Newbs - whats your thoughts on your new hobby at the end of your first season?

[stevetynant]

I know end of season is not strictly true but just wondered what all those of you who like me have only recently taken up this hobby now think after a little experience- what are your thoughts now- is this a hobby you can see yourself carrying on with - how have you progressed?

I only started really after Christmas this year - I bought the scope I had after reading a lot but really limited myself in what I spent in case, after the initial excitement had died down, it just ended up on ebay.

It seems a long time since my first light - I tried to put the adaptors in upside down, stacked the 2 Inch and 1.25 Inch adaptors on top of each other and then couldn't focus- I can remember the frustration welling up. My first viewing I saw Jupiter then moaned to the wife about the spots on the lens without realising it was an orbiting moon passing in front of the planet lol

but at every stage I had this forum - every problem overcome- I have no doubt it was the single biggest aid in my young astronomical learning process.

Now only 5 months down the road I'm kind of sad the summers started (this has never happened before) because the scopes not getting the action it deserves. Last week I went out into a fIeld on my own at 1am just to take some bins out and check out the skies when I couldn't sleep - every so often in the evening I find myself peeking outside to see if the clouds are rolling in or not and my android phone now has two screens full of astro panels and star maps. Is this normal?

I would say the bug has taken hold- my Messier list is only very small at the moment but that gives me great hope for next year when we start all over again with 3 pairs of socks and a 2 coats out on the Welsh Hillsides.

I've made new friends, been creeped out by horses when in a dark spot on my own in the Mountains around Brecon, started a small club in work, going to my first star party in October - I'm even modding my scope and offering advice (very limited it has to be said) to other new comers - what the hell is happening?

I'd say this is a hobby that will stay with me for life - I'm so glad I made the decision to go for it and get my first scope this year - I'm guessing not everyone feels this way and perhaps the enthusiasm will wane who knows but after such a short time I'm hooked - how do other new members and astronomers feel - good decision?

[Mr Moff]

I feel exactly the same as you. You've got it in one big nutshell.

I started the same time as you and since then,every night that isn't cloud covered I'm out until it starts to come light and every night is amazing. Definately a hobby for life.

The only thing that springs to mind is eyepieces. Those pesky eyepieces. I keep buying them all the time and it shows no sign of slowing.

[stevetynant]

the one thing I should have touched on as well Danny was the spending - for the first few months I never put the credit card away - has slowed to a trickle now but for me was a big thing in the first few months

[Mr Moff]

I agree mate. My first order incl scope and a couple of ep's for around £590. Since then I just kept finding accessories that I needed...ok wanted.

I've started to slow down on spending but my wish list on FLO is simply huge.

I wouldn't have it any other way though. I love this hobby and I wish I'd got into it years ago because the spark has always been there.

[LukeSkywatcher]

the one thing I should have touched on as well Danny was the spending - for the first few months I never put the credit card away - has slowed to a trickle now but for me was a big thing in the first few months

That's the thing. You would think that your scope is going to be the most expensive purchase but you soon notice that it is the accessories that cost the most because even though you buy them in dribs and drabs......and they cost about £30-40 each.............they all add up.

Welcome to astronomy.

EP's are the most expensive part. You can never have enough and trust me you will always want more.

Slowly but surely is a good way to go. One every few months if you can afford it and in no time you will have a fine collection. It takes time to discover which range suits you. Read LOADS of advice etc before making rash purchases. The same brand names keep coming up time and time again

[Qualia]

at every stage I had this forum - I have no doubt it was the single biggest aid in my young astronomical learning process....I'd say this is a hobby that will stay with me for life...I'm hooked - how do other new members and astronomers feel - good decision?

Great post, Steve and, yes, I think you've made an excellent decision. A little stargazing is a very humbling experience. I truly believe it adds to our own humanity, as, say, learning an art or helping another ought to do. As Plato wrote, "Astronomy compels one to look upwards..." Sure, the meek may well indeed inherit the Earth, but we get to go to the stars

And yes, + 1 (billion) for this site. Without it, I wouldn't have had clue about what scope to buy, what EPs might be best, what books and maps to look at, and so on and so on and so on and I certainly would never have ever picked up a paint brush or pencil to sketch!!

[rowan46]

I'm a newb too been at this 3 years and this season is the first time I will put the scope away so I sort of qualify (although I will still be using bins) I think you have summed up my feelings wonderfully as they echo yours like yourself it is something I have always wanted to do but there was always something else to spend my money on. Like many people I have spent most of my money on wine, women and song. I have stopped most of that so that I can waste whatever is left on astronomy.

[stevetynant]

thanks Rowan - thats an interesting point as well - when do you actually stop being a newb? I guess no matter how long you've been at this with the Universe as your subject matter theres always something to learn so in essence we're all beginners to some degree.

[Naemeth]

I don't think we ever stop learning. We can only know so much, and specialise in such a small amount, that there will always be others who can combine their knowledge to know the rest. After all, a scope can only be pointed at one point in the sky, no matter how big the FOV or Aperture of the mirror.

I've certainly been hooked to Astronomy by buying my first telescope, but even before that, I've just been fascinated in the Planets, ever since I was young - even though it's my older brother that got a telescope and such like, I didn't get any of that... apparently the scope is now broken too, such a shame.

P.S. Even though I have just "evolved" into a Proto Star, I am very much still a newbie.

[JonnyK]

Well I have been a stargazer now for a couple of months and what are my thoughts?.......

Well there are many, frustrating, annoying, awe inspiring, humbling and probably many more to follow!

I have to say I've been into many hobbies and still am (scuba diving, mountain biking, running, triathlons, motor bikes, RC helicopters.....to name but a few) but this one is so far the most diverse and probably the cheapest....so far. I have spent £411 on a 127mak, dew shield and power cable and for a modest outlay the rewards are breathtaking. I do however find myself watching the weather forecast more frequently and getting in a bad mood on those all too frequent cloudy nights. I am really enjoying getting to grips with the webcam and cannot wait for Jupiter to be viewable. Like most hobbies you always want bigger (faster, lighter etc) and I often find myself looking at the big 14" SCT's and wondering what the views would be like through one of thise. But for now I am a very happy bunny and would like to extend a great big thankyou to everyone on here for advise, comments, pics and links that have made this potentially impossible hobby become very enjoyable.

[kenmyers]

Since joining this forum the little tidbits of jumbled knowledge I have gained over the past 5-7 years has all come together and now actually makes sense to me.

This forum and you guys have been extremely helpfull and understanding.

I have spent very little on this hobby, managing to get cheap but good OTA, decent mount and a COOL selection of eyepieces. All for under £100. Recently treat myself to a heritage dob (now my fine lady joins my sessions with this and I use my EQ newt)

This is not what I would call a 'hobby'. More like a lifelong ambition coming true, in my own time, at my own pace.

You never stop learning, there is always more to want to see.

I think I will eventually get myself a MAK come my 50th birthday (20 years to save for it) to get some beautiful closeups of planets for imaging.

All in all... It is a wonderfull way to waste away time.

[SionR25]

I also started just after Christmas time and like you I am hooked . I find it a very rewarding hobby, that satisfaction you get when you find something you have been looking for or you just make out that extra bit of detail in something you have been observing for a while.

I agree about the cost, my money keeps finding new things it wants to buy .

[M4lcs67]

I too agree. Great post. I got my 127 SLT in May last year (probably the worst time to get a scope, but I didn't know any better at the time). Having always looked to the heavens on a clear starlit night I finally took the plunge last year and got my first scope.

Over the preceeding months it has given me the opportunity to get to grips with it and over the winter I have seen some wonderful sights. Buying some better eyepieces has certainly helped matters as my viewing experience has been improved by the addition of the new ep's. And now at the end of my first proper season, my desire has not wained (even though I couldn't get out for a period of about 7 weeks at one point due to the lousy weather). In fact I now want more and am currently considering a bigger scope (Celestron C9.25-SGT XLT GOTO) in fact. I do like my 127 SLT, but it does have it's limitations and I have come to the conclusion that I want more.

[knobby]

Great thread Steve ...

I think you can stop calling yourself a newbie when you outlive Sir Patrick

Sent from my HD2Droid

[MadAlbert]

Yes, a well put and thoughtful post!

Now I have the time and the kit, astronomy is definitey here to stay. The summer light nights haven't put me off; I just look at the planets and/or moon. I am happy with peering through the newt or just learning the constellations.

Have to say, really looking forward to autumn...!

[squashnut72]

My interest in getting a scope was the direct result of the 'Brian Cox Effect'. I have, however, been fascinated by the moon and Apollo missions for as long as I can remember.

I got my 150P Dob in March after saving up and so far I have been very happy with the scope as it came out of the box. I ordered a moon filter and a Cheshire with it but haven't needed to collimate yet. I benefitted from the couple of weeks of clear skies we had in mid-late march and got some good initial viewing in while the 'new scope' excitement was still quite high.

I have had great success with the moon and planets plus the Orion nebula and the Pliades and that has kept me happy so far. I am loving exploring the moon at high power (120x) at the moment.

I think I will continue to enjoy my new hobby as time goes by and hopefully, my 11 year old son will spend a bit more than 10 seconds having a quick look before disappearing back inside to watch telly in future.

Cheers

Fortunately I haven't had the irrisitable urge to buy bits and bobs and EPs but then again, I haven't got a proper job at the moment and I really haven't got the spare cash

[Marki]

Another BCE graduate/victim here

After 5 months I am delighted - I have learnt so much, read so much, even tried to educate myself with a little physics and overcome my fear of equations as I grapple with what stars actually are, and try to understand basic optical theory. And I still go "Wow (expletive deleted)" every time I see Saturn . Plus telescopes are way cool .

Astronomy is a time sink and a money pit, and I don't regret a single second or a single penny.... And for the first time in my life, I'm looking forward to winter - go figure!

Right, off to ogle more telescopes on the web and daydream of cloudless nights and a lottery win.

[8kids]

I've only been observing for a few weeks and I think it's a fantastic hobby. I knew I wouldn't be seeing magazine quality images but I'm staggered at the beautiful sights that's available to me, and this in what people are calling off season! I can only imagine what the proper season start will bring.

The cost side as with any hobby starts with a flurry of purchasing but usually calms down. The only thing is when I fill up the car with fuel or buy the weekly shopping I can't stop thinking........."that's an eyepiece" or "that's a new filter"

Gary.

[SteveWxm]

Me and the missus have really gotten into it since Christmas even though we'd had the scope for about a year. The only problem we find is setting up the scope so that it moves with the sky (we have no ra motor) so when we're trying to move manually the scopes shaking and being knocked off course. We've got a Sky Watcher Classic 900 which has a 70mm aperture. We've seen the planets, the moon, bright stars such as betelgeuse, vega etc but not managed to get any DSO's yet. Saw Pieades through the bino's though!

[Mike73]

I guess you could say I'm hooked.....

I've been putting some money away to pay towards a newer car sometime but today came to my senses and realised that a Nagler EP is far more important than a car, after all my current car is perfectly fine, it gets me to dark sites and my scope fits in perfect!!

[stevetynant]

Another consideration - Initially when I bought the scope I was pretty much resigned to doing it on my own - I guess most of us do the majority of observing in the back garden but I have been lucky enough to get out with local observers as well - didn't have anyone to share my hobby with to start out but to get out and meet like minded people has been fantastic - just one leap of faith really but now look forward to our meets and trips out - together with this forum its transformed what I first perceived to be a very lonely (for want of a better word) experience to quite a social one as well.

Something else thats amazed me - I work in a pretty large company (about 700 people locally I guess) - since word got out what I've been up to - no end of people have stopped me to talk about it - now I've arranged a few meets with people in work I had no idea at all had any interest - I think theres a lot of interest and enthusiasm out there just sometimes you might need a push or just plain take a chance to see if its for you and realise your not alone.

[Richardisgreat]

My story is similar to yours Steve, i started out last winter with a pair of 15x70 binoculars and i saw jupiter and 3 moons and the plaeides, straight away i was hooked. I saved my pennies for a while and bought my first scope skywatcher 200p flextube goto, i have met a few local Atronomers thanks to this site. I have recently seen M3 and M5 and taken my first photo of the moon by simply holding a digital camera up to the eyepeice. ( check my album) Since buying the scope i have bought a BST Explorer 8mm and a 18mm eyepiece and a 30mm Vixen NPL eyepiece and also a Tal 2x barlow. My wife wants me to stop spending money but now i want a light pollution filter and a bracket thingy to hold the digital camera up to the eyepiece. I have always been facinated with the stars ever since i was a young boy and i love learning and understanding the universe we live in and how it all works. Also the vast distances we are able to see with the telscope blows me away, we can actually look back in time. im sure you all know this but it is those facts that keeps me hooked and totally gob smacked each time i see something new. Saturn is beautifull.

[Kevdan]

Hello,

Ive just got through my first 18 months with my scope, I jumped into the hobby and can say I was lucky enough to get my 150p eq3-2 as my first scope following advice on this forum which I am eternally greatfull, I have learnt so much but still know so little about the universe, I can only say that I have found 2 downsides to this hobby, firstly the cost involved which we do not take into account when first starting out, Secondly the weather in the uk, If and i presume most people are in my position where you get lovely clear nights sunday to thursday when you got to be up for work in the morning and clouds on nights you can stay in bed.

One thing I can say about buying things for this hobby is that once bought if they are looked after they should last for years.

And Lastly a big thank you to all on this forum who have answered all my stupid questions and listened to my moans and groans.

Kev.

[Richardisgreat]

Yeh i hear you Kev, i dont want to wish the summer away but im looking forward to the darker evenings, and when i can observe orion and Jupiter again.

[stevetynant]

its such a weird thing - never in my life have I wished the summer away - but this year - well its just not the same lol