Beginners Start Here!

[iceman (Mike)]

If you're new to astronomy, or if you're curious about astronomy, this is the place to ask your questions! Please, don't feel intimidated! We're here to help and it's a quick and easy process to start posting threads on the forum! It'll only take you 30 seconds.

1. Click on the "Register" link on the top right hand side of the header
2. Fill in your details with a user name, and remember to include a valid email address!
3. You will be required to confirm your registration via the email message sent to you. Check your email, click on the link in the message from IceInSpace forums.
4. Congratulations! You're registered!

Now just go to the forum of interest - to start a new thread simply click the "New Thread" button, type your message and click "Submit New Thread". To post a reply to someone else's message, open the thread and click the "Post Reply" link at the bottom.


Please, don't feel that your questions are too simple or that it's a silly or dumb question. We all started as beginners and if you're willing to ask questions it can really help lessen the (sometimes) steep learning curve for this great, interesting and rewarding hobby!

Hope to see you soon!

[rumples riot]

Cool Ice, this should be a very popular forum.

Paul

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Seems everyone here is an expert now

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally posted by Starkler
Seems everyone here is an expert now

[Saturn%5 (Graeme)]

I am far from an expert .



So my question would be if you are going to clean your mirror what would you clean it with

[vindictive666 (John)]

hello

follow this link and it might answer youre
question about cleaning mirrors

http://www.cloudynights.com/howtos2/clean-newt.htm

hope this helps

[Starkler (Geoff)]

If you want your mirror to dry spot free it help to do a final rinse with distilled water and then while your mirror is standing on end, get some paper towel and use the corners to carefully soak up any beads of water.

[iceman (Mike)]

I want to clean mine, but i'm scared

I'll get around to it one day tho.. I just don't look at it, then I won't realise how much grit is on it

[vindictive666 (John)]

hiya

just thought of thissa one

or you could try an lenspen or an puffer brush i think they are called ?
any photographic store should have em
ive seen em for under $20

[xraydelta1]

,,, at least not for mirrors.

Mirrors used in telescopes have the reflective coating on the outside, unlike most with a layer of chrome or similar under glass.

This coating is usually aluminium, it's very soft.

Even the gentlest of brushing will damage the surface. Some people suggest rinsing under flowing distilled water, which will remove any loose dust particles, even going as far as drawing a soaked cotton ball over the surface as you rinse.

Distilled water is best because tap water contains othe elements which can damage the surface.

[silvinator]

there is always something new to learn in this hobby, which is why i love it so much. hello to all the people that are beginning to discover just how wonderful our hobby is. i hope that people are here to stay!

[Striker (Tony)]

Just saying Hi.....

I can honestly call myself a beginner (noob) as my total experience in astronomy is almost up to 6 hours now.....hehe

Just bought 8 Inch Dob having its first look tonight if the skies are clear.....looking ok atm......

I feal I will be asking many questions here...hope you dont mind....

[iceman (Mike)]

That's what we're here for, welcome to the forums Striker! Don't be afraid to ask any questions, we all started off at the same point.

How did you hear about us?

[Striker (Tony)]

I joined the Astronomy online forums today and saw a member called Ving talking about these forums.....so here I am...

My first night out with my 8 inch Dob was great beside's the bloody Mozzies...guess what I found "the moon"....lol...it was so clear.....I just kept using my 25mm as my 15,9,6.5mm were too close...didn't see anything else but I didn't have a clue what to look for anyway.....the Dob was easy to use and setting the 8 x 50 scope was simple...omg I am a pro already....lol...

Next purchase...Aeroguard.

[rumples riot]

Welcome to the forum Striker, hope you enjoy your stay.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally posted by Striker
....lol...

Next purchase...Aeroguard.

LOL

(can you hear 'Welcome to the Jungle" playing in the background?)

[Mick (Michael)]

Hello Striker.

[Daring Dave]

Welcome Striker !

[Striker (Tony)]

What the moons already been found....DAM.....I thought I was the first...what a downer....lol

[iceman (Mike)]

Seriously though, the moon is a great place to start for someone new to observing.. There's enourmous amounts of detail that can be found on the moon, it just takes practise, a steady atmosphere and high magnification.

Did you get a neutral density (moon) filter with your kit? You should try that with the 25mm, it'll dim things down a bit and make it more comfortable to look for the detail.

You should consider using the high magnifications, there's a lot more to be seen, though you need steady seeing conditions to get the most out of them, plus the moon drifts out of the FOV very quickly at high magnification so it's a constant nudge nudge nudge needed.

Having said that, I do love a full moon view with the 25mm, well, I don't mean the full moon, but fitting the whole of the moon in the FOV

Good luck, with enthusiasm and practise (and sky charts), you'll start finding the other wonders that can be seen in the night sky. If you stay up late enough (10 or 11pm) you'll catch Saturn rising in the East, then you'll be hooked forever!!

Your first DSO should probably be M42, it's easy to find and one of the best DSO's in the sky.