Go Back   IceInSpace > Beginners Start Here > Beginners Talk
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 49 votes, 4.41 average.
  #1081  
Old 03-12-2010, 06:12 PM
keni's Avatar
keni (Ken)
Registered User

keni is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 311
Yes an 8" looks much more manageable and the mount will be a bit cheaper too then.
I've been watching the For Sale listings too waiting...watching...waiting...

I have a Canon 20D standard DSLR not the "modded for what I want now" model.
It doesn't have live view but I think I can hook it up to a Lapdog.
Will have to consult the manual and see.
I live in Ashgrove so inner westy north kindoff.

Ken.
Reply With Quote
  #1082  
Old 03-12-2010, 06:52 PM
that_guy's Avatar
that_guy (Tony)
Local Korean Millennial

that_guy is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Charleville
Posts: 2,063
if you want to to astrophotography, an EQ5 is usually not stable enough for 8" Newt.. you might want to consider Wide Field Refractors like an ED80, they sell second hand about the same price as you buy a 8" newt new... and they give a very very very good result... and its lighter and more portable.. so you can wack it on the EQ5 with out a worry
Reply With Quote
  #1083  
Old 03-12-2010, 10:32 PM
keni's Avatar
keni (Ken)
Registered User

keni is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 311
Thanks Tony,
More options/suggestions are good..especially if they're cheaper.
I have just been checking out those refractors on the magic web and they look very interesting and popular for astropics.
I'll keep a close eye on the for sale section here although it'll be at least 6 months before I want to start.

Ken.
Reply With Quote
  #1084  
Old 05-12-2010, 09:48 AM
Winter Wolf's Avatar
Winter Wolf
Registered User

Winter Wolf is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7
Hi Folks, summer is here and I am ready to get back into astronomy. The eyepieces are covered in dust and the sheet is over the Dobsonian.
I promised myself that I will get off my lazy butt during the holidays.

Too bad that I've forgotten the location of everything .....oh, well, now where did I put that Uranometria 2000??

Fingers crossed for good weather over the next few months and clouds from NSW and QLD disappear. Sounds like the flood waters are causing many problems. Hope everything is okay for you guys and girls.

Cheers.

Wolf.
Reply With Quote
  #1085  
Old 06-12-2010, 03:36 PM
Jessica
Registered User

Jessica is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1
Hello All!

I'm brand new to astronomy - I'm an avid space dork, but I haven't really had the cash to buy myself a telescope until now. I figured I'd say hi, and promise not to ask any stupid questions before reading as much as possible.

Cheers,

Jess!
Reply With Quote
  #1086  
Old 06-12-2010, 04:01 PM
erick's Avatar
erick (Eric)
Starcatcher

erick is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Gerringong
Posts: 8,539
Hi there Jess! Enjoy your reading - then buy that scope!
Reply With Quote
  #1087  
Old 06-12-2010, 11:40 PM
Ric's Avatar
Ric
Support your local RFS

Ric is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wamboin NSW
Posts: 12,405
Hi Jess & Wolf

Welcome to IIS and I hope you both have a great time here.

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #1088  
Old 07-12-2010, 04:50 PM
Space Dog's Avatar
Space Dog (Ric)
Registered User

Space Dog is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jessica View Post
Hello All!

I'm brand new to astronomy - I'm an avid space dork, but I haven't really had the cash to buy myself a telescope until now. I figured I'd say hi, and promise not to ask any stupid questions before reading as much as possible.

Cheers,

Jess!
Welcome Jess, no such thing as a "Stupid Question" if it increases your knowledge about Astronomy or any other subject.

Cheers, Ric.
Reply With Quote
  #1089  
Old 07-12-2010, 05:48 PM
jenchris's Avatar
jenchris (Jennifer)
Registered User

jenchris is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ormeau Gold Coast
Posts: 2,067
The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask.
Ask away and we'll try not to swat you too often
Reply With Quote
  #1090  
Old 10-12-2010, 01:23 PM
Binca's Avatar
Binca (Bianca)
Wheeeee!

Binca is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 23
Telescope

I need some opinions. Around April this year I bought myself my first telescope, a Celestron 130 EQ. It is quite nice, and I would use it a lot if I actually had a sky that wasn't loaded with clouds all the time.

But I do have a dodgy back. I can carry a reasonable amount of weight, especially with mum helping me carry stuff, but my back will hurt when I spend ages fiddling with my telescope trying to find stuff. I have never managed to use the finderscope properly.

So anyway, I am planning on buying a motorised telescope, because I think that might be easier on my back if I don't have to find everything myself. Well, that is the impression I get anyway. I am in no hurry to buy, I need to save first anyway, although mum has promised $2000 towards it when we sell our holiday house. My overall price range is probably around $4000 max. Although naturally I wont object to cheaper.

I generally view from my front or backyard, although there are nearby places I can go for slightly better viewing. If I do go somewhere else, my car is small (Hyundi Excel or however you spell it ) and my mum's isn't much bigger (Ford Fiesta I think.)

When it comes to carrying a telescope, I know you can generally take it apart a bit. I can carry a suprisingly large amount of weight considering my build, gender, weight, height and whatnot, but my mum is pretty weak. As in very. But she can help a bit.

So the whole point of my story is, any suggestions as to what to get?
Reply With Quote
  #1091  
Old 10-12-2010, 01:33 PM
jenchris's Avatar
jenchris (Jennifer)
Registered User

jenchris is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ormeau Gold Coast
Posts: 2,067
It's not only what to get, it's also a matter of posture.
If you set up a scope so that the eyepiece is at the level of your eye, you don't have to bend to look into it- The diagonal on the focuser revolves to accomodate small differences in height when you look from a horizontal image to one higher up, so that you only have to look down or across, never have to bend over the lens.

So whatever you buy, will only have to be moved from the house to the car and then to a place of comfort!-or even just into the backyard.
make it easy on yourself by having a trolley that will accomodate your toy as well - there are several on the market that fold up - but it means you'll only have to lift it, never carry it.
Reply With Quote
  #1092  
Old 10-12-2010, 01:56 PM
erick's Avatar
erick (Eric)
Starcatcher

erick is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Gerringong
Posts: 8,539
Feed Mum some red meat?

Before you spend some thousands of dollars you need to get a good look at various types of scopes and try observing through them and aligning them with finderscope etc. Try to get to a starcamp or other gathering of folks with various scopes.
Reply With Quote
  #1093  
Old 13-12-2010, 06:51 PM
Winter Wolf's Avatar
Winter Wolf
Registered User

Winter Wolf is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by Binca View Post
But I do have a dodgy back. I can carry a reasonable amount of weight, especially with mum helping me carry stuff, but my back will hurt when I spend ages fiddling with my telescope trying to find stuff. I have never managed to use the finderscope properly.
The best advice for astronomy is- buy the telescope that you shall use the most.
Most people go for large aperture and a high-tech rig, only to find that it becomes too much of a chore to set up after the 'love' begins to fade. I would only recommend spending a large amount of money if you are positive that you know that you'll get outside a lot.

Those who are new to astronomy should start with something that is small and easy to carry. My first telescope was only 4 inch Vixen, but I still have many great memories using it.

I prefer to put money into good eyepieces that give a wide field view. They are more valuable than a high tech rig, IMO.
Reply With Quote
  #1094  
Old 14-12-2010, 10:21 PM
0tt0maddox
Registered User

0tt0maddox is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: ACT, Australia
Posts: 9
Hello There

Hi,

My name's Simon and I live in Canberra. I'm pretty new to astronomy. I've been meaning to join this site for a while, and now I've finally gotten around to it.

I've recently been given a basic reflector scope on an incredibly dodgy mount, and when I say dodgy, I mean it would probably move if you were to accidentally breath near it. However as a courtesy to the person who bought it for me I don't want to buy a new one right away.

I have a good pair of binoculars and I've been mapping stars to try and familiarize myself with the sky. Other than that I've just been tearing through as many informative books as possible.

My main problem (other than having to live in a place like Canberra) is that I'm getting a bit lost amongst all of the information. Does anybody have any tips on what aspects of information I should be learning as a priority, i.e. learning moon phases, constellations, how to read bearings etc.? Also If anyone knows of any amateur communities in the ACT that I might be able to join?

I would appreciate any help.
Reply With Quote
  #1095  
Old 15-12-2010, 08:57 AM
Ric's Avatar
Ric
Support your local RFS

Ric is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wamboin NSW
Posts: 12,405
Hi Simon and welcome to IIS

A good place to start in regards to club is the Canberra Astronomical Society. They have beginners meetings each month before the main meeting and a lot of great people you can chat with.

http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/cas/

Of course there is a wealth of info as well right here on this great site.

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #1096  
Old 15-12-2010, 09:00 AM
erick's Avatar
erick (Eric)
Starcatcher

erick is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Gerringong
Posts: 8,539
Hi Simon. Look through what is available on the IIS site, eg. in the "Projects & Articles":-

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/projects.html
Reply With Quote
  #1097  
Old 16-12-2010, 09:14 PM
0tt0maddox
Registered User

0tt0maddox is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: ACT, Australia
Posts: 9
Thank you

Thanks guys!

Both links were just what I'm after.
Reply With Quote
  #1098  
Old 16-12-2010, 09:46 PM
Binca's Avatar
Binca (Bianca)
Wheeeee!

Binca is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 23
Simon, I can't pretend to be an expert, I am a bit of a beginner myself. But when it comes to learning stuff, I would advise you to start with whatever you are most interested in, because you will find it quicker and easier to learn that way Well, I know I do anyway. Good luck!
Reply With Quote
  #1099  
Old 27-12-2010, 08:18 PM
Nettie's Avatar
Nettie (Annie)
Registered User

Nettie is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Perth
Posts: 1
Hello there everyone!
I'm extremely new to astronomy, and know next to nothing. For Christmas this year I bought my hubby a Celestron Astomaster 70EQ and we've played with it once, last night. Had a blast even though we had a heap of trouble using the star finder. We stumbled upon Jupiter and it's moons I think which was a complete fluke as we didn't have a star map or anything lol.
We live in Perth so we headed up to a place near Mundaring Weir so there'd be less light pollution, unfortunately there are a lot of trees though but we managed to get a pretty good view of the sky.
Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. I love the fact that everyone here seems so friendly and helpful, I wasn't going to join a forum but I'm glad I did!
Reply With Quote
  #1100  
Old 27-12-2010, 08:54 PM
astroron's Avatar
astroron (Ron)
Supernova Searcher

astroron is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cambroon Queensland Australia
Posts: 9,320
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nettie View Post
Hello there everyone!
I'm extremely new to astronomy, and know next to nothing. For Christmas this year I bought my hubby a Celestron Astomaster 70EQ and we've played with it once, last night. Had a blast even though we had a heap of trouble using the star finder. We stumbled upon Jupiter and it's moons I think which was a complete fluke as we didn't have a star map or anything lol.
We live in Perth so we headed up to a place near Mundaring Weir so there'd be less light pollution, unfortunately there are a lot of trees though but we managed to get a pretty good view of the sky.
Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. I love the fact that everyone here seems so friendly and helpful, I wasn't going to join a forum but I'm glad I did!
Annie and to iceinspace
I am glad you enjoyed your first night with your scope
You will find lots of help here, no question is considered stupid so ask away
There are quite a few members in Perth so in the future you may get together with some of them who will be able to help you further
Cheers
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 09:27 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement