My Big Astro Decision!

[Grant]

Hi everyone!

I've been having a dilemma which I've been thinking about for awhile and wanted to share my thoughts with you all to see what you all think and if anybody has any advice etc...

Basically, I have very little time to do astronomy, I've moved out from my parents and I'm currently living with my girlfriends parents whilst we save for a deposit on a house. This means my budget for astro stuff in the future is basically zero - I've got a lot of equipment already -eq6 pro, ed80, C6, 10" Dob etc...

The other thing I've been considering is my lack of focus and depth with astronomy, I keep dipping in one thing then trying another without really learning in depth about one particular subject.

My solution is to pick a particular area of astronomy, spend 2-3 years solely focusing on that subject through reading, observing and imaging before moving on. That way, hopefully I can gradually build up an extensive knowledge about different areas over time and have kit optimised for that particular area.

My first 'topic' is likely to be the sun and moon. I have a PST which will serve me well for the Sun and a C6 which gives great results with the moon. These can both go on my EQ6 Pro and I'm hoping to get a DMK for Christmas which should work well for both subjects.

My hope is, rather than just dipping in and taking a few pictures here and there I can really go in depth with the moon and sun and learn as much as possible - i.e. crater names, histories, the physics behind various phenomena. The 2-3 years figure is arbitary, it may be I stick with the moon and sun forever and try to be an amateur expert in those fields or it may be it takes 10 years....

So I guess my questions are, is this a sensible approach? If I start with the moon and sun, can you recommend any equipment, books, software etc... to get me started?

Thanks,

Grant

[GazOC]

VMA is the best lunar software avaliable (and free). Maybe Sun/ Moon and one other area might be a good idea? There are a lot of nights when the moon is placed for viewing, maybe double stars or something like that for those nights?

[kniclander]

Grant, I am sure that i know far less than you but for the moon, "the Moon Observer's Guide" by Peter Grego is very good because it shows you the terminator each day of the lunar month. I happened to be reading it this a.m. on the train and I can't wait to get home......

[mik]

Grant your dilemma is one i share with you i am also looking at getting into lunar studies ive thought quite hard about equipment for this also and i feel 100/1000 refractor is the way to go on a budget i am looking at a Tal 100rs that reminds me (STEVE)

As for information ive just read Patrick Moore on the moon you wont go far wrong with this book hth

Mick

[Doc]

Grant I sometimes feel the same way. I feel as I'm skirting around, fleeting from one subject to another.

It's a good idea to concentrate on a few subjects only. How about Moon, Sun and planets. And leave the Deep sky stuff alone.

Your Dmk will do the planets proud as well.

[Grant]

Grant, I am sure that i know far less than you but for the moon, "the Moon Observer's Guide" by Peter Grego is very good because it shows you the terminator each day of the lunar month. I happened to be reading it this a.m. on the train and I can't wait to get home......

Excellent, I shall add that book to my Christmas list!

This is also part of my plan, people often find it hard to buy me gifts because I'm so into gadgets etc.. so they don't know what I've got, what I want or what does what! So hopefully, by saying to people, this year I am studying the moon and sun, it should make it easier for people to buy me books etc..

Grant your dilemma is one i share with you i am also looking at getting into lunar studies ive thought quite hard about equipment for this also and i feel 100/1000 refractor is the way to go on a budget i am looking at a Tal 100rs that reminds me (STEVE)

As for information ive just read Patrick Moore on the moon you wont go far wrong with this book hth

Mick

I've found my ED80 has given me some fantastic lunar shots but mostly more widefield, the C6 with its longer focal length is much better at those nice closeup crater shots!

VMA is the best lunar software avaliable (and free). Maybe Sun/ Moon and one other area might be a good idea? There are a lot of nights when the moon is placed for viewing, maybe double stars or something like that for those nights?

Just downloading VMA now, cheers Gaz. The reason I want to just stick to moon/sun is so I don't feel the pressure of going out every night, there are a lot of other projects I'm working on so by focusing on just the moon and sun and taking my time and pacing myself, I see it being more enjoyable and ultimately, more productive!

Cheers,

Grant

[Grant]

Grant I sometimes feel the same way. I feel as I'm skirting around, fleeting from one subject to another.

It's a good idea to concentrate on a few subjects only. How about Moon, Sun and planets. And leave the Deep sky stuff alone.

Your Dmk will do the planets proud as well.

The planets will be my next port of call! Once I'm confident and proficient with the moon and sun... My concern is, with dipping in and out when its clear and when I'm free I felt like I was relearning everything from scratch almost everytime I went out. Again, focusing on one area should help with this...

[Doc]

Download yourself the Astroleague's "Lunar Club"

It's in pdf doc and contains 100's of craters etc to observe on the moon.

http://www.astroleague.org/index.php

[Grant]

Excellent, Thanks Doc!

[Ben Ritchie]

Sky & Telescope's "Lunar 100" is a great visual and/or imaging project too, from the very simple to targets that require great skill and planning.

As for the Sun, it's fairly dull at the moment, although I always find the varied prominences interesting - would be nice if things picked up a little some time soon though...

[Viking]

Grant,

Its a sorry state you have got yourself into, however, your not alone, it has happened to most of us down the ages.

On a lighter note, the Moon!!! I picked up a book off Amazon "The Moon - a biography" by David Whitehouse. I don't normally read books, but this one was a cover to cover job.

Glad to see that you are staying with us.

John

[AstroTiger]

one thing which hit me after kelling is how little i know. meeting ppl who could go from one object to another as effortlessly as pointing from one person to another.

Simple fact is, i was lost, and extremely embarrassed that after so long i know so little.

I have been milling a few ideas in my head, like setting up an astronomy workshop inviting specialist amateurs to come down and teach and train beginners in astronomy what they want to know about.

Star parties do in a sense cater for this, but not to the same degree.

I do know one thing, i have my eye on a few OU courses as a means of catching up.

But i also want to learn the sky again.

So why is my knowledge so weak?

Same as the chap who started this thread, lack of time, and of course issues with light pollution.

I try to read all i can and try to keep up with it. i own some nice equipment too, well it would be nice if the ongoing headaches i have with it would be sorted!

I am of similar mind, though in my case i have decided to choose the Sun for my work and i might use Skylive for doing some work on Galaxies, i was listening to pam gays podcast on it it seems feasilbe work i could do

We'll see.

Sorry if i hijacked the thread

AT

[GazOC]

Another vote for "the Moon Observer's Guide" by Peter Grego

[thing]

I was in the same boat Grant, I decided to take the bull by the horns last year and start doing astronomy on the OU so that I wouldn't feel a dork when the conversation left beer and turned to Seyfert galaxies. I've also made the decision to study and image just one constellation until I know it thoroughly and then move to the next one. Good luck with the Moon, the great thing about it is when it washes out the DSO's you can have a good evening just touring it. I'll second VMA as a great piece of free software too.

[Dave]

We should all be encouraging people to just get out and enjoy our hobby.

Its not always how much money or experience you throw at the hobby (although most magazines and many observers seem to promote this issue). I have for years tried to show people how I do what I do, setting people off on their own exploration of their sky. If anyone makes people feel inadequate (and I know there are people out there who sadly do this) it will prevent people getting out there and doing what they enjoy. The more you try and achieve (especially when imaging) and the more you try and emulate what others are doing, the more frustrations will develop. All of which will drive observers back indoors away from the hobby.

Armchair astronomy is excellent for learning your craft. Meet your local astronomical society as well. If they don't suit you (sir!), or don't make you feel welcome, try another one. Many local clubs are full of people willing to help people new to the hobby develop and pass on their "skills". But at the end of the day it's not what you know, its what you enjoy. Who gives a whatsit if you don't know the whole list Messier Objects by name and their individual magnitudes, know the focal ratio/length of this, or have the biggest, bestest and most magnificent set of optics? That's not whats important! What is important is being out on those clear dark nights with only your naked eyes or binoculars and enjoying the sights and taking it all in. It's that what makes it all worthwhile.

[thing]

We should all be encouraging people to just get out and enjoy our hobby.

Its not always how much money or experience you throw at the hobby (although most magazines and many observers seem to promote this issue). I have for years tried to show people how I do what I do, setting people off on their own exploration of their sky. If anyone makes people feel inadequate (and I know there are people out there who sadly do this) it will prevent people getting out there and doing what they enjoy. The more you try and achieve (especially when imaging) and the more you try and emulate what others are doing, the more frustrations will develop. All of which will drive observers back indoors away from the hobby.

Armchair astronomy is excellent for learning your craft. Meet your local astronomical society as well. If they don't suit you (sir!), or don't make you feel welcome, try another one. Many local clubs are full of people willing to help people new to the hobby develop and pass on their "skills". But at the end of the day it's not what you know, its what you enjoy. Who gives a whatsit if you don't know the whole list Messier Objects by name and their individual magnitudes, know the focal ratio/length of this, or have the biggest, bestest and most magnificent set of optics? That's not whats important! What is important is being out on those clear dark nights with only your naked eyes or binoculars and enjoying the sights and taking it all in. It's that what makes it all worthwhile.

It is if that's what you want to do, if that floats your boat then that's great. I'm interested in the science of it too, plus taking a few pictures, just for me as a reminder of what I've seen. That's what I enjoy doing with astronomy. We all get different things out of it because we are all different.

[AstroTiger]

We should all be encouraging people to just get out and enjoy our hobby.

Its not always how much money or experience you throw at the hobby (although most magazines and many observers seem to promote this issue). I have for years tried to show people how I do what I do, setting people off on their own exploration of their sky. If anyone makes people feel inadequate (and I know there are people out there who sadly do this) it will prevent people getting out there and doing what they enjoy. The more you try and achieve (especially when imaging) and the more you try and emulate what others are doing, the more frustrations will develop. All of which will drive observers back indoors away from the hobby.

Armchair astronomy is excellent for learning your craft. Meet your local astronomical society as well. If they don't suit you (sir!), or don't make you feel welcome, try another one. Many local clubs are full of people willing to help people new to the hobby develop and pass on their "skills". But at the end of the day it's not what you know, its what you enjoy. Who gives a whatsit if you don't know the whole list Messier Objects by name and their individual magnitudes, know the focal ratio/length of this, or have the biggest, bestest and most magnificent set of optics? That's not whats important! What is important is being out on those clear dark nights with only your naked eyes or binoculars and enjoying the sights and taking it all in. It's that what makes it all worthwhile.

on tht chap

i am in total agreement!

[Dave Smith]

Another book for your Christmas list, Grant, is The Modern Moon by Charles Wood and I also find his Moon article in each Sky and Telescope good reading.

Best wishes

Dave

[Grant]

Thanks everyone for their advice, links and suggestions - I'm keeping track of all these books and the list is growing!

Hopefully by staying more focused, I can also pass on anything I learn to other people too