Amateur astronomers?

GWC Community Geek Hobbies
#1

Anyone else into astronomy? I have been since I was 13, and for the last 14 years I have been using the same telescope—an odyssey 8. It’s nothing flashy, but works fairly well. It’s about four feet long and the lens is about a foot and a half wide. I have about 7 different eyepieces, and few different colored filters. I am planning on picking up a sun filter one of these days.

So far my favorite object to look at has been the horse head nebula, which is in Orion. I am thinking about seeing if its possible to take a picture through my telescope, but first I need to:

A-replace my old camera
B-figure out how to take apart my telescope to clean it (it’s really bad now).

This is what it looks like.

#2

Huh. Can’t help you there, but you should google “Webcam telescope” for a bunch of sites that have recently been promoting that approach. I’m sure one of the hits will lead to “how do I clean this thing” info.

#3

I’ve looked into this before but living in a major centers most of my life the light pollution was and still is an issue, but I do know a few, people in the field I’ll shoot him off an email, but like pike said goggle is probably just as informative.

#4

I’m into astronomy too, I don’t have a telescope though because I live in the center of town and there is a lot of light polution here. So I get my astronomy fix by checking all of the main astronomy and NASA sites and reading about the latest research that comes out.

#5

I dont have a telescope, however I do have the computer astromony software Starry Night. Its pretty robust and has alot of awesome calculations built in plus it can live update to keep the sky very accurate. Its like a timeless virtual 3D map of the universe. I would really recomend it for anyone who wants to start getting into astronomy.

#6

Well I figured out how to take it apart, but I accidently removed the screws that adjust the tilt of the lens. Consequently, I spent two hour trying to adjust them just right, until I realized I could use the dirt inside the screw to measure the depth I needed them tightened.

Interestingly, when I usually introduce someone to astronomy for the first time, I hear “hey, it doesn’t look like that in the pictures.” That is because most astronomy photos you see are usually enhanced with extra color, or say adding glare to a star.

An interesting site that some people might be interested in is the Hubble Telescope website: http://hubblesite.org/.

They have some cool stuff there, like trivia and photos.

#7

waves

Me! I’ve always been interested in astronomy since I was a kid- unfortunately I’m the only one of my kind I know where I live. :frowning: My parents bought me a telescope for my 16th birthday (geek girl’s dream, yeah!) and also to celebrate my getting into college. It was a very basic terrestrial telescope (unlike yours, you lucky guy!), but I got to see planetary and lunar details. I’m sure you can relate to getting that indescribable feeling of seeing space objects with your own eyes, not images from TV, or print.

Our house was broken into a couple years ago and they took my telescope (I didn’t cry for my lost stuff, but my heart broke when I saw the lens cap - the only thing they left behind). When I got to the States my cousin got me a new one to take home. Since it was fragile equipment, I had to bring it as carry-on. Even with the obvious Mead telescope packaging, I had some interesting moments at the international and domestic airports. :slight_smile: Even on the plane the flight attendant thought it was a rifle :rolleyes:

ANYWAY, yes. Sorry for the long intro - I love astronomy.

#8

Wow, that’s the first time I ever heard of someone stealing a telescope, but I am glad to hear you got a replacement.

I absolutely know what you mean about seeing space objects with our own eyes. I still get this incredible sense of wonder every time I look through a telescope.

#9

Yep. Breathtaking, huh?

Late in 2001, the Leonid meteor shower was forecasted to be one of the best in recorded history. I stayed up late, got a blanket and laid outside our terrace till six in the morning. I took a pad paper out with me to count out how many shooting stars I saw that night. The meteor shower was awesome, some falling so close you can imagine they were fireworks falling directly overhead. They were coming down from everywhere. When got down for breakfast that morning (groggy!), I counted about 200 sightings.

200 wishes!

#10

Hello!

I too am into astronomy and Lubbock is a good place to view! Here is my telescope:

#11

Slight thread-jack, but if you like astronomy you should really check out the podcast from astronomycast.com.

Years ago my therapist asked me what I would do with my time if I had so much money I would never have to worry about money again. Hands down, I would be an astrophysicist. I assume having that much money means I can take and retake all of those classes until it finally sinks in.

#12

lol thats my school’s telescope. I’m now head of my school’s Astronomy club, which is kinda bad b/c i dont know much…of anything:o. If any of you know sites with lots of into, I’d be greatly appreciated.

#13

So i jsut moved out into a pretty rural area. I have a street light across the street but the light pollution in my area is not to bad. I have always wanted a telescope. I was wondering if i can get some suggestions on some reasonably priced scopes.

#14

If you can tell me the price range you are looking at, I might be able to give a few suggestions. However, off the top of my head I would suggest the something from the same line I use, the odyssey series. Here is some more information on them (http://www.telescopebluebook.com/reflector/coulter.htm). I recommend the Odysey 8, but as you see in the link, they were bought out and quality suffered since 97. HOWEVER, you can likely find one from the late 80s or early 90s very cheap if you look around, and they are great. Bulky, but effective and sturdy.

#15

Lucky, I’ve wanted to ask someone familiar with this type of telescope for awhile…how the hell do you stay tracked on a particular object with that mount ?? It looks (to someone with an equatorial-mount tele) like it would be a horror show.

#16

I jsut found a great buying guide at Space.com. He tells you what you need and the low down on everything for a first time buyer. Its a pretty well written article

Here is thelink

#17

If you mean how I move it around when it only looks like it would turn up and down, the mount has two swivels built into the base so I can get full spherical motion. For tracking its primitive but effective. I have a telrad tracking scope mounted to the top that is very precise despite its simplicity. Fine tuning it was a pain though. I am usually not observing an object for a long enough amount of time for it to matter.

Good luck with your search Lister. You should consider getting some colored filters too. One that I enjoy, that I thought seemed stupid at the time, is my sun filter so I can track sunspots. I made it myself, so it was very cheap, and if you don’t want to buy one commercially, any serious astronomers you know in your area can probably help you out.Though don’t try it on your own if you don’t know what you are doing—you could put your eye out.

#18

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy. To celebrate it there is a web site:

http://365daysofastronomy.org/

And a new daily podcast for it on iTunes that you can subscribe to now!

#19

I am in deep covet for this telescope:

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=overstock_sale/~product_id=09826

Help me Obi-wan! You’re my only hope!