Hi everyone!

[Rockdoc (Steve)]

This is my first post on IceInSpace, or any forum site for that matter.

I joined primarily to browse the classifieds, however the whole site has got me hooked.

I'm an amateur astonomer since childhood, but with a 30 year gap and with most of my children now young adults, am now keener than ever to get back into it.

My gear includes a C8 on minitower pro, 25x100 Oberwerk binos and a few other bits and pieces.

I live 13km SE of Melbourne, so light pollution is a big issue for me, however my binos ar always in the car when travelling out bush.

I enjoy the site. Keep up the good work.

Steve

[EricB (Eric)]

Welcome to IIS Steve. That 30-odd year gap seems like a familiar story. I only been back to astronomy for one year, but it's been great.

Best wishes on your astro journey.

Eric

[Rockdoc (Steve)]

Thanks Eric. And same to you. Clear skies.

Steve

[Eggmoon (Geoff)]

Steve,

There are some places not too far out of town that you can get to that are good and dark, my dark site of choice currently is up at the car park of the Lake Mountain Ski Resort, others go to places like Kinglake, Snake Valley, or just head out of the city and find and open spot somewhere.

I quite enjoy packing up some snacks and drinks and taking a short road trip... nice and peaceful away from the kids for an evening.

Geoff.

[Rockdoc (Steve)]

Geoff,

Thanks for the site tips. I imagine Lake Mountain would be good. I stayed at Waratah Bay over the new year period and it was relatively dark on the hill immediately behind of the town.

I've recently joined the Mt Burnett Observatory Inc. near Emerald, but haven't got to a members night yet. These are held every Friday night weather permitting. I don't expect it would be classified as a dark sky site, however it has to be better than the suburbs.

Steve

[Eggmoon (Geoff)]

The mountain also has altitude.... hence... mountain.....

Cuts a lot of atmosphere out... water vapour... less chance of dew...

IceInSpace could do worse than getting everyone in Melbourne together and building a small observatory up there.

I am keeping an eye on the weather... and hope that I might be sneaking off up the mountain on Saturday night.....

Geoff.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Welcome to IIS Steve.

[Rockdoc (Steve)]

Thanks Andrew,
Steve

[Eggmoon (Geoff)]

It's a Steve-a-thon with all the welcomes!