Greetings and salutations

[Davros (Lauren)]

Howdy all, thought i better introduce myself.
Names Michael and I live in Caboolture Qld. I've been fiddling around with astronomy for about 6 months now around work and other commitments. I am currently using a cheap and nasty ebay scope (76mm Newtonian on alt mount) and a set of binoculars. I am looking to upgrade to a slightly less nasty ebay cope that at least uses an EQ mount. I know they are almost worse than nothing but i can at least upgrade the focuser later and use decent eyepieces.
Down the track i would like to build my own scope as i get more confident and committed. I am also using a program called Pocket stars on a PDA which has been very helpful.
I have a few questions you maybe able to answer.
1- Is there any local Caboolture astronomy group for meetings etc. I've tried Google with no joy?
2 - Is there a way to get the threads on this site to read with the original post at the top. For some reason i have to track back through all the pages in reverse order to find the original post.
3 - Does anyone know of a decent dark sky observation area convenient to Caboolture.
4 - I would like to attend the Queensland Astrofest this year but icant find any info about the cost on the website and it wont let me download a registration form. Can anyone help out?

Thankyou in advance.
cheers
Mick

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

G'day Mick. Welcome to the site.

1. Not that I'm aware of but there is a group of us that get together each new moon at Cambroon near Kenilworth. Keep an eye out on the Star Parties and Observing Sessions Forum.
2. If you use the Search>Advanced Search option you will find a number of way to order your search results including from oldest to newest.
3. Cambroon is lovely and dark
4. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ight=Astrofest
There is a link in firstlights signature.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Welcome to IIS Mick.

I can help you for number 2.

First, go to your User CP that is at the top left. Then go to Edit options. Then scroll down to Thread display mode and select Linear - Oldest First.

Hope this helps

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Here's a link to the Cambroon get together just past (last night)

[Davros (Lauren)]

Thanks for the replies guys, i am slowly figuring out my way around the site. There is certainly a wealth of info here. Cambroon sounds like fun. I will have to keep my eyes open. Hopefully work doesn't get in the way.
cheers
Mick

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

Welcome to the forum Michael - another Doctor Who fan I see....

I live in the Caloundra area so geographically we're located not too far apart. Always wiling to meet new Astro enthusiasts! As Paul said Cambroon is a great place where people from around SE Qld get together near the new moon almost every month. If you want to catch up at another time for some viewing send me a pm and we'll see what we can organise.
(note - for April's new moon see the note I put on the thread that Paul linked to).

Look forward to meeting up sometime...

Steve

[xelasnave]

Welcome Michael..dont underestimate your gear if you take it to a dark site...most of the Southern Sky was mapped by a chap using a half inch refractor.
I can not help more than to say keep at it as you will find the more experience you get the more your will see even with your current gear.
Good luck.

alex

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

Hi Michael
As said before, you'll find that the gear you have has more potential at a dark site. I used a 60mm refractor for many years and have only recently moved to larger apertures.
Watch out for those Ebay reflectors. There's quite a few for sale on there that are short tube, long focus and look not bad, but have a lens screwed into the focuser to double the focal length. I bought one and they are a total pain to collimate. Better to look for a decent one with a parabolic mirror and a tube length that matches it focal length.

BTW, leave the rest of the Daleks home, they just bump into you in the dark


Cheers
Bill

[Ric]

Hi Mick and welcome to IIS, hope you have a great time with us.

Cheers