Beginners Start Here!

[Visionary (David)]

Originally Posted by Rob_Wilson

Hi all,

Just signed up to the forum. Recently purchased a Skywatcher SW135 EQ2 reflector with an RA drive, I also have 2x Saxon barlow and a set of filters being delivered this week.

I am a newbie and have been watching lots of youtube videos on astronomy and telescopes.

I would like to try imaging but don't want to buy an expensive camera, can anyone advise on a good webcam or similar to get started with.

It's great to have a place to come and ask questions.

Thanks Rob

Rob,

I am also a Newbie. I was fitting a finder onto my scope and some how aluminium debris got into the OTA. As the scope is. Catadioptic there is a corrector plate that prevents ingress to the OTA. I was as nervous as hell, some encouraging and some cautionary words from advanced Astronomer had me off and onto You Tube. YouTube is brilliant I really don't know how we ever got things done before Youtube.
Sensible questions on this page are invariably rewarded with sensible answers and those answers come from varying interpretations of the same problem, simply invaluable!

David

[The Space Place Observatory (Bella)]

Hi
Its been quite a long time since being on here
firstly buying our small Observatory in Gingin in WA (tourism)
we have owned this business now for nearly 4 years
in this time we have worked with NASA Jpl
become Finalists in the WA tourism Awards last year
most of all we have learned so much about astronomy and astrophotography.
We have just moved now from where we were renting a building and have just brought a property not only for us but our Astronomy business
we are now in Julimar in WA
It has been an interesting journey - met some amazing people along the way - we look forward to the future if there are any astronomers who would like some work and live in WA near Toodyay let us know
Have a great weekend
cheers :-)

[opticjunkie (Peter)]

Hi all,
I am a newby at this, I have always loved Astronomy and decided recently to re kindle my interest in it

cheers
Peter

[Somnium (Aidan)]

Originally Posted by opticjunkie

Hi all,
I am a newby at this, I have always loved Astronomy and decided recently to re kindle my interest in it

cheers
Peter

Welcome Peter !

[opticjunkie (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Somnium

Welcome Peter !

thanks Aidan

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

welcome from me as well.
Brian.

Originally Posted by opticjunkie

Hi all,
I am a newby at this, I have always loved Astronomy and decided recently to re kindle my interest in it

cheers
Peter

[lup]

signed up a little while ago so thought id introduce myself...staring at the sky is a recently gained interest of mine and yesterday got my new 8 inch dob delivered. now to find some dark areas not too far out of perth

cheers all
Lup

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Great beginners scope you have got and it will give you years of enjoyment.
On the dark sky site , we get together when work and family allow out at Boygen rock on the Brookton road and you are welcome to come along also we meet in Gingin so keep an eye on the meetings section here
Oh yes to IIS .

Brian.

Originally Posted by lup

signed up a little while ago so thought id introduce myself...staring at the sky is a recently gained interest of mine and yesterday got my new 8 inch dob delivered. now to find some dark areas not too far out of perth

cheers all
Lup

[lup]

hey mate,never heard of that place but just checked it out..definitely seems worth a visit

cheers

Originally Posted by brian nordstrom

Great beginners scope you have got and it will give you years of enjoyment.
On the dark sky site , we get together when work and family allow out at Boygen rock on the Brookton road and you are welcome to come along also we meet in Gingin so keep an eye on the meetings section here
Oh yes to IIS .

Brian.

[Randomguy (Jedd)]

Hi guys
I'm Jedd and I'm only 15
I want to get into astronomy but I don't know where to start.
I live around the Mornington area and I know there is a astronomy society in Mornington.
For the telescopes, I'm looking at a budget around $500
I've looked at the Australian Geographic website and I was wondering if the Starview 150EQ is worth buying
Thanks

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Hi Jedd
The MPAS is well worth getting in touch with. Their website is here http://www.mpas.asn.au/
Best advice with buying a scope is to hold off until you have seen a couple in action. Getting to an MPAS viewing night will be a great way to see some scopes in action! The best scope is very dependent upon what you want to do with it. Imaging gear, by and large, is very different to visual gear. If going visual, an EQ mount is (IMHO) to be avoided. A simple dob (eg this http://shop.australiangeographic.com...telescope.html) will be much easier to use and give far more bang for your buck. Personally I wouldn't go to Aust Geo to buy a scope, the staff are not trained in astronomy and have only basic knowledge. Much better going to a specialist shop such as Bintel.

Anyway, good luck and welcome!!

Malcolm

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Randomguy

Hi guys
I'm Jedd and I'm only 15
I want to get into astronomy but I don't know where to start.
I live around the Mornington area and I know there is a astronomy society in Mornington.
For the telescopes, I'm looking at a budget around $500
I've looked at the Australian Geographic website and I was wondering if the Starview 150EQ is worth buying
Thanks

Hi Jedd,
Welcome to IceInSpace
Sorry I can't help you much being that I am north of Sydney
But I agree completely with Malcolm and would suggest a trip to Camberwell to see some telescopes on the floor would be well worth it.
Better still is to get to an observing session as Malcolm said to see them in action.
Many Nat Geo scopes are good scopes, but as said, the staff are not always that knowledgeable, and their prices are higher than most other places.
I am confident you can get a good Dobsonian for your budget.

Feel free to ask many questions.
Clear skies!

[Akwestland (Andrew and Kim)]

Hiya Jedd and welcome.

I am also a new starter. It is great to see younger people getting involved. Ii cannot offer loads of knowledge but I do agree that a simple dobsonian is probably your best place to start.

(http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/...3/catmenu.aspx) is a link to the Bintel page. I did not start this way, but I do wish I had.

But also, keep an eye on the classifieds, you can get some great deals both here on ICE and on other sites. I picked up a 12" dob with accessories for $180 in Melbourne.

Also, make sure to ask questions here, it is a great area of study with so much to learn.

Andrew

[Randomguy (Jedd)]

Is the 6" dobsonian easy to move around because i live on 10 acres and i would be moving it from the house into a paddock and back after i have finished

Also thanks for all the helpful info

[Akwestland (Andrew and Kim)]

Jedd,

I have the 12 ", it takes me 2 trips, but I am approaching 50 and have a bad back. At 15YO I would like to think it would be a breeze, but maybe still 2 trips.

I also live on acreage in far east gippsland. The beauty of this is fantastically dark skies, but unfortunately no "astro groups" just around the corner. Where (approx) on the peninsula are you?

Andrew.

[Randomguy (Jedd)]

I live around the Somerville are, i was also planning to go to the public viewing that the MPAS soon. Its nice to know that the 6" shouldn't be a problem to move around

[Akwestland (Andrew and Kim)]

Jedd,

I should have mentioned that I have no experience with a 6". I am just estimating it against a 12". Although I do have a 8", but on a much heavier mount.

I would love to go to an MPAS night but itis about a 4-5 hour drive.

BTW, I used to live at Warneet, so I know Somerville.

Andrew.

[Randomguy (Jedd)]

I was also wondering how Astrophotography works. I've seen things like:
16 x 90 secs
What does that mean.
Thanks,
Jedd

[Akwestland (Andrew and Kim)]

Jedd,

My understanding is 16 exposures(photos) of 90 seconds each that are then "stacked" to form one image.

Andrew.

[Akwestland (Andrew and Kim)]

Jedd,

This has just been listed, maybe worth a look. :-)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OZScopes-...QAAOSwPcVVoltn

An 8" for under your budget, in Melbourne.

Andrew.