What do you usually observe?

[Stu]

Mostly I observe clouds.

When I'm not doing that I'm observing open clusters. I find the different colours of stars the most fascinating. My favorite is the jewel box in crux (crux is the "real" name for the southern cross).

[RAJAH235]

My favourites are the planetary nebula. Eta Carina is my #1. On 1 or 3 'good' nights, I've been well over 200 x mag & clearly seen the detail in the dark speckled clouds on both ends of the Homunculus. Simply amazing stuff.
I also like going thru the Globular clusters. To think that each of these objects can contain anything up to 1 meg + stars, makes the mind boggle.
Just do what Ken says, "look up & enjoy".
Regards, L.
A safe and

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

[Kieken]

I usualy stick to planetary nebulas, globular clusters and galaxies. Open clusters, other kinds of nebulas and planets are observed as well but not with the same enthusiasm .

[ving (David)]

and the neighbours... yes, mustn't forget the nieghbours

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Welcome Spacelover
Hope you are starting to find your way round the night sky !
Deep space is the place for me, Galaxies & nebulas are my Favourite.
I presume you have already linked up with the Canberra Astro Socity, by your Logo.
I am sure they will show you loads of stuff.

[dhumpie]

Welcome to this fascinating hobby that will feed your imagination Like astro_south I am a planetary nebula and globular cluster lover as they all look different in mid to large apertures (and they are observable even from suburbia!). But they are fascinating even in small scopes (I observe heaps with my Orion 80ST which has just an 80mm objective). Galaxies are fun too but we reserve them for dark sky visits where they look best.....

Anyway you got some good suggestions....start with the best and brightest open clusters and of course the Eta Carina and Orion Nebula. They are well placed for viewing now.

Oh and Happy New Year.

Darren

[Stu]

Originally Posted by ving

and the neighbours... yes, mustn't forget the nieghbours

You're funny...

[edosaurus_rex]

Currently I'm hooked on Double/Multiple stars but had a load of fun with globulars amd planetaries. I'll observe the Moon when it is too bright for the above deep sky stuff.



Ed

N32.75 W97.65

[mickoking]

G,day Space Lover,

I am very much a visual deep sky observer and I will look at what ever takes my fancy. Sometimes I will plan my nights and other times I will take the scopes out for a casual view of familiar object's (one's I can find with out an atlas).

Astronomy is a great hobby in a world of turmoil, the stars dont judge.

Chill

[ving (David)]

Originally Posted by Stu

You're funny...

please dont encourage my bad behavior

my sugestion space lover (if you re after one) would be to get a star atlas of some sortand aim for one costellation. takle everything in that constellation including stars, doubles, planets if any and DSOs.... take notes if you want.
move on to the next constellation

it'll take a life time