boltzy Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi everyone,I've been interested in 'space' for about as long as I can remember. In fact among my earliest memories are watching grainy images of the Apollo 11 landing on my parents B/W telly!I'll admit that watching Stargazing Live this year gave me the inspiration to finally buy a telescope and start looking into space with more than just my eyes. After much research I opted for a Skywatcher Explorer 150P on a EQ3-2 mount. This fitted my budget as well as the shed (for storage, not an observatory!). Since my purchase 3 weeks ago, I've only managed two nights observing due mostly to the incessant rain and clouds! However on my first nights observing I did managed to see Saturn and it's rings! At first I aligned the scope with what I thought was Saturn only to get frustrated that I couldn't any rings, then I realised I was actually looking a bright star (Spica)! I realigned and immediately saw Saturn and was blown away. On My second night's observing I only managed about 5 minutes before the clouds came over but I did get a few tantalising glimpses of the Moon. I've used the past few (rainy) weeks to get the hang of collimating using a Cheshire. A bit nerve racking initially but satisfying when you get the hang of it. I also bought a Baader light pollution filter which I used on the moon; seemed to work pretty well in my heavily light polluted area. Anyway, looking forward to some clear nights. I'm now off to watch the Sky at Night!See ya,Mark (boltzy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdstuart Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Welcome to the forum. Saturn is just awesome..Try M3 above arcturus next and see if you can pick out the stars in the globular cluster using a 10mm lens...Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hello Mark and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSuppalot Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi Mark and welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sologuitarist61 Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi Mark and welsome to the Lounge, look forward to seeing your future posts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker1947 Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Welcome to SGl, hope you don't live near the Golf Driving Range on the A20, i'm ex Sidcup (Stafford Rd)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Kick Drum Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi Mark.Welcome to the lounge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikey Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hello Mark & welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi Mark and welcome to the forumClear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi and welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd8137 Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi and welcome to Sgl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingergeek Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi there and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi Mark and welcome to SGL John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Welcome to the forum Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widefield Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi Mark and welcome to SGL. I have only been a member on here for 10 days but have alredy been helped so much by the advice I have had - its a great forum. Just a shame it cant get rid of the clouds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telesto Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi Mark, welcome to sgl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Haze Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi and welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Welcome to SGL.James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boltzy Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Welcome to SGl, hope you don't live near the Golf Driving Range on the A20, i'm ex Sidcup (Stafford Rd)...Thankfully I don't, but I do have a floodlight on a neighbouring apartment block that shines onto the back of my house brightly (from 90 meters away) I'm trying to get it angled down (no response yet from the management company responsible for it). Plus there are the neighbours who occasionally leave their curtains open and lights on at night! I suppose this is something we 'suburban' astronomers have to live with.BTW, thanks to everyone for their warm welcomes, much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawson1 Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 At least you have a telescope im still looking around for one lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatermass Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi Mark and a warm welcome to the forums, I remember doing the same thing when I was looking for Saturn and focused on Speca instead but when I got it right and first saw Saturn it was a real wow moment whice I will never forget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAGRANGE Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hello & welcome to SGL. Hoping the skies clear soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToxoLight Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi Mark and welcome to the lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michigander Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Welcome to SGL, Mark!Dana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.