Article: So You Want to do Deep Sky Observing?

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all

Faith Jordan has written a fantastic article for beginners who Want to do Deep Sky Observing. It's full of great tips and advice.

You can read the article on the IceInSpace Projects and Articles page, or directly by clicking the link below:

So You Want to do Deep Sky Observing?

Thanks to Faith for contributing to IceInSpace. We'd love to have your contributions - get in touch via the Write for IceInSpace page to submit your articles or reviews.

Cheers

[iceman (Mike)]

Article uploaded.

[Suzy]

Thanks Mike

And thank you so much Faith- it's one of the best articles I've read to-date and is sure to help many people.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

All great advice Faith, well done

Malcolm

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Good onya Fay. Thanks for sharing.

[FJA (Faith)]

Thanks guys, I'm glad you like it.

[Poita (Peter)]

I found that really helpful. I'm reading it again now waiting for Orion to pop over the horizon.

[Groboz (Gino)]

I enjoyed it too but did feel a slight twinge of shame for buying a 16 inch dob as my first telescope. But then I remembered all those amazing things I've seen through it already and a smile replaced my frown rather quickly. I also took solace in that my mileage does indeed vary from most and that I am well prepared for the handling and storage issues. Most of the rest of the article made really good sense and I too am glad I went for the big dob rather than the slightly smaller GOTO I was contemplating. Thanks

[FJA (Faith)]

Originally Posted by Groboz

I enjoyed it too but did feel a slight twinge of shame for buying a 16 inch dob as my first telescope. But then I remembered all those amazing things I've seen through it already and a smile replaced my frown rather quickly. I also took solace in that my mileage does indeed vary from most and that I am well prepared for the handling and storage issues. Most of the rest of the article made really good sense and I too am glad I went for the big dob rather than the slightly smaller GOTO I was contemplating. Thanks

Ha! Sorry about that. But the thing is, you're getting the best out of your scope, I've seen other people jump in with big glass straightaway and struggle big time.

[Ausrock (Chris)]

As someone who has been around 'scopes kinda on and off for some decades but is only now looking to purchase my own, this article along with some advice from a great guy at Andrews has been a Godsend. This should be made mandatory reading for all newcomers!!!

[astro_nutt]

Great read Faith.
Cheers!

[Ric]

Excellent article Faith.

[FJA (Faith)]

Thanks guys, glad you like it.

[Ric]

I think that sometimes we get distracted away from visual observing with all the hi-tech goodies available.

For the last year or so I've steered away from imaging and gone back to visual, it is just nice and relaxing to be under the stars with the charts and a glass of wine and enjoying the sights of the universe.

I will get back into imaging but I'm just having too much fun at the moment.

[FJA (Faith)]

Originally Posted by Ric

I think that sometimes we get distracted away from visual observing with all the hi-tech goodies available.

For the last year or so I've steered away from imaging and gone back to visual, it is just nice and relaxing to be under the stars with the charts and a glass of wine and enjoying the sights of the universe.

I will get back into imaging but I'm just having too much fun at the moment.

That is very true. So many people say they want to get straight into imaging and skip the visual stuff. Hi-tech goodies are really nice and tempting but I think it's best to start off simple and go on from there. That way, you learn your way round the sky and don't get as frustrated.
I can see the attraction of AP if you live in a city, though, to cut through the light pollution.
I like taking wide angle DSLR pics of the sky, though, although the results aren't the best!