[nickname]

Astronomy​

Hi, would like to share my "hobby" with you. Astronomy. The night sky is full of some very amazing sights. Here are two of my three telescopes I enjoy using.

​

This one is my 10-inch (diameter) Newtonian scope mounted on an EQ-6 R mount.

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This one is my 5-inch SCT scope mounted on its Alt/Az mount. This is my "workhorse".

Just beginning my astrophotography journey. What a steep learning curve this is. Both scopes are "Go to", that is, with the hand controller (the little thing with white buttons), I can select any of the 42,000 objects stored in their database, and the scopes will go to the selected object and then track it as it travels across the sky.

 

[April Bradford]

WOW @nickname - this looks like an amazing hobby. I'd love to see some of your astrophotography one day!

 

[Sethia Soliman]

Astronomy​

Hi, would like to share my "hobby" with you. Astronomy. The night sky is full of some very amazing sights. Here are two of my three telescopes I enjoy using.
View attachment 34214This one is my 10 inch (diameter) Newtonian scope mounted on an EQ-6 R mount.
View attachment 34215 This one is my 5 inch SCT scope mounted on its Alt/Az mount. This is my "workhorse".

Just beginning my astrophotography journey. What a steep learning curve this is.
Both scopes are "Go to", that is, with the hand controller (the little thing with white buttons) I can select any of the 42,000 objects stored in their database and the scopes will go to the selected object and then track it as it travels across the sky.

Oh my goodness! You're making me want to take this hobby up too!

 

[nickname]

Thank you for your kind comments. Sethia this is indeed a wonderful hobby, but can, and does, become quite expensive. April, once I have conquered my astrophotography I would be happy to share them with everyone on this wonderful forum.

 

[Jarred Santos]

This is honestly sooooo amazing @nickname! What's the furthest thing you've ever spotted with these?

 

[Maddison Dwyer]

This is incredible @nickname I'd love to learn more about this hobby!

 

[nickname]

Hi Maddison, I'd be more than happy to pass on any knowledge I possess.
Jarred, the furthest object I've observed is the Andromeda Galaxy. It is 2.5 million light years from Earth and approx 152,000 light years in diameter.

A light year is a measurement in distance. It is the distance light travels in 1 year through the vacuum of space.

One light year = 9,460,700,000,000 kilometers. That is, 9 trillion, 460 billion, 700 million kilometers.

That is a long way.

Multiply the just mentioned k/lm light year distance by 2.5 million, and that is how far away Andromeda is. I couldn't even begin to say the answer, I doubt anyone could. That is why Astronomers use light years as a distance guide. It is called the Andromeda Galaxy because it sits in the northern constellation of Andromeda.

My scopes will easily see further, as indeed, most others will.

 

[Maddison Dwyer]

Wow @nickname that is fascinating. Can I ask if you're located in a city or whether you're in a regional / rural area? I imagine location can have a significant impact on how far you can see? Or maybe with the advanced telescopes it doesn't matter where you're located?

 

[nickname]

Hi Maddison,

Your location DOES have an impact in a big way. The sky viewing as far as astronomy is concerned, is largely "governed" by where you are. This is largely impacted by light pollution, that is, too much light being reflected upwards, which does drown out some of the objects you wish to view.
This is why all observatories are in rural areas.
There is a scale that is used, going by the name of Bortle. In Brisbane, where I used to live, it is in Bortle 7 to 8. In the city it would be 10+. The lower the Bortle number, the better quality your viewing. Where I am now, mid North Coast NSW, I enjoy Bortle 2 skies.

Even the most advanced scopes can't offer too much help with a high Bortle number.

I have a (free) software program called STELLARIUM, which amongst many of it's features, it gives the Bortle "conditions" of your observing site.

 

[Maddison Dwyer]

Hi @nickname,

Thank you for explaining this to me! It makes a lot of sense. I have been to the Sydney Observatory before which was very good, but I didn't feel like I saw as much as I often see when I am in the country! The light pollution must have had an impact.

The Mid North coast must have beautiful, clear skies. It is such a lovely place to visit, so I can only imagine an even better place to live! There is nothing quite like a clear night sky when you can see all the stars so nice and clearly.

Thank you so much for taking the time to teach me about your hobby I'm hoping you can post more about it in the future!

 

[Littleboy8]

Astronomy​

Hi, would like to share my "hobby" with you. Astronomy. The night sky is full of some very amazing sights. Here are two of my three telescopes I enjoy using.

View attachment 34214​

This one is my 10-inch (diameter) Newtonian scope mounted on an EQ-6 R mount.

View attachment 34215​

This one is my 5-inch SCT scope mounted on its Alt/Az mount. This is my "workhorse".

Just beginning my astrophotography journey. What a steep learning curve this is. Both scopes are "Go to", that is, with the hand controller (the little thing with white buttons), I can select any of the 42,000 objects stored in their database, and the scopes will go to the selected object and then track it as it travels across the sky.

Crickey that’s a big one I’ve never seen one that bigI’m impressed show us more please.

 

[nickname]

Hi @nickname,

Thank you for explaining this to me! It makes a lot of sense. I have been to the Sydney Observatory before which was very good, but I didn't feel like I saw as much as I often see when I am in the country! The light pollution must have had an impact.

The Mid North coast must have beautiful, clear skies. It is such a lovely place to visit, so I can only imagine an even better place to live! There is nothing quite like a clear night sky when you can see all the stars so nice and clearly.

Thank you so much for taking the time to teach me about your hobby I'm hoping you can post more about it in the future!

As time goes by, God permitting, I am more than happy to bring any one on this journey. The Sydney Obs was built a long time ago when light pollution was not a problem.
And, yes, it is wonderful to enjoy clear skies, unfortunately, even location cannot get the better of clouds. The two things that ruin any scope session are clouds (and rain), and a full to half full moon.
Once again light pollution. But having said that, the lunar landscape is full of awe and surprise.

The Moon by the way, is best observed when is 1/4 moon. That is when the Moon appears 1/2 lit.
Although it is 1/2 lit, that is the phase we refer to when the Moon is described in calendars etc as a 1/4 Moon.. The Moon goes through 1/4 ( half moon), 1/2 (full moon), 3/4 ( half moon), (4/4) No Moon, hence the 4 referred to phrases.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Wow I'm very impressed , this is amazing and all in your own backyard I think you have one of the best hobbies

 

[nickname]

It is a wonderful hobby @Suzanne rose. Perhaps the only drawback is the long, cold winter nights. But like most rewarding endeavors in life, you sacrifice something to achieve your goal.

 

[Suzanne rose]

It is a wonderful hobby @Suzanne rose. Perhaps the only drawback is the long, cold winter nights. But like most rewarding endeavors in life, you sacrifice something to achieve your goal.

A nice warm coat and a hot coffee would help with that.
Do you live in a good area for this. I'm in Sydney and my sister always say how clear the night sky is in the country where she lives . Her comment is " it's like you can reach out and touch the stars it's so clear

 

[nickname]

True @Suzanne rose, warm clothing (usually a couple of layers) and a thermos of coffee does help. But even then, after several hours it gets cold, and so does the coffee. It is not practical to go inside to make fresh coffee because you lose your "night vision" and it takes about 1/2 an hour to then regain it.

Your sister accurately describes country skies. I live in a small rural town called Minimbah, which is about 20 klms west of Forster, and the skies are so crystal clear. You can easily enjoy the night skies with just your eyes only, even a pair of binoculars offer a great view.

 

[Jan A]

Thank you for sharing your fascinating hobby. With astronomy, there is always something new to learn about or observe. Being able to see the wonders of the universe through your own telescope is amazing. With a hobby like this, you will never be short of something new to discover.

For us novices wanting an introduction to the night sky, have a look at the NASA website's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD): https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/

APOD shows an astronomy related picture every day with a brief explanation by an astronomer and links to further information. It may not be as exciting as having our own "eye on the stars" but it can help us learn more about the universe and understand better when we hear the more experienced people talk about their discoveries.

 

[Littleboy8]

Thank you for sharing your fascinating hobby. With astronomy, there is always something new to learn about or observe. Being able to see the wonders of the universe through your own telescope is amazing. With a hobby like this, you will never be short of something new to discover.

For us novices wanting an introduction to the night sky, have a look at the NASA website's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD): https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/

APOD shows an astronomy related picture every day with a brief explanation by an astronomer and links to further information. It may not be as exciting as having our own "eye on the stars" but it can help us learn more about the universe and understand better when we hear the more experienced people talk about their discoveries.

Wow just looked it up i’m a being a cancerian it looks amazing i am in awe. Goody a new thing to read thanks for that info.

 

[nickname]

NASA's APOD site is full of the wonders of our universe, and the information provided it is a great source of learning about the fascinating sights.

I never tire of looking at objects through my scope.

The unimaginable size of the universe and the galaxies and nebula it contains as well as nebula, star clusters, double and variable stars within our own galaxy and the planets and moons in our solar system offer a feast of nights viewing.

 

[Littleboy8]

NASA's APOD site is full of the wonders of our universe, and the information provided it is a great source of learning about the fascinating sights.

I never tire of looking at objects through my scope.

The unimaginable size of the universe and the galaxies and nebula it contains as well as nebula, star clusters, double and variable stars within our own galaxy and the planets and moons in our solar system offer a feast of nights viewing.

I had one in tassie not that big of course and it was amazing at night to see the sky like that.especially full moons. I swear I could see the man on the moon waving at me.that was on the west coast Rosebery.