Hello from Preston UK

[cultiv8ed]

I've been lurking on the forum for quite a while and taking in the wealth of knowledge on here so I decided it was time to say hello.

I'm Mike from Preston, UK.  I have had a Skywatcher Heritage 130 since March 2013 and have tried to get out regularly each month with it.  I have bought a few new EPs since then (BST 8mm and Maxview 24mm), learned the dark art of collimation and made myself a shroud/ rudimentary dew shield using a black yoga mat

I'm particularly fond of viewing the gas giants, open/globular clusters and the orion nebula.  The faintest fuzzy object that I have spotted so far has been the triangulum galaxy while on holiday in Cumbria.  Andromeda has eluded me so far but I will be giving that another try while its cold and dark.

This year I'm hoping to purchase a more grab-n-go style telescope in the form of a wide-field refractor with a photographic tripod and then eventually branch out to solar astronomy with a filter for it and maybe even some imaging with a different mount + camera.

[JamesF]

Welcome to SGL

James

[floppygoose]

Welcome to SGL. I personally find it easier to spot the Andromeda galaxy with binoculars than with my scope.

All the best

Phil

[Charon]

Welcome aboard.

[Mr Spock]

Hi Mike, welcome to SGL

[LeeWilky]

Hi fellow Prestonian and welcome to SGL

If you want a decent grab and go scope have you considered a Dobsonion Reflector like the Skywatcher series?  Great scopes.

[JamesM]

Hi Mike and welcome to the forum. Might want to consider purchasing Steve Richards book, "Making Every Photon Count" if imaging is going to be your future goal as it will help advise the most appropriate kit to buy for the type of imaging that you want to get into.

Clear skies

James

[wookie1965]

A warm welcome to SGL

[cultiv8ed]

Thanks everyone and thanks for the recommendations

[sologuitarist61]

Hello Mike, welcome to SGL

[mickshere]

Hi Mike, I grew up (some say) in Rbbleton, love Preston... there must be an aweful lot of ambient light up there

Welcome in 

[cultiv8ed]

The edges of Preston aren't too bad for LP. Its better than the centre of Manchester. UCLAN have their Alston observatories only a few miles east of Preston.

I've managed to spot M57 in my skies with the heritage 130 if that's any indication.

[ronl]

Hi and welcome to the lounge,

nice to see your enjoying yourself.

Good Luck and Clear Sky's

[Little Big Planet]

Hi Mike and welcome to SGL. Any help you need the members of this site will be more than happy to help i assure you. Also i am loving the Games Master picture.

RIP Sir Patrick Moore

[ToxoLight]

Hi Mike and welcome to the lounge.

[avtaram]

Hello Mike, welcome to SGL.

Avtar

[Bizibilder]

Hello Mike and welcome to SGL!!

[HIP3802]

Hi, Mike, and welcome to SGL!

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

[glowjet]

Hi Mike, welcome to SGL

[todd8137]

Hi and welcome from me

Pat

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Mike!

Dana

[rustyjames]

Welcome to sgl,my daughter is at uni not far from you,I haven't seen andromeda with my scope yet but have with my bins

[RobertC]

Welcome Mike, i struggle to even find Andromeda at times. Hate living in a area that is subject to LP.

-Rob

[rob0971]

Welcome to the lounge matey.