Greetings

[DarkLane]

After a very disappointing start in 2013 which tested my resolve to stargaze at all, I am finally in a position and place to begin all over again. I got my trusty beginner telescope (nothing fancy, celestron powerseeker 114eq),  my maps, a good stool, log books, and coffee! 

I don´t know if there´s anyone else on here from Iceland but the latitude tests an amateur astronomer with only 6 months of viewing time, so I´ve been using my summer to plan out my strategy for Sept, Oct and Nov.  Plenty to see if the weather holds. I´m looking forward to seeing the stars again.

[Floater]

Welcome. Hope the ‘reboot’ works and that you have lots of fun. 🙂

[Dinglem]

@DarkLane welcome to SGL, you missed "patience" from your list as you will need it, at least when you do get a clear night later in the year it will be a long one.

[sloz1664]

Hi and a very warm welcome to the Lounge

Steve

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @DarkLaneand welcome to SGL. 

quote: "After a very disappointing start in 2013 which tested my resolve to stargaze at all, I am finally in a position and place to begin all over again. I got my trusty beginner telescope (nothing fancy, celestron powerseeker 114eq),  my maps, a good stool, log books, and coffee!..." end of quote

...do they sell Jaffa Cakes in Iceland? 

Edited July 11, 2019 by Philip R

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi there, welcome. 

[cletrac1922]

Darklane

Welcome from Land Down Under

You travel the universe in this forum

John

 

PS

Early next year, NASA is sending another Rover to Mars

The attached link will enable you to register, to have your name included on the Rover, and download a Boarding Pass

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-invites-public-to-submit-names-to-fly-aboard-next-mars-rover

 

[DarkLane]

Thanks all, a very warm welcome. 
@Dinglem :  I will definitely bring patience along on my sojourn, either that or a really warm blanket.

@Philip R : I have heard of these "Jaffa Cakes" but they don't look like cakes. I prefer my dried haddock fillets and butter....

@cletrac1922:  Thanks for the tip on the Rover, always looking for a way to gain posterity

Edited July 11, 2019 by DarkLane

[RT65CB-SWL]

Jaffa Cakes are part of the 'staple diet' for some amatuer astronomers at star-parties and other astro-gatherings here in UK/GB.

We also have a supermarket chain called 'Iceland'.

Edited July 11, 2019 by Philip R

[SIDO]

Welcome to SGL, Best of Luck and Clear Skies of course...

                         Freddie.

[MarsG76]

Welcome to SGL and good luck on astround 2....

[Demonperformer]

Hi, DarkLane, and welcome (back?) to SGL.

The sky is very patient ... most of the things you could have seen between 2013 & now are still visible, so no worries there.

Enjoy the journey.

[MarsG76]

Did you observe yet?? How'd you go if you did?

 

[PeterCPC]

Hello and welcome.

Peter

[DarkLane]

@Philip R had a good chuckle at that, Iceland the store, yes we are selling bits off every day...

@Demonperformer this is what I love about astronomy, so much to see for a very, very, very long time....

@MarsG76 Not yet Mars, sunrise is still around the clock where I am, it is starting to get mildly dark at about 3 in the morning but not enough to see stars yet

Once again, thanks for the welcome. I will have load of questions as I bumble through

[banjaxed]

Hi and welcome to SGL.

[Nigella Bryant]

Hi and welcome, at least you get to see the glorious northern light's. I've only ever seen it once from Scotland. I live in the southwest of England. Solar observing would be good for the summer month's though. Have fun. 

[DarkLane]

@Nigella Bryant Thanks and Yes, they are a treat and on good days I can see them in Reykjavik even with the light pollution. I have several friends that make quite a hobby imaging them. 

[Ben the Ignorant]

3 hours ago, DarkLane said:

I can see them in Reykjavik even with the light pollution

I was wondering about that. I presume light pollution is never that strong in Iceland thanks to the low population, but is it a good trade-off for high latitude?

[DarkLane]

I´m afraid that Reykjavík suffers from the same kind of light pollution that a lot of other big cities do but I don´t need to go too far to get to decent skies (about 40 minute drive to a dark-sky spot). That´s the decent trade-off for having a small population. It is fairly rare to see the Aurora inside the city limits but it does happen sometimes

[Mr Spock]

Hi, welcome to SGL

[davhei]

Welcome Dark Lane. I’m observing from similar latitudes in Sweden, a few degrees more south probably. I’ve been surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed observing under summer evening skies. Jupiter, Saturn and the moon have offered pleasing views and the occasional bright double star added a bit of deep sky to the mix. Give it a go if you get the chance. Perhaps the planets are too low in the sky for you this year but it gets better in years to come.

 

Summer evenings added the fun aspect of public outreach to the experience as well. Lots of curious people stopping to ask about the scope and take a peek at the moon. Not as much interest from the public on bitterly cold and dark winter nights let me tell you. 

[JRM]

Hello and welcome to the lounge.

 

Rick

[Startinez]

Welcome (back)!

 

Seems you've been busy planning ahead which in the challenging conditions you describe will no doubt serve you well. Looking forward to hearing some stories about your views from Iceland...