Strath Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Hi. I am a long time lover of science and get my original interests from the great Carl Sagan. His tv series, Cosmos, really got me interested in science in general and placed me on a path. My recent interest got sparked again with the popularity of Brian Cox. I have a fondness for both of these guys, mainly due to their ability to make science and astronomy accessible to everyone.I received a Christmas gift of a telescope today. It is a Celestron 130 reflector and I have already managed, between the clouds, to have a good look at the moon and then to be quite startled by Jupiter and four moons. I have since discovered that these are probably the Galilean moons written about across the web. I was totally blown away by this. I could even make out the banding across the surface of Jupiter. All of this with a 9mm objective. (I hope I got that right)I can't wait for some clearer skies to see what else is out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Hello Strath and welcome to SGL!! I hope you enjoy your new telescope - if we ever get any more clear skies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Hi Strath! Merry Christmas, and nice pressie Been looking at jupiter in my 125mm refractor and it is indeed gorgeous with the four galilean moons flanking it. You are in for some treats now you have that scope! Try a quick peep at the nebula in Orions sword if its not too cloudy! Thats pretty neat for a quick look! Also the moon is fantastic in its own right. Did the 9mm eyepiece come with the scope?By the way, Welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VigdisVZ Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Hi and welcome! Good to have you on board! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strath Posted December 25, 2012 Author Share Posted December 25, 2012 <snip>Did the 9mm eyepiece come with the scope?By the way, Welcome to SGL Yes. It came with a 25mm and the 9mm. I'll certainly have a look at the items you suggest. I think this is the hardest part, trying to understand what I can expect to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 A good place to get an idea what you can see is the sketches section of the forum. Also, I'd really recommend downloading a planetarium programme like Stellarium (its free). And maybe get book like Turn Left at Orion - its really helped me to start out, pointing out good easy targets and how to start working with my scope. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobee Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Hello Strath and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rory Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 i second the "stellarium" shout from mark. http://stellarium.org/welcome to the forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welrod50 Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Hi Strath and welcome from me too. Enjoy the new scope, this is just the start ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Welcome to SGLJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Welcome to the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Hi Strath and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on receiving your new scope and that you managed briefly to get your eye in to check it over.Clear skies for now and enjoy the forum.James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Welcome from me too, I hope you enjoy using your new scope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Scunthorpe Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Welcome to SGL. Nice scope, theyre will be plenty more wow moments yet.All the best,Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Hi Strath and welcome! Cosmos certainly is an inspiration still and I recently watched all 13 episodes again after all these years. That is a nice present and not surprised the first views were impressive. I got a similar outfit in October and there has been no looking back! Saturn is swinging around soon (or rather we are swing towards it) and that is a lovely moment to see for the first time. Jupiter was also my first light with this telescope and I'll never forget it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Hi Strath and welcome to SGL, congratulations on your new scope, I would certainly follow up on what Mark has suggested, Stellarium is a powerful tool and TL@O is very much an Astronomy standard to many newcomers just starting out in the hobby. Enjoy your Astronomy John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzungu Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 nice gift, I got socks!welcome to SGL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn4me Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Hi and welcome to SGL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd8137 Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Hi and welcome to SGL!Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michigander Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Welcome to SGL, Strath!Carl Sagan Rules!Dana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningMajor Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Hi and welcome from me too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moogoomonkey Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Hi from me and welcome to SGL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtr42 Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 hi mate us weegies are taking over we were planning a wee meet up tomorow friday 28th near barrhead dams if your in that neck of the woods and if the weather plays ball [you could check here theres also a few meetings in the livinston area [tends to be spur of the moment stuff [heres the web forum www.scottishastronomers.com] and also the astronomical socierty of glasgow www.theasg.org.uk has regular meetings and are a great bunch [althouh the ASG has a yearly fee of £15] i find astronomy with others and sharing my experience is far better than solo astronomy good luck with whatever you do and clear skies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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