Hello from Swansea

[JonnyP]

Just a quick wave to you all.

I've been getting increasingly interested in the stars since 'series linking' Sky at Night and finding myself standing looking upwards when I'm supposed to be walking the dogs at night.

I've got a 'supermarket special' Celestron 76mm (I know, I know). It was bought on a whim (I know, I know!), and will probably lead on to bigger and better things. I can't tell you how good or bad it is as recently when it hasn't been cloudy we've had smoke from a massive fire locally. Typical! I have seen stars though. I just need to find out what they were.

Having said that, I've had a few visual sighting sessions, just finding my way around the sky and last night was pleased to get my telescope pointed at Antares - and actually getting a correct ID. (I thought it might be Saturn, intially.. ) Add in a few shooting stars, a satellite or two (I think) and finding out where Bootes, Vega, Lyra, Cygnus, etc are, and I'm already enjoying myself.

I've grabbed a few tips from this site, so thank you already. And apologies if I sound like a hopeless newbie.

[Multi-Coated]

Hi & Welcome............

[Rusty Strings]

Hi and welcome form me too

[Psychobilly]

Hi JonnyP ....

I guess I am not to far away from you living a few Miles up the Swansea Valley...

Peter...

[inkpen]

Hi Jonny, welcome to the lounge!

[Ray49]

Hi jonnyP, i have only just joined SGL as well , i live not to far away in Bridgend.

Ray.

[Astro Imp]

Hi JHonny,

Welcome to SGL.

You might find Stellarium handy, it's a free planatarium program that really helps to find your way around.

[Dave006]

Hi Jonny and welcom, everyone started as a newbie. The lounge is the best place for info and advice.

Clear skies

[pessoa]

Welcome to SGL.

[swamp thing]

Hello and welcome to the lounge.

[Bizibilder]

Hello JonnyP and welcome to SGL!!

[simo1222]

hi jonny, i found that the phillips planisphere is a good way of getting used to the night sky and finding the constalations, also phillips night sky atlas by robin scagell is also a great starter book, it has the constallations in detail with many objects to view in each constalation and what magnification to use etc, good luck and good skies. dave cwmbran

[simo1222]

also i bought the 3" reflector from the shops like, not a good idea although they are good to get used to before the jump to a larger aperture. getting a 12" dob next march.

[Fluby]

Hi, new here too so welcome!

[glowjet]

Hi Jonny and welcome to SGL

John.

[AlphaRob]

Hi and welcome

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Clear skies

James

[david o]

Hi there JonnyP, welcome to SGL

[Charon]

Welcome to SGL JonnyP

[todd8137]

hi jonny p and welcome to sgl,if the scopes gives you fun,excitement,and a view of the night sky ,does it matter if its 70 mm or 500mm better than spending thousands only to find after 4/5 weeks that the night skies are not for you then you have not lost any thing .then again it may lead to a life long hobby

clear skies

and never give up

[Glen]

Welcome johnyP, good to have you here. I know what you saying about looking up and wondering.. just watch out for the dog presents and light/utility poles..

[Mr Spock]

Hi Jonny, welcome to SGL

[johnh]

Welcome from Brisbane.

JohnH.

[Adamski]

Sut mae, i think that's how it's spelt. Hello in other words if it's completely wrong.

[MorningMajor]

Hi Jonny and welcome - I do exactly what you do - the first thing I do when I step outside is look up! - One day I'm really going to fall over - Be careful!