My friends weekend party

pete_pumpkin (Pete) · #1 04-05-2009, 07:43 PM

Hi, I'm new to this forum - New to astronomy aswell.

This probably sounds a bit funny but yeah my interest in astronomy probably began a few months back when I mate of mine at work started talking about the 2012 Mayan callander and how the world was going to end etc. I thought this was interesting so I started to look up info about this prediction on youtube. As well as this so called 'conspiracy', I came across all sorts of stuff, including the possibility of alien bases on the moon. Funny stuff ehh? Yeah maybe, but all this stuff recindled my interest in space. I've always loved science so I think astronomy for me is just another thing to discover.

Ok so I'm over my initial excitment with the aliens thing. What I've since discovered is that there is so much to astronomy - learning about constellations etc

Anyway I've had my telescope for about a week now - it's a 8" skywatcher collapsible dob.

First light wasn't up to my expectations, but this was mainly due to me not knowing how to comfortably move the telescope. Since then I think I'm slowly learning how to use it. The first night I ended up with such a sore back looking through the finderscope. I only knew two constellations, orion and the crux. And I found saturn as well. Saturn was pretty exciting, but still I din't feel comfortable using it. Duh, I since realised a nice comfy chair is the way to go for a good viewing.

Anyway my mate had a party the other night and asked if I could bring my nice shiny scope over to the party.

I was amazed as a lineup formed around me as I zoomed in on the moon. Every body was amazed at the craters etc. The same with Saturn. Yeah after that night I felt really good that a dozen or so people had the opportunity to see something they would normally not see. Most of these people were in therir early 20's, so I guess another bonus - maybe they'll go on and find an interest in astronomy? Eitherway it was a great night.

So yeah that's pretty much it. I obviously need to learn a lot more; I just bought a book about the constellations which is really good. What I have noticed is that I'm starting to get the 'buy more stuff' bug. Better eypieces etc

Pete

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #2 04-05-2009, 07:57 PM

Hi Pete

welcome to the forum

just to let you know - we ALL do feel sorry for you - bitten by the bug - and now destined to be poor for ever more

geoff

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #3 04-05-2009, 08:25 PM

Hi Pete!
Congratulations on your new scope. Glad to see it's been put to good use.

TrevorW · #4 04-05-2009, 10:35 PM

In the year of Astronomy throw a party invite a few friends share the enjoyment just remember don't drink and drive a telescope

Cheers

PCH (Paul) · #5 04-05-2009, 11:15 PM

Welcome to IIS Peter,

great job on the scope party - well done. Hope to hear more from you soon

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #6 05-05-2009, 09:24 AM

Hmmm Pete...impressing the girls with your Astronomy toy...a new pick up line...way to go!

Ric · #7 06-05-2009, 01:18 AM

Hi Pete and welcome to IIS, wait until you get the "astrophotography bug"

Cheers

pete_pumpkin (Pete) · #8 06-05-2009, 05:17 PM

Girls, yeah most of the people lining up were chicks

It was my mates wife's birthday party. Even the neighbours come over to check out the commotion..

Umh, my scope cost me just over $500, since then I've spent close to another $400 on bits and pieces, mainly second hand eyepieces. If I knew that this hobby/addiction was going to be such a money pit, I would have bought the 12" Dob that was on special a few weeks back for $1100. Although I think the 8" probably is ok as it's about all that I'd be willing to transport; or even take out side for that matter. I think I probably need to appreciate it and the sky a bit more before I upgrade..

Astrophotography, hmm. What can I say, when I look at orions nebula I don't see any red like in the photos, all I see is a light bluish cloud.. I guess a camera would see things a lot differently. Mind you I'm sure the street lights out the front of the house don't help much.

Nah, I'm pretty happy with what I have. I don't think that there is any sense spending up big until I make the effort to actually learn about astronomy. So far I've worked out where the Crux, Orion and Canis Major are. One step at a time. I find the mythology quite interesting as well. I helps make sense of all the constellations.

Thanks peeps..

pete_pumpkin (Pete) · #9 06-05-2009, 05:31 PM

Oh, almost forgot, last night around 7pm, in the direction of the southern cross, to my amazment, I saw what looked like a couple of sattelites.

I was looking through my finder scope, and out of nowhere I saw one zoom past, it almost looked like it had a 'streak' behind it, about a second behind it was another one, ever so slightly below the first one. I followed them untill my scope encountered the roof of the house. I presume they were satalites as they travelled at a constant speed. What spun me out was that there was two of them, almost on the same 'trajectory'; both in my finder at once...

Another interesting 'sattelite' I saw a few days earlier. It flashed on and off every few seconds - I'm pretty sure that it wasn't an aeroplane?

Wow, amazing things up above

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #10 06-05-2009, 06:50 PM

You sometimes, if you're lucky, see 3 satellites strung together.
The flash you see from Iridium Satellites is caused by the sun reflecting off their panels.
An Iridium Flare can be an awesome event. You can find out when and where they will occur in your location, as well as times for pass overs for the International Space Station and Hubble Telescope by logging on to www.heavens-above.com

mozzie (Peter) · #11 06-05-2009, 06:59 PM

welcome pete yes the astronomy bug does bit nice scope the skywatcher take yoyr time getting use to it
mozzie

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #12 06-05-2009, 07:10 PM

I think he has been bitten by the Astronomy bug...which is slightly more virulent than swine flu.

Welcome Pete!

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #13 06-05-2009, 08:00 PM

Welcome Pete.
A good way to spend time at a party.
I also enjoy sharing with the public and I get involved in such nights regularly.

Happy buying. The bugs stays with us amateur Astrnomers, and I find myslef always looking for something I dont have and " simply must have "...
Hope to hear more from you soon.

Cheers

Ric · #14 07-05-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasyoungonce

I think he has been bitten by the Astronomy bug...which is slightly more virulent than swine flu.

Welcome Pete!

An outbreak of "Aperture Fever" can prove costly as well.

Cheers