Another newbie here

[figgylion (Steve)]

Hello folks
Been lurking here for a while now and I thought it about time I said hello.

Foolishly I started off with a "department store" telescope, it was so bad I eventually just packed it up in the box and went back to my Bino's.

Instead of giving up this wonderful hobby(soon to be obsession?) I decided to do some research and get myself a decent starters scope.
After reading many of the helpful threads on which scope to buy and checking out reviews etc around the net I eventually decided to go with the skywatcher 8" Dob.
I originally was going to go with a goto type scope but after getting to know my way around the night skies a little better from using the binos (and Stellarium), I think a goto might just take a little of the fun away rather than actually finding something yourself. Maybe that can be a future investment.
After a short wait for my new scope, it arrived yesterday and obviously it's been pouring rain ever since
Well I'm sure there will be lots of questions for you good folks later on, but for now, I'll just have to wait for this horrible weather to bugger off.

Cheers
Steve

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

well there is something that you can do while you wait, learn how to collminate thats always a fun thing and something that you should do most every time with a newt.! look though the threads in here they cover it in great detail

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Great purchase and choice Steve. Remember, it may be frustrating waiting to use your new toy BUT the stars will still be there when the clouds clear

[NeilW]

Hi Steve,

Must be a common problem. I just bought the same scope in Adelaide and look what happened...

http://mirror.bom.gov.au/radar/IDR46...20081212144934




Neil

[figgylion (Steve)]

Brendan - I've been reading up on doing just that, cheers for the advice.

Rob - Very good point, I'll have to keep that in mind

Neil - We can't be the cause of this awful weather, can we?

[NeilW]

Nothing can bring in a weather front quicker than the purchase of a new telescope

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

No doubt that you are the cause of the recent rain.

New astro gear attracts moistions (moist-e-ons) which when combined together in sufficient numbers trigger a rainfall event.

The bigger and more expensive the purchase the more moistions are attracted...$ spent and number of moistions are directly correlated. In the end, if you spend more you get more rain.

The positive side to this is that if you are going to get rain with any astro purchase, you might as well spend a lot at once to be done with the bad weather.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

"World purchase expensive astro gear day" I think it has a homely ring to it

with the catch phrase.

Spend big, break the drought, then have 5 years of clear skies!

[figgylion (Steve)]

Just one night would do me at the moment. Beautiful clear skies all day here, go to work at 4pm until 1am. Thinking a good few hours after work checking out a few sights would be awesome.
Guess what, completely overcast skies again, can't even see a hint of that big full moon through the damn clouds
Oh well, off to watch the soccer on Fox, bet my team loses too.

[montewilson (Monte)]

The clouds won't always be there but the stars will....

Enjoy!

[figgylion (Steve)]

Originally Posted by montewilson

The clouds won't always be there but the stars will....

Enjoy!

and my football team will always be crap! Yep, they lost

[garyp]

Good choice on the Dob steve. I have one too and I'm really enjoying it.

Pity about the weather I haven't had a clear night here in a couple of weeks but it will clear one day soon. hopefully

Cheers

gary

[figgylion (Steve)]

Clear skies at last. Woo hoo

Fantastic views of the Orion nebula, Pleiades's, Jewel box and the moon. Got a chance to see Saturn in an hour or so might stay up a bit longer( I usually work late shifts so I'm used to the hours already )
Unfortunately my views to the south and west aren't that good due to light pollution and/or buildings so I'll have to find a nice dark spot nearby, should be some up on the mountains.
Now just gotta knock out a couple of street lights and get BHP to shut down the steelworks at night and I'm as happy as a pig in the proverbial.

Edit: Well worth staying up for Saturn, to actually see the rings with my own eyes was a memorable experience, only got an edge on view but still awesome.

[Dog Star (Phil)]

G'day Steve and welcome.
Congratulations on the new scope too. Agree strongly with your comments regarding nokkies, Stellarium and go-tos but I guess it's possible I might change my mind when I'm too old to dance with a Dob.