Greetings from a newby

Phattanglo · Post by **Phattanglo** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:18 pm

Hello, I've just registered on SPA after discovering the site while looking for an Astronomy group with a larger British interest.
My name's Kev and I attempt to view the heavens in Leeds though I'm pretty confident I've no idea what I'm looking at most of the time.
I am observing at the moment with binoculars as I don't own a scope yet and I suppose I have a typical laymans knowledge of the night sky, ie a few constellations, where Polaris is, Andromeda galaxy as a tiny smudge !
I have made what I think will be a good move by visiting a local Astronomy club which I intend to join as I tend to learn more from hands on experience rather than just reading.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to picking some experienced brains in the near future regarding both observing and equipment.
Cheers for now. Kev

Andrew INT · Post by **Andrew INT** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:14 pm

Hi Kev,

Welcome to the forum. The folk here are pretty friendly.

All the best,
Andrew

jb1970 · Post by **jb1970** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:21 pm

Hi Kev,

Welcome to the forum. There's loads of experience and knowledge on this forum, so it's a good place to start if you need advice.

All the best
Jack

Phattanglo · Post by **Phattanglo** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:10 am

Just adding my signature.

PS. Does anyone know of an observing spot around Leeds
Preferably somewhere you won't get mugged or horribly murdered after dark.

Andrew INT · Post by **Andrew INT** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:57 am

So you are looking for a site where you could be nicely murdered after dark?

Phattanglo · Post by **Phattanglo** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:28 pm

Yep, live fast die young leave a good looking corpse

Hang on, no that won't work when you're the wrong side of 50.

Phattanglo · Post by **Phattanglo** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:00 pm

Can anyone suggest a dealer near Leeds with a range of budget scopes please.

Gary45 · Post by **Gary45** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:37 pm

Welcome to the forum! I hope you'll enjoy your stay and learn a lot
________________
montecristo cigars

phillj · Post by **phillj** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 4:14 pm

Hello Kev and a warm welcome to SPA.

phillj

Phattanglo · Post by **Phattanglo** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:43 am

Well, things have progressed a bit.
I still haven't got a scope of my own but the astro society I joined loan out equipment.
So my first proper use of a scope will be a 6 inch Orion UK Newtonian on a GEM complete with 10mm and 25mm lenses, a Barlow and a moon filter.
Do I apologise now for a month of cloud cover or is that only valid for a bought scope

Anyway this post is by way of a question, could anyone point me in the direction of a good link on pole alignment please.
The mount is very solidly engineered but the dials are marked differently one is marked with degrees, the other a 24 hr clock.
Also there are no hand controls for pole alignment and no provision for a polar scope, the base of the mount is simply clamped with a nut & bolt which would have to be loosened to tilt the mount.
I'll just be star hopping to start with but I would like the mount to track anything that catches my eye as the scope has a clock drive so pole alignment would be handy.

LeoLion · Post by **LeoLion** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 11:20 am

Hi , I hope this link might help you with setting up the German Eq Mount [url]
http://www.backyardvoyager.com/coordina ... nment.html [url] . With a bit of luck the last Society member to have had the kit on loan should have it set at close to the correct latitude ( so that may be an adjustment you may not have to do much with ) . I hope this helps . Have a great Christmas and clear skies ( this is a bit of wish fulfilment too as I am just a little further south in West Yorkshire !

Len E

Phattanglo · Post by **Phattanglo** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:52 am

I got some clear sky and tried to find a couple of objects.
I've realised already that poor conditions can't be magically improved with a scope no matter what aperture it is.
I got pleiades straight away but even a 25mm lens seemed too powerful. I did seem to get a few more stars in the view but no nebulosity,is that a real word?

Also I guess I'll need a lot more practice, I tried to get the Andromeda galaxy which was clearly visible in my binoculars but try as I might I just couldn't fix it in the finder scope as it was almost directly overhead so I nearly broke my neck trying to use the scope.
When I eventually get a scope of my own I think I'll get a finder scope with a right angle viewer.
Please tell me it gets easier.