Grüezi (Hello) from a Glaswegian in Basel, Switzerland

[big_scot_nanny]

Hi there folks, just a wee hello from me. Been lurking for a while, then jumped in and asked a question on a Sumerian thread before introducing myself properly. How rude!

I'm a forty year old native of Glasgow, living in Basel now for 8 years with wife, 3 young kids and the dug.

Always been into astronomy, even as a child, but somehow a scope always seemed out of reach. At university (Aberdeen), I even took some physics electives (Astronomy was one, Creation of the Universe another - awesome!). But it wasn't until 1997 at a new year party in darkest Deeside (Mar Lodge in case any knows the area) whilst walking the dog that we happened upon a couple of gents with a wee scope set up in the snow (I learned since that it was a Meade ETX90). "Would you like to see Saturn?" they asked. "Sure" said I. Boom! 

Suddenly thought - why the hell, in all these years, have I never got a scope? A moment of clarity.

Been through a few different types a the beginning, but fully manual star hopping dobs are my favourite. Purely a visual observer now, and love it. Give me a big dob, telrad, finderscope and my 'Observers Sky Atlas' or 'SkyAtlas 2000' and I'm as happy as a pig in [removed word]. Not a luddite by any means, but love the simplicity and escape this provides.

Have been using a 12" Lukehurst F4 standard dob now for 13 years, and it has been great, but going to go bigger this year (hence why I started browsing forums). Exciting!

So, I look forward to contributing, sharing and learning.

Clear skies,

Kev

[damnut]

Hi Kev,

Warm welcome to SGL, sounds like you are already well set up.

[MarkJ44]

Hi Kev, welcome to the lounge

Cheers

[Scorpius]

Hi Kev and welcome to SGL... 

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

[swag72]

HI Kev and welcome to SGL - Sounds like you have it all sussed

Look forward to seeing you around

[purdo]

Hi Kev & Welcome to SGL.  Good luck in picking your new scope.

[Dave Lloyd]

Hello and welcome Kev.

[sologuitarist61]

Hello Kev and welcome to SGL

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL from a fellow Glaswegian

[big_scot_nanny]

Thanks for the welcome all.

Absolutely have not got it sussed! Just learning along the way. With the kids getting a bit older, and sleep coming a bit more regularly, have been able to get out a bit more. 

Had some firsts in the last few weeks as well, which is always cool - Ganymede moon transit was fab!

Kev

[PeterCPC]

Hi and welcome.

Peter

[big_scot_nanny]

Hi laudropd,

I remember we had a talk at ADAS (Aberdeen and District Astro Soc) from the glasgow astro soc. It blew our minds! It was about imaging galaxies and calculating size and mass (I think), and at the time we were merely delighted to get a webcam shot of the moon! :-)

[glowjet]

Hi Kev and welcome to SGL, another very keen Dob man I see, you will be among many friends, enjoy the forum

[Macavity]

... a Glaswegian in Basel

The ultimate in accent challenges? [teasing]

Mostly recalling my own happy days in CH.

Welcome to SGL.

[xtreemchaos]

hi mate and welcome from south wales.

[Mr Spock]

Hi Kev, welcome to SGL

[Plouer]

Hi from a fellow dob owner, I have a 12" skywatcher, love the fact you can set up and be ready to go in just a couple of minutes.

Peter

[big_scot_nanny]

Macavity - add in the 10 years spent spekkin Doric, ken, in Aberdeen....

I just use hand signals and point a lot! ☺️

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Clear skies

[BobSki]

Hello Kev and a warm welcome to the star-crazy gang. I hope you really enjoy your hobby and have a great time with your new friends on this wonderful forum.

[Bizibilder]

Hello Kev and welcome to SGL!!

[Stropper]

Hi and welcome

[Charon]

Hi from me too.

[GunZenBomZ]

Hi & welcome

GunZ aka Patrick