Hey, I eventually got there...

[Dazzyt66]

So, my first memories of stars and planets was a giant wall chart of the solar system when I was small. Then it was my grandmas and his 10x20(?) binoculars and the moon. A cheap refractor telescope - and the moon. Then my dads 20x50 binoculars and you guessed it, the moon.

Fast forward 30 years or so (life happened in between) and I was showing my daughters the ISS passing over and.... The moon.

Finally, I have got my first scope - a Firstscope (yes, I know it's more of a toy) - mainly to see what potential a real scope held from my garden.

Wow! The moon looks great (lol) and for the first time I have seen Venus properly in phase (rather than just a really bright light) also Mars and Jupiter - not much to see from my supplied 4mm lens but still got me the bug back. I've attached a pic I took of the moon one afternoon (yes in daylight) on my iPhone held over the lens - pretty good all things considered!

Now saving up for a Skyliner 200p. Even my wife has got the bug a joined me at 4am a couple of mornings as I take advantage of those few clear skies!!

Great forum. Can't wait to see what I will see with the 200 but at the moment I want to push the 'little 'un' to its limits!!!

Dazzyt

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[T-WING]

Nice! +1 for your wife !

[Blackadder1620]

Just a few days ago i got a scope too, caught the moon followed by a bright Crescent called venus all with in 15 mins. I have never been so disappointed the moon won't return in full swing for a week atleast here. Be careful about the eye piece buy ive already bought 2, i have gotten a zoom eyepiece and i highly recommend for noobies like ourselves also kids like them too. Clear skies.

[Dazzyt66]

Ditto about the moon lol!!

Yeah, I agree that good eyepieces are a must. My main objective now though is just learning to navigate and star hop - I don't need owt fancy got that to be fun

Oh, did I mention I'll be exploring the moon (again) when it's back lol!

Clear skies!!!

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[Charic]

I like your choice of scope, the Skyliner 200P.........images like this are possible using the Skyline, but by no means perfect yet, still a little more practice required for me, I need /want a larger image from the Nikon (working on that issue).

The half Moon was using a Nikon DSLR and the craters using an Android phone.

 

Welcome to the SGL forums.

[laudropb]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Take your time with things like eyepieces. There is no need to hurry. Learn your way around the night sky. The main thing is to enjoy yourself. It's great that you have your family involved.

[Astro Imp]

Great to hear of another person joining the ranks.

The moon is a great object always something to see and explore.

To help get the most of our neighbour The Virtual Moon Atlas is well worth downloading(it's a freebie):- http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualmoon/

Also to get some structure into your luna observing the luna 100 is fun.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Dazzyt66]

As its the new year I went back to where I started as a member of the forum. Still have the first scope but also have a 150p, from AstroBoot. Cost me £50 but built a base and love my 'Dobbie' to bits! Have seen things with him I have only dreamed about previously!! No smutty smirks please!!!!

Am about to take delivery of 'Stacey' (ST80) which will bring me a whole new perspective and just to complete the set am hoping to get a 150 mak pro later in the year (he will be called Mak obvs - ok maybe Big Mac [emoji3])!

Yeah, I am like a kid in a toy shop and enjoying it immensely... If it weren't for these damn clouds!!! [emoji30]

Loving every minute of SGL!!!