scope, plus there's plenty of objects to see in the south and west

[mark3d]

light pollution can actually be an advantage to a newbie in one sense.. only the brightest stars are visible so ive found its easier to learn to find things.. in a really dark sky theres bloomin stars everywhere

[OneOfOne (Trevor)]

We went up to Castlemaine over the long weekend and there were so many stars, it was difficult to find the Southern Cross! I almost felt like putting on my sunglasses to simulate what I can see from my backyard (12km from Melbourne, with three football ovals nearby).

[mrsnipey]

Have you thought about getting some good binoculars instead of a telescope. You won't need a car either. Sitting in a chair on the balcony with my binoculars takes up most of my free nights (when the clouds aren't around).

[snowyskiesau]

I live a few kilometres from you (Haberfield) and mostly I use my binoculars as they're easy to set up - no polar alignment!
It's surprising what you can see even from a light polluted suburban site.

[Jumbo2608 (Sam)]

I think i will upgrade my binoculars ... at least then i get some daytime entertainment (I assume) .. current pair are good for inspecting the overflying planes, but otherwise, not so good.
Plus i guess i can travel with them on public transport to somewhere suitable (during the odd camping trip out dark sky way) ..

so far the sky has yet to show me a single star .. crappy weather .. fingers crossed some of this rain is falling in the dam.

My fishtank broke on friday and poured litres of water through the shop beneath me .. sadly i think my telescope money will go towards their repairs

Seems for now I will have to get off my ass and go look through someone else's scope (although there is a possibility my ex gf will give me her dad's scope .. its some old school but elite schmidt cassegrain...it's perhaps 5years old should it still be good or likely past its prime ... i'm sure he's replacing it for a reason .. although he is super rich, so perhaps he just likes having something new).

Time to see what public observatories might lend me a gander in the meantime til next pay check arrives.

oh well ... seems the weather, finances, something always gets in the way.

Thanks for all the suggestions all the same...