jthombs Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hi allJust a quick post to say hello.I've been observing for a while, mostly self taught with advice from forums and some internet research. I've got a Celestron 114 Astromaster (with a few eyepieces, 32/19/9/6/4) and I've swapped the standard finder scope for a Rigel (which made a world of difference :-) ) I've been learning the constellations and have started using Stellarium and a star atlas for a bit of hopping. I've found the andromeda galaxy and a few of the other Messier objects so far. I need to improve my planning though as its a bit hap hazard atm Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterCPC Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Welcome to SGL.Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laudropb Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swag72 Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hi Jon and welcome to SGL - Glad that you found us and hope that you enjoy your time here.Look forward to seeing you around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hi Jon and welcome to the forum. How you construct your observing session is a matter of personal preference, but a little structure to your evening would certainly help you get the most out of a given session given the lack of clear skies at the moment. I would certainly spend part of the evening attempting to learn at least one constellation and perhaps the names of the brighter stars etc and where to locate them. This is a useful exercise as it helps provide you with a sense of scale that certain maps don't provide when you are comparing a given constellation to the whole of the night sky. If available, I would certainly give some time to looking at a given planet too. It is important to train your eye to pick out details that are there, but which can be missed with a cursory glance. On the subject of the solar system, don't forget to include observing the Moon which is a fascinating object revealing many features of interest during the changing phases. You might find downloading a piece of software called Virtiual Moon Atlas helpful in learning where the major craters and features are along with taking a look at the Lunar 100 along with its Map as a further guide to what can be seen.Wishing you clear skies and hope the above suggestions help you in your astronomical quest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Lloyd Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hi Jon, welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weareborg Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Welcome aboard Jon.Plenty of helpful advice from guys & gals hereAndy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger111 Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Greetings from Maldon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jthombs Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 Thanks for the welcome and the advice, you are spot on about a bit of planning as I'm just finding stuff rather than finding it and knowing more about it. Any advice on note-taking when observing or planning would be good. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hi Jon, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Presland Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 HI Jon and welcome to SGL, enjoy the forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michigander Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Welcome to SGL, Jon!Dana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
We_Can_Breathe_In_Space Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Hello Jon,Welcome to SGL!!!Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triton1 Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Hi there and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Welcome aboard Jon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vox45 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 Hello and welcome to the forum Clear skies ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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