So, I've come to say hello

[Optimust]

Hello everybody. It's my first time on an astronomy forum so please be gentle. A complete novice which I'm hoping to change. I've become more and more interested in the night sky..and everything that's in the universe. It's beautiful and fascinating, so fairly sure it'll be a hobby I stick to. I'm an overworked underpaid single mum so looking at the stars is like getting away from it all :-)

[mikeobrien]

Glad to have you aboard feel free to ask any questions and don't forget the only daft questions are the ones you don't ask. What area of astronomy interests you? for me its deepsky astrophotography.

Mike

[jetstream]

Hi Optimust and welcome aboard! This is a great hobby with lots to learn and the people here are always more than willing to help

Best Regards

Gerry

[Dave In Vermont]

Greetings and welcome to SGL. No fear of being mistreated! We're all friendly folks who enjoy helping answer all questions. So pull up a chair and make yourself at home!

Clear Skies,

Dave

[glowjet]

Hello Optimist and welcome to SGL, For those casual moments, when your beloved offspring are asleep and you are able to step outside, a modest pair of binoculars should get you started with your observing of the night sky. The free program "Stellarium" is also a good aid, to help you find you way about. enjoy

[thanders]

Hi and welcome from Sweden!

/T

[PeterCPC]

Hi and welcome.

Peter

[Dave Lloyd]

Don't worry, I was a complete novice before I started on here and now I'm er a complete novice. Seriously though this lot can help with anything you ask.

[swamp thing]

Hi and welcome to the stargazers lounge.

Thanks for choosing this forum as your first foray into this wonderful hobby.

Enjoy

[estwing]

welcome along....if you need to ask anything there's plenty of help on here and dont be afraid to...we all started somewhere!

[Charic]

Hello and welcome to SGL

Great advice from glowjet.

10x50 or 8x40 binoculars will give you so much more to see than naked eyes alone.

As for detailing on the Planets, you may want to consider a telescope as/when your knowledge increases, but be prepaired for whats ahead, its no easy ride choosing the right binoculars or telescope, but they can and will work well together.

[Ruud]

Hi Optimust,

[Bizibilder]

Hello Optimust and welcome to SGL!!

[Mr Spock]

Hi, welcome to SGL

[mapstar]

Hello and big welcome

Clear skies

Damian

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum. As John has mentioned above, Stellarium is a great starting point to learn the night sky and to discover where the brightest objects are that you can locate with a pair of binoculars. There is a book called, "Turn Left at Orion" which isn't the cheapest book out there BUT it is great value for money as it lists around 100 objects (which are divided into seasons) that can be found using modest equipment. The book includes information on each of the objects along with both written and pictorial instructions on how to find these objects. If you're interested, you can take a look here to check out the layout.

Clear skies and hope you enjoy your stay here.

[swag72]

Hi and welcome to SGL - Glad that you found us and hope that you enjoy your time here.

Look forward to seeing you around

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL

[sargey]

Welcome optimist, only just started myself this year, total novice, but learnt loads from these forums.

Enjoy, and yes it certainly gives the feeling of getting away from it all

[Pondus]

Hi and welcome from Norway  .

Rune

[purdo]

Hi & Welcome to SGL.

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

[Saganite]

Hi and welcome to the lounge

[hippie]

Welcome to SGL  .

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Optimust!

Dana