Astronomy Reefers

[Liquid360]

Any chance anybody around here is also into amateur astronomy?

 

[Liquid360]

Nobody? ... cool hardware... nature in all its splendor? shares certain characteristics with reefing... kinda sorta maybe? Nobody?

 

[johnanddawn]

I'm a big astro buff and, I teach a large unit in my freshman physical science class. We concentrate on the big sky stuff cause they do solar system in 6 th grade.

I do not do imagining or anything like that though - I have an old 10" Meade Dobson that I take out a couple times a year when there is a cool convergence or opposition to see
I really like the deep sky stuff though and would like to be able to say I've seen all the Messier objects one day, but I'm at half at best so far

 

[Liquid360]

Glad that there's somebody else!! I sorta thought there'd be more here. I'm very much a newbie and recently purchased a big high tech scope before realizing just how out of my league I was. There's a local club which has a star party on one Saturday per month, all of which have been rained/clouded out the past 6 months. It's not easy to teach yourself.

I'm a big astro buff and, I teach a large unit in my freshman physical science class. We concentrate on the big sky stuff cause they do solar system in 6 th grade.

I do not do imagining or anything like that though - I have an old 10" Meade Dobson that I take out a couple times a year when there is a cool convergence or opposition to see
I really like the deep sky stuff though and would like to be able to say I've seen all the Messier objects one day, but I'm at half at best so far

 

[johnanddawn]

What kinda scope you get?

I'm an amateur as well but I can say;
The best viewing time is in the winter months when the sky's are crisp and clear, but here in wisconsin that also means cold!
The best way to learn is to start with planet viewing cause they are easy to find and cool to look at. Once you learn the constellations use a good sky chart and start searching for Messier objects
Today's computerized scopes make it easy once you learn to orientate them, but I prefer the old fashion way though, it forces you to learn the sky

I read astronomy mag and use this site to see if there is something cool to see
The Sky this Week: August 2?11, 2013 - Astronomy Magazine
I also have a night sky app on my iPad that shows me the sky in real time from my exact location

The perseids are coming up soon as well but you don't need a scope to enjoy them, just have to get up early to see the best

 

[Liquid360]

I very much appreciate the direction!! I live in the middle of a downtown area with tons of light pollution so ill probably need to find a good dark sky area. I got a Meade LX90 ACF 10in and also got a SkyFi module and sky safari pro so I can theoretically aim the scope wirelessly with iPhone to any object in the sky. Too much tech can be quite daunting when you lack the basic knowledge. I know tech. I don't know the sky.

 

[Liquid360]

 

[johnanddawn]

Wow - that is cool.
I read the specs and capabilities of that thing
Take it out to a dark sky, turn it on, and it will give you a guided tour of more deep sky objects in an hour then I will find in a lifetime.
:)
The technology built into that scope is absolutely insane!

 

[Liquid360]

Wow!! Glad to know I picked a decent scope! Wasn't quite sure if it could do everything it claimed. Hearing that has me excited! And of course it's thunder storming at the moment!!