Fancy getting into astronomy...

[Smiffy]

Always been fascinated by heavenly bodies, so as I hurtle towards retirement I'm thinking of taking up astronomy as a genteel hobby.
Anybody else "into it" and able to offer a few pointers, do's and don'ts etc.
Got my eyes on a first telescope, nothing too expensive.
Advice??

 

[bobmac]

Look through the small end

 

[bobmac]

Isn't Hobbit a fan?

 

[Ethan]

I did an 'O' level in Astronomy a long time ago. It was interesting to learn about how the telescopes worked, about space-time and watching the night sky. A good planetarium visit could get you started.

 

[Pants]

As a starter and to get into the hobby, I'd recommend getting a good quality pair of binoculars first - minimum 10 x 50 or 12 x 60 (the 1st number is the magnification and 2nd number is the diameter of the object lens) A ratio of 1:5 gives the optimal viewing. If you go for anything larger say 15 x 70 or 20 x 100 then although the view is much better, the weight of the things means that you will need at least a tripod or something more substantial. The advantage initially of binoculars over a more expensive telescope (don't bother with a small cheapie 'cos you will be so disappointed) is that there is no messing about setting up and aligning the scope. Just go out, look and enjoy.

As regards to what you will be able to see, so much depends on light pollution in your area. I live on the outskirts of Croydon area and it's not good. A couple of years ago they changed the street lighting to LED and now it's terrible.

HTH

 

[Smiffy]

I've got a decent pair of 10 x 50 binoculars, but fancy being able to see a bit more than they are letting me see. I know the basics of apertures etc. so not a complete noobie, but this will be my first venture into a decent 'scope.
I've got my eye on an Orion XT6, which gets really good reviews.

https://www.telescope.com/mobileProduct/Orion-SkyQuest-XT6-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/102004.uts

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Well your bladder regularly has you up & posting in the wee small hours, so probably a perfect hobby for you

 

[Imurg]

Sounds bleeding obvious but stargazing in the winter gets bloomin' cold.....but then, being a fisherperson, you'll have some gloves and a wooly hat..

 

[williamalex1]

Always been fascinated by heavenly bodies, so as I hurtle towards retirement I'm thinking of taking up astronomy as a genteel hobby.
Anybody else "into it" and able to offer a few pointers, do's and don'ts etc.
Got my eyes on a first telescope, nothing too expensive.
Advice??

There's a few stars on here worth the watching

 

[Smiffy]

Sounds bleeding obvious but stargazing in the winter gets bloomin' cold.....but then, being a fisherperson, you'll have some gloves and a wooly hat..

It gets dark in the summer
????

 

[Smiffy]

Well your bladder regularly has you up & posting in the wee small hours, so probably a perfect hobby for you

Yep. It's amazing how dark it is at 2am
????

 

[Imurg]

It gets dark in the summer
????

Sometimes, with a bright moon, not dark enough....

 

[Piece]

Try and seek out a local astronomy club.

Check out Astronomy Now magazine.

 

[Golfmmad]

It gets dark in the summer
????

Have you visited Hurstmoncuex Observatory yet?
My youngest step daughter had her wedding there - great venue!
As part of the hire we had a tour of the observatory telescope. It was amazing seeing Venus through the scope. We did have to wait a little for the cloud to clear.
?

 

[CliveW]

Have you visited Hurstmoncuex Observatory yet?
My youngest step daughter had her wedding there - great venue!
It was amazing seeing Venus through the scope.
?

Was she a guest at the wedding?

 

[Smiffy]

Have you visited Hurstmoncuex Observatory yet?
?

Visited many, many years ago. Haven't been in ages but may pop over to have a look.
My Son has a telescope and we were looking at Saturn's rings a couple of years ago. It's a really weird feeling being able to see something like that so many millions of miles away. Eerie even.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Sometimes, with a bright moon, not dark enough....

Have to hope for a cloudy night to block out the light of the moon.

 

[Imurg]

Have to hope for a cloudy night to block out the light of the moon.

Genius...why didn't I think of that

 

[backwoodsman]

As someone else said, Hobbit's yer man.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

Visited many, many years ago. Haven't been in ages but may pop over to have a look.
My Son has a telescope and we were looking at Saturn's rings a couple of years ago. It's a really weird feeling being able to see something like that so many millions of miles away. Eerie even.

Best of luck with the new hobby. No doubt will give food for thought!
Talking of Saturn. My favourite photo is the one where the probe to Saturn takes a photo from the "far"side of Saturn looking back. It captures an image of Earth. It's a faint blue dot in inky black space. An insignificant dot.
Puts us into perspective?