Sci-Fi Book Prompts New Hobby

[TheCBK]

Hi there,

I'm Matt, 22 years old from 'sunny' Wolverhampton. Like the rest of you I suppose I've also had an obsession with space. I'm currently reading Ark by Stephen Baxter (fantastic read - I recommend it strongly) and it has prompted me to become interested in space & beyond. (which is handy because I've been craving a hobby for a while now)

I've decided not to rush into buying a telescope yet, I have bought a beginners guide and a pair of binoculars.

Fingers crossed I can get my around the complexity of Astronomy. Be ready for questions!

[brantuk]

Hi Matt and welcome to the group

Same way I started - it'll stand you in good stead for when you do decide to get a scope - ask any questions you like - someone will allways get you an answer.

[Talitha]

Hi from Wisconsin and welcome to the group, Matt. Binoculars and a beginners' guide is the way i started... lots of great memories were had during that learning time. Get a red flashlight if you don't already have one, and you might find a planisphere very helpful, too.

[Bizibilder]

Hello Matt and welcome to SGL!!

[Rusty Strings]

Hi and welcome from me too

[TheCBK]

Hi from Wisconsin and welcome to the group, Matt. Binoculars and a beginners' guide is the way i started... lots of great memories were had during that learning time. Get a red flashlight if you don't already have one, and you might find a planisphere very helpful, too.

Thanks all, I have coloured the end of my flashlight with a red Sharpie pen. Works a treat.

[RayGil]

Hello Matt and welcome to the SGL, look forward to hearing about your exploits in the world of astronomy.

[tobot]

Hi there , one you've had a little taster of mars and venus with bins you'll be craving amscope

:-)

[glowjet]

Hi Matt,

A very warm welcome to SGL, have a look in our bino`s section, you will see a program called TUBA you can download, a very versatile set of star maps you can alter and then print for use outside, enjoy the forum.

John

[Beulah]

Hi Matt and welcome

I've had a lifelong interest in Sci-fi too - and thanks for literary greats such as Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov inspiring those to look at the sky instead of the ground.......

[JamesM]

Hi Matt and welcome to the forum.

Take your time when buying kit as you want to be sure that the performance will match your expectations and thereby avoiding the continuing cycle of buying and reselling etc.

There is no rush as the stars aren't going anywhere and binos are a great start!

Clear skies

James

[malx]

Hello and welcome. I think i might check that book out. Thanks

[phillc]

Hello Matt and a warm welcome to SGL.

phillc

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Matt!

Dana

[daneel]

Welcome Matt. You can probably guess from my name that I got the Astronomy bug from reading too much Asimov.

Ramin

[Luke]

Howdy Matt,

Welcome to SGL!

Bins is the way, in hindsight, that I should have started.

Best of luck with your exploring!

[ezza123]

Welcome from North Hampshire :-)

[Argon]

Welcome to SGL Matt.

If you are enjoying Ark, then I strongly recommend "The Time Ships", also by Stepehen Baxter! Another great read.

[Brendan of Borg]

Hello and welcome!

[Stav_98]

Hi Matt,

BANG! A complete history of the Universe by Brian May, Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott was the final straw for me. I was lucky enough to have been given a telescope and had my first outing with it on Saturday. What can I say...it's very easy to get hooked!

Martin

[johnh]

Welcome from Brisbane.

JohnH.

[Revs]

I've decided not to rush into buying a telescope yet, I have bought a beginners guide and a pair of binoculars. !

A wise move. Welcome buddy

[mark7331]

Hello Matt an welcome to SGL

[PeterMammoth]

Hello.

Yup, no hurry to buy a scope. I waited until I was 34 before I finally got one - no regrets. By that time I knew exactly what I wanted/needed. Plus it helps to learn your way around the sky with binoculars first.

[cosmic dave]

Hello when the astro bug bites your hooked and will always come back to astronomy !! you've been warned