Having Trouble Deciding!

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Mate, I think you've got a beaut setup there. I think too many people want to jump ahead too fast just get caught up in the world of imaging. Sit back and relax and enjoy the visual experience of the night sky for as long as you can (I know that's probably what you have in mind anyway). Oh, and don't look at the Moon and your enemy. It is an object of beauty so train the scope on it whenever you can (probably need a moon filter to reduce the glare).




Try to meet up with some fellow astronomers in your area. I'm sure there are some on IIS.

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Looks a good setup, Tim. I'd echo Stephen's recommendation of a telrad, but check the price at Bintel as well as from myastroshop. You might find the price difference is offset by it all being posted together. I'd also suggested "Atlas of theSouthern Night Sky" as being a good investment at $45. Steve from myastroshop is one of the authors and he could send it with the scope I'd imagine. I find planispheres a bit of a waste of time as they are small and fit a whole year in at once. I find the star chart in each month's AS&T more useful . Also, most scopes come with software for making your own star maps. The Atlas is good for giving you a list of 4-5 targets in each constellation and photos that match what you'll see through the eyepiece. There is a brief review by yours truly in the reviews section of Ice in Space.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

Originally Posted by glenluceskies

Mate, I think you've got a beaut setup there. I think too many people want to jump ahead too fast just get caught up in the world of imaging.

you may be right but theres nothing more annoying that finding out you dropped 1k on a setup and then when you do want to go ahead and chuck a camera up ontop, your snookered!

Btw great setup hope you have many nights of observing and sunrise mornings!

[timmo567 (Tim)]

Cheers, probably gonna be ordering everything in a couple of days.. should work out good