Getting Started with Astronomy with SGL

[Ant]

Welcome to SGL.

We have quite a large forum and at the start it might not be easy to find what your after. So I've put together a few links to various resources within the forum that you might find useful.

You can cover most of amateur astronomy in three categories.

1. Observing

2. Imaging

3. Equipment

4. Weather forcast watching and hoping!

Ok four key areas...

Obviously you need some form of Telescope or Binoculars? actually you don't you can observe with just your eyes. There are constellations to see and learn, the Milky Way is best seen with the unaided eye, you can see Meteors, Satellites, conjunctions, Noctilucent Clouds, Aurora - loads of things before you take the plunge and spend your hard earned cash. You can see the observing and Imaging widefield sections at the links below.

http://stargazerslou...nts-and-comets/

http://stargazerslou...nts-and-comets/

When you are ready to part with your hard earned cash you need to have a think about the sort of telescope that you want - some telescope types are better suited to different objects. A great read on the type of telescopes and what they do can be found here - http://stargazerslou...elescope-types/ and some thoughts on actually deciding which one you might want here -http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/639-primer-choosing-a-telescope/

One of the most common held beleifs is that you will see the wonderful colour Deep Sky Objects that you see in pictures through the eyepiece of a telescope, unless you are lucky enough to have a very (very) large telescope you won't. When asked what will they see through a telescope the best advice we can give is to point you to the Sketches section here on SGL. This shows what amateur astronomers actually see through the type of telescope that your actually going to buy and use. http://stargazerslou...unconventional/

You can also have a read through the questions that other people have asked, you can bet that someone has asked similar questions to those going through your head. When your ready to ask your own questions fire away and you'll get advice tailored to your specific situation. There are lots of things to consider

We have a whole section of primers with guides on observing, equipment, objects, theories and many more things here - http://stargazerslou...-and-tutorials/

Some of you may want to get into Imaging, in the past a certain TV program implied that you just connect a camera to a telescope and and away you go, I really wish it was that simple. It can be very rewarding, but as with most things you get out what you put in and Imaging does provide some amazing results when things go well, but when things don't it can be very frustrating. If you are not careful you can end up spending so much time looking at a laptop screen that you actually forget to look up and actually DO astronomy.

Again we at SGL, have a wealth of information on imaging, the associated equipment needs and post processing.

http://stargazerslou...ing-discussion/

http://stargazerslou...and-techniques/

We have beginners sections where members of SGL will help with starting out questions and queries, http://stargazerslou.../183-beginners/ to more in-depth sections where discussions can get quite detailed and nerdy. It doesn't matter where you ask the questions that you have (if they are in the wrong place we'll move them) - just make sure that you do ask all the questions you want. We all started out knowing nothing about astronomy. Stargazerslounge is here to help.

Other links that might be of interest.

http://stargazerslou...ssary-of-terms/

http://www.astropedia.co.uk

http://stargazerslou...into-astronomy/

http://stargazerslou...nd-post-counts/

We have written some guides on using some of the Forum Software features, these own't be of much interest now, but might be in coming weeks or months.

http://stargazerslou...are-front-page/

http://stargazerslou...-use-the-blogs/

http://stargazerslou...-attach-images/

And of course our code of conduct - http://stargazerslou...ode-of-conduct/

[johnnynix]

Wow! Its 2am and I should be asleep but so many links to so much info. Perfect for a newbie like me. Thanks

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[BillyFear123]

Hi, I'm new to star gazing and I'm completely hooked..

I have been looking at stars thro an SLR camera (Nikon D5200) and am now looking for a cheap telescope to hook it up to.. Can u point me in a direction for some points to consider, and some sites to look at??

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[JessicaFaye]

I bought my first scope recently. I bought a starwatcher startravel 80 (EQ1) from First Light Optics (FLO) this has been a lovely scope to get started with and I have seen some beautiful sights. It comes with a 25mm 10mm and 2x Barlow Eye pieces. Simply to set up and use it has a finder scope to make it easier to align your scope with what you're looking for! I haven't done any astro photography with it yet, and it depends how much cash you want to part with. This set up cost me £130 with VAT and delivery and it's great! But you may want something stronger for photography hope this helps, check out FLO! any other thoughts anyone?

Jessica

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[Alien 13]

When starting out it is important to remember that you dont need an expensive scope in some cases the weight and complexity could put you off for good and it ends up in a cupboard unused and unloved. I know i started with a simple spotting scope with nice low magnification and clear views  it got taken everywhere it didnt even need a tripod could be rested on my knees while sitting on a wall or coat laid on the ground. Astronomy is not for everyone but it doesnt need hubble type views to get you hooked and often the imperfections in the useability or views from your 1st scope focus you into where your interests lie.

Alan

[JessicaFaye]

Very valid point Alien 13! And I totally agree! A member of this forum JKB helped me to pick my scope, which was beyond helpful! I admit i was put off and was quite intimidated by the complex aspects of this hobby! But having my great simple scope has got me completely hooked, it's nothing special and I'm certain in the future I will fork out a lot money on this hobby! Start simple!

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[sansan]

I am 64 years young and have just got into astronomy and I am well and truelly smitten. I found an old pair on ross london 9x35 and took them outside and pointed them at pleiades ( didnt know the name then lol) and my jaw dropped, I could'nt believe what I was seeing. I still don't own a telescope yet but I have purchased 10x50 fujinons from adorama, 15x 85 opollos and my quantum 7.4 which are absolutely superb. I have been reading SL forums for quit a while and have learned much of what I know from doing this and have just decided to become a member. I know I need a telescope as I pointed my q7.1s at jupitor last night and what a spectacular site awaited me. The 4 moons were in aline (2 each side) and I could see the 2 bands of jupitor, these were through 16mm extra flat wide angle eps which came with them when I asked for x40s to acconpany the binos. I am glad to have joined SL as I can now share my enthusiasm with others of the same. Sorry if I have gone on abit but just had to get it of my chest. I hope i have posted this on the correct forum. Thank you for being here

[mickshere]

Yep, I've tapdanced around astronomy for years (and years actually) pausing for a second whilst walking the dog in the fields at night... only to discover I'd actually we, had been out for half an hour. After much time scrutinising  I've bought a telescope off FLO, great service and nice people. Im booked into a one day Intro to Astronomy course on Saturday,

[mraj]

Only joined last month and on my first day was made to feel at home , don't post much but still search for answer that I need .

Not that I've had a chance to use my new telescope .. And tomorrow off to meet a few local astronomers at the local meeting my first one..

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[Enlightened Consciousness]

This is a great starter guide, thank you! 

[MalcolmC]

Been looking around here for a while and wish I'd come here first.It's given me some good places to look. Thanks

[Blind Pugh]

So much here and so little time............Thank you.