Hello

[rocketray]

I have just joined what looks like a great forum. I am a British ex-pat living in the west of Ireland. I became interested in astronomy in the 1970's after attending a Sir Patrick Moore lecture in London. My first tescope was a cheap Tasco refractor, but I was able to see Jupiter and its moons and the Orion nebula with it. I could never afford anything better and for a great many years just used binoculars occasionally to stargaze. A few months back I got a Celestron 130EQ reflector without a power drive. Unfortunately we suffer from a lot of cloud cover here so clear nights are a luxury and so far I have only seen Venus, Jupiter and Orion nebula and am still learning how to use my new toy. I hope to learn more and get some good advice. I have attached my humble attempt at photography. My very first astral image of the moon using a Canon digital compact camera piggybacked on the sope

[Saganite]

Welcome to the forum, and enjoy that telescope.

[damnut]

hi Rocketray,

Warm welcome to SGL, hope you enjoy the forums.

Slainte

[swag72]

Hi and welcome to SGL - Glad that you found us and decided to join! Hope that you enjoy your time here.

Look forward to seeing you around

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

[PeterCPC]

Hi and welcome.

Peter

[hippie]

Welcome to SGL  .

[Mr Spock]

Hi, welcome to SGL

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Rocketray!

Dana

[HIP3802]

Hi. rocketray, and a warm welcome to SGL!

[Dave Lloyd]

Hello and welcome.

[xtreemchaos]

hi mate and welcome to the wonderfull world of SGL from south wales,my first scope was a early tasco too,all the best..charl..

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL

[glowjet]

Hi Rocketray and welcome to SGL, well done with your first photo. You will often find mentioned, the darker the sky you can view and photograph from, the better. in 2014 the International Dark Sky Ass, awarded some 700 sq km of south west Kerry, known as the Ring of Kerry, the third darkest site status in the World.  As you are much closer to it than us here in the UK, it could be worth a visit with your scope, some time in the future, if you want some really good results. Enjoy your new telescoped and  the forum

[Physopto]

Hi Rocketray,

Welcome, was over in Southern Ireland a few years ago very nice place. Had a lot of cloud around the Killoglin area where we stayed, but very beautiful.

Derek

[Scorpius]

Welcome aboard Rocketray - hope you enjoy the forum  

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Clear skies

[rocketray]

I am aware of Kerry dark sky reserve John and plan to spend a few days there next year.

[Charon]

Welcome aboard.

[Bizibilder]

Hello Rocketray and welcome to SGL!!

[purdo]

Hi & Welcome to SGL.  Hope you enjoy your time here & your new scope.

[Sonicfishcake42]

Welcome aboard mate! Keep the pics coming