I am interested chatting with any newbies to the skies.
In particular, someone who is doing similar things to myself, that is;
Working through Bob Bee's book and mapping the skies. This morning I saw 3 of Jupiter's Moons for the first time and marked the SCP using Achernar (Couldnt see Carina, damn that tree - think Ill chop it down - not - Im a tree lover at heart)
Happy Viewing All!
Ben.
P.S. Anyone get a pic of Jupiter/Moon/Venus yesterday? It was a beautifull sight!
Hey Ben, we're all 'newbies', just some ain't quite as new as others.
Chat to us all, you'll get plenty of help and advice and anyone here will get you started.
Another oldie (sort of) here and a newbie at the same time. Trees in the way and don't want to chop it down...put a Possum up it and the tree will be eaten alive in no time. I know this as I have now lost 2 trees to possums recently and the little pests are working on #3 and 4 soon the tallest thing in my back yard will be my tripod, which I'm hoping they can't eat. Ditto ZeroID.
Matt
Hi Ben,
I've been in the hobby a while but every night under the stars is like a new experience for me. There is always something new and exciting going on. Mapping the skies is a great start. I wish you well in this great hobby/passion and ditto to Zeroid also.
When I saw 3 of the moons of jupiter this morning, I looked around for a neighbour to share it with, no-one there, then came in and excitedly told my Wife. She said with little exuberance, thats nice dear.
So I thought, bugger it, Ill post on IIS, there must be someone out there interested!
Lol i can relate to that perfectly Ben. I have been like that many times, rushed in to tell the Mrs...I just saw a Meteor through the Eye piece...i just saw The ghost of Jupiter... i just found the SCP!....that's nice dear lol.
It's ok, we can relate to and share your enthusiasm.
Although now the Mrs has taken a slight interest and have her out at the scope sometimes.
Pretty standard spousal response eh ? You'll get used to it.
That's ok, we'll all be here to cheer you on. I will say though my wife has been impressed, well mildly interested anyway in Saturn and moon closeups where there is something different to see. And sunspots since the transit.
But I'm happy to do my own thing on this anyway, it's sort of 'man cave' time where I build and design, tweak and align, image and look. And I have managed a bit of Outreach at work as I have posted up a few pix I have taken on the office wall so it grows slowly.
Plenty of stars in Tindal, back in Aug 1993 I was laying out on the hard stand and counted HEAPS of 'shooting stars' I would suggest it was probably a significant shower but I was captivated! stars like I had never seen stars before. I Envy your location if only for the dark skys, there isn't a better location to start this hobby.
hello people, i love this site..i live on the sunshine coast hinterland (maleny), very new to astronomy..does anyone (who lives in or near this area) know of a really dark dark dark open area or lookout. my home is in a pretty cool place for viewing...but i always want a little more......
When we finally move to our little piece of heaven in tasmania (happening very soon) and when I finally get my 10" newt (happening not so very soon), I shall have need to make such a man cave.
I look forward to the day, followed by nights of man cave madness.
hello people, i love this site..i live on the sunshine coast hinterland (maleny), very new to astronomy..does anyone (who lives in or near this area) know of a really dark dark dark open area or lookout. my home is in a pretty cool place for viewing...but i always want a little more......
Hi Pete,I am at Cambroon just not far from you near Kenilworth.
Give me a PM or send an email for details s to how to get here .
Yes, I wish I wasn't so excited in wanting her to see everything as well. It makes it hard to sneak home, say, a new goto mount, but if I did that she would chop its legs, and mine, off.
There must be some way into convincing her I need a goto mount, and to not worry about the next electricty bill.
How much is a kerosine heather these days
Yes, I wish I wasn't so excited in wanting her to see everything as well. It makes it hard to sneak home, say, a new goto mount, but if I did that she would chop its legs, and mine, off.
There must be some way into convincing her I need a goto mount, and to not worry about the next electricty bill.
How much is a kerosine heather these days
I am in the same boat. Desperately trying to find a way to get on of these fandangled tracking mounts home.
I know patience is a virtue but c'mon already i have waited long enough!. . . maybe my tax check from Ms Gillard will tip the odds in my favor
hi all, i just have to share an experience with y'all.....i trust no one will go "yeah yeah, bin there done that....ive only been into asto' since the start of this year, started off with a pair of giant 20x80 skymasters (they are just fantastic), then aquired a puny tasco galaxsee...but i won it off ebay for around $30, so couldnt go wrong realy, especialy learning to use an equitorial mount, and it had those department store eyepieces - H20, H12.5, SR4 ect.....BUT i have just aquired a celestron c90 Mak-Cass (about the size and weight of a 2 letre milk bottle--wonderfully portable)....it is simply incredible, add to the fact it came with a 32mm plossl, its also my first experience with a proper eyepiece. so this morning i was up around 4am and holy sh** the nothern sky is full of eye candy...jupiter, venus, orions belt + nebula...with the new gear i could see jupiter so sharp with at least 4 cloud bands. i NEVER knew the importance of a good eyepiece, befor i was all about how to put cash aside and go for an 8inch+ dob...that can wait...too long to save that much, now im looking at and researching eyepieces like mad, again i never knew of all the different types, brands and designs...i figure two excelent eps and a good barlow will keep me very pleased indeed, ooh and a couple of filters. now on top of all that i was able to construct a wonderfuly solid stand that works like a giant camera mount....so pointable with a long handle to freely move accross the sky AND ive attached one of those holographic red dot target thingys used for airsoft guns. its connected by a swivle ball that came off a cheap camera stand - you look through the little screen with an iluminated red cross or reticle, line it up with say saturn and your on target within seconds....i put so much time into making the stand and the viewing very very easy to use, i love getting the "wow!" responce from friends and visitors as they look around...especialy the rings of saturn. cheers to you all, ive learnt so much from this site and you fine people......a special thanks to astroron for inviting me to his observitory, nice people, great gear---40cm wide, 6 foot long dobsonian
.....need i say more....................
p.s. just a quick question to anyone who can help, my c90 came with a pretty solid diagonal corector, but ive heard its a bit ordinary, is it worth getting a premo one? will it add more to viewing quality?
Hi Pete, sounds like you're having more than enough fun as you are. If you re getting good views now I wouldn't worry too much much about a 'better' diagonal. The perceived improvement would be marginal at best.
I'm not sure what the best EPs for a small Mak-Cass are but someone with knowledge of them will chip in. I'd just be making sure I got good EPs and accessories, barlow especially etc for now and enjoying the view.
What EPs have you got already ? If you list them someone can make suggestions, normally expensive. I use 2 mostly, my 15mm and 20 mm GSO Superviews. For the price they work extremely well in the DOB and the 80mm.
Eventually you will get aperture fever, it is inevitable so any good buys now will be still good then.
i can relate to that perfectly Ben. I have been like that many times, rushed in to tell the Mrs...I just saw a Meteor through the Eye piece...i just saw The ghost of Jupiter... i just found the SCP!....that's nice dear lol.
You'll get used to it.
to iceinspace 
I use 2 mostly, my 15mm and 20 mm GSO Superviews. For the price they work extremely well in the DOB and the 80mm.
