Hello

[Nick82]

My name is nick and I'm from Bristol, I've been interested in astronomy for a while now, reading a watching programmes so decided my Xmas presents are celestron skymaster 15x70 binos and a tripod!!!! Thought I will start at the bottom and see if I enjoy stargazing!!!!!

If I do I have promised myself that I will save up for a few months to get a nice telescope in the near future, ill be popping up asking questions from time to time, please be gentle

[wookie1965]

A very warm welcome to SGL

[Nick82]

Thanks!!'

Can't wait to get started!!!!

[barkis]

A warm welcome to SGL Nick

This the Ideal place for you to enhance your astronomy experience.

You have already shown you have a sensible attitude to observational astronomy, by making your first Optical aid, a pair of Binoculars.

A good choice you made too, though 15 mag. may require some support whilst viewing, as they won't be lightweight, and tired arms soon follow otherwise.

Binos. are a superb way to introduce the Milky Ways delights to your eyes, and together with a suitable star map, many deep sky objects will be identifiable, and ready

to be explored once you have graduated to your first Telescope.

Enjoy the Forum, and any questions you have will be answered very quickly by some of the many knowlegable guys and Gals of SGL.

Best Wishes.

Ron.

[VigdisVZ]

Good choice for starting. I'm just getting hooked on my cheap 10x50 bins, those 15x70 on a tripod should give you a neat view.

Welcome, glad to have you on board!

[astronomit]

Hi Nick - welcome to SGL!

Tim.

[Rockrae78]

Hi Nick,

I have one other suggestion for you... Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas... It's fantastic and I use it all the time when I'm out with my bins... Think you can get it on Amazon at the moment for about £7 so not too expensive.

Clear skies...

[m12_shakes]

Welcome to the forum

May I also recommend a couple of books that I personally found very useful:

Turn Left at Orion:

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Turn-Left-at-Orion-Guy-Consolmagno/9780521153973

Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders: (similar to TLAO, but more in depth IMO)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-Guide-Astronomical-Wonders-Observer/dp/0596526857/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354619004&sr=8-1

Stargazing with binoculars:

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Stargazing-with-Binoculars-Robin-Scagell/9781770850439

Regards,

m12

[telesto]

Hi Nick, welcome to sgl

Clive

[Astro Imp]

Hi Nick, welcome to SGL, enjoy your bins.

[Catweazel]

Hi Nick and welcome to SGL. I would +1 on the Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas, In the meantime you could try downloading this http://www.stellarium.org/ to help with getting around the skies.

[Nick82]

Thanks for having me!

Looking forward to clear skies ahead!

[Nick82]

Saying about the pocket sky atlas, I have downloaded the stargaze app on my I phone that gives me a 3-d view of the stars! Also if you click on them it gives you a bit if info, the bright star I always see from my bedroom whilst I'm led down is called Etamin, can't wait to see this through my binos

[barkis]

Also known as Gamma Draco.

Not a good Pic, but click on the image to enlarge, and you can see it's location.

Ron.

[scoobee]

Hiya Nick - welcome to SGL

[Nick82]

Cheers

[ubertank]

Hi there Nick. As others have said, binoculars are a great way to learn the sky. You can see Jupiter's moons through it, the moon itself looks amazing and on a clear night it's a great way to see the Andromeda galaxy.

Have fun mate.