Hello. Rik from Manchester, UK!

[R1k]

Hi guys, great to be joining this forum. Have been lurking for a while but decided it’s time to create an account.

I have some experience with visual astronomy but I am new to astrophotography which is now my primary focus.

Have recently acquired a 2018 model HEQ5-pro with Rowan belt mod and will be using a stock Canon 800d DSLR for imaging.

Will be looking to acquire a 80mm ED APO refractor in the coming months to formally get going with what I hope to be a long-lived hobby/passion!

Would be interested to hear from anyone around the North West UK area, I’m unfamiliar with where the best dark skies are around here 

[Floater]

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun and success with the AP. 🙂

[toshapetriji]

Welcome to the forum R1K. 

[PeterCPC]

Hello and welcome.

Peter

[Mr Spock]

Hi Rik, welcome to SGL 

[TerryMcK]

Hi Rik welcome. There aren’t any truly dark skies around Manchester but no matter. Get yourself a light pollution filter for the camera. I use two for colour; the IDAS D2 and the Altair Tribander. Both are great and block out old style street lights, LED lights and the tribander even seems to block out skyglow from the full moon - as long as you don’t point in the general direction of the moon! I’ve imaged a lot when the moon is approaching full with reasonable (not brilliant) results. Be warned they are not cheap!

So you can image very easily from your garden - trees and surrounding buildings permitting. But there is nothing like seeing the sky from a truly dark location - few and far between in the UK. Have a look here for some dark skies sites 

https://www.nationalparks.uk/visiting/outdoor-activities/dark-skies

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL.

[R1k]

18 minutes ago, TerryMcK said:

Hi Rik welcome. There aren’t any truly dark skies around Manchester but no matter. Get yourself a light pollution filter for the camera. I use two for colour; the IDAS D2 and the Altair Tribander. Both are great and block out old style street lights, LED lights and the tribander even seems to block out skyglow from the full moon - as long as you don’t point in the general direction of the moon! I’ve imaged a lot when the moon is approaching full with reasonable (not brilliant) results. Be warned they are not cheap!

So you can image very easily from your garden - trees and surrounding buildings permitting. But there is nothing like seeing the sky from a truly dark location - few and far between in the UK. Have a look here for some dark skies sites 

https://www.nationalparks.uk/visiting/outdoor-activities/dark-skies

Thanks for the recommendation Terry. I did pick up a skytech CLS filter for non modded Canon DSLR but haven’t yet used it. 

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi R1k, welcome. 

[ronl]

Hello Rik, and welcome to the community, hope you enjoy your time with us,

see you around the forums.

Clear Sky's.

[banjaxed]

Hi Rik, welcome to SGL.

[sloz1664]

Hi Rik and a very warm welcome to the Lounge

Steve

[Dr Strange]

Welcome Rik!

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire 🙂