Suuuuper Moon!!!

[theJesus]

I prefer the naked eye. Just 'cause I like the sound of it.

[Screaming Beaver]

stayed cloudy

[de.das.dude]

is it me or does the word "apogee" sound cute and shit

[_JP_]

Originally Posted by de.das.dude

cute and shit

That combo... :\

[theJesus]

Originally Posted by de.das.dude

is it me or does the word "apogee" sound cute and shit

Just you

[m1dg3t]

Originally Posted by theJesus

Were you smoking?

Irrelevant, but yes. I am a MMJ user.

Originally Posted by twilyth

If you were trolling me. Congrats. Very well done.

If not, that sounds very, very nice and I'm extremely envious. It's been overcast for day's here - I think. It was last night and prior to that it had rained for a few days. So once again I was snaked on seeing some interesting astronomy.

A simple 8x30mm binoculars is a good investment for such things. The magnification is low enough that you don't need a tripod. However for sky watching, go for a narrow field of view. Most bino's try to sell you on an ultra wide FOV, but I think for seeing some thing in night sky you want something with a more narrow focus.

If i was trolling i wouldn't have spent a few hours of my day looking at these and trying to figure out what is what

http://www.canadiantelescopes.com/Sh...O-Computerized

Do you have any experience with telescopes twil? I'm not interested in binos as i want to be able to capture what i'm looking at, that way i don't get called a nut! LOL I think the Nexstar 5se is decent as it allows connection to a DSLR, which i don't yet have but it's only $$$ anyways, the SkyProdigy 130 can capture/store but can not transfer/dwnld images, it uses them for reference only

I like the fact they're digital so i can easily set up to view known celestial bodies but not sure how manual adjusting would be? I'm in suburban area but i have a nice spot in the back part of my building where i can set up and view as long as i like, last night we were planted on a large hydro box looking out and then progressively up untill we had to move to a different spot to keep in view The moon travels east > west (obviously) but we were looking south > north

It was crystal clear skies in my part of town last night and i was/am not exaggerating one bit, i did that in my previous post when i was on the moon looking back at earth

I'm trying to make sense of that page but i have no experience what so ever, they're canadian and have free shipping so, yeah

I'm guessing it would be wise to pick up some lenses/filters and maybe the GPS attachment, but first the lenses/filters so i can look at the sun and very bright stars/cluster/galaxies/etc whatever lol

[Hate_Camel]

I didn't notice anything different last night I've seen it larger before.

[twilyth]

Originally Posted by m1dg3t

http://www.canadiantelescopes.com/Sh...O-Computerized

Do you have any experience with telescopes twil?

I did do some research about a year ago. The best consumer brands are Meade and Celestron. Also, don't get a refracting telescope since different wavelengths of light will start to get split out and you get a prism-like effect.

You want a reflecting scope or one that is a hybrid.

Your real choice will come down to 1) features, 2) portability, 3) light gathering ability. If you can plant the scope someplace and leave it there, that let's you go with something big and heavy but which oddly enough might be cheaper for the mirror diameter than say a high-end cassegrain.

I would start with something entry level, maybe a 4 inch reflector or something. Get to know what you care about and what you don't and then go from there.

You don't realize how lucky you are living where you do. You probably have little or no light pollution. Down here, even on a clear night, I see only the very brightest stars. If I took a couple of hours, I could probably count them all. Would you care to give that a try? LOL!!!

[theJesus]

Originally Posted by Odameyer

I didn't notice anything different last night I've seen it larger before.

that's what she said

[razaron]

Originally Posted by theJesus

that's what she said

[Bundy]

I got our telescope out last night for a look but TBH I think it would be better at another time. Even with a moon filter, it way too bright to look at for more than 30 seconds at a time. Quite a spectacular view though.

[m1dg3t]

Originally Posted by twilyth

I did do some research about a year ago. The best consumer brands are Meade and Celestron. Also, don't get a refracting telescope since different wavelengths of light will start to get split out and you get a prism-like effect.

You want a reflecting scope or one that is a hybrid.

Your real choice will come down to 1) features, 2) portability, 3) light gathering ability. If you can plant the scope someplace and leave it there, that let's you go with something big and heavy but which oddly enough might be cheaper for the mirror diameter than say a high-end cassegrain.

I would start with something entry level, maybe a 4 inch reflector or something. Get to know what you care about and what you don't and then go from there.

You don't realize how lucky you are living where you do. You probably have little or no light pollution. Down here, even on a clear night, I see only the very brightest stars. If I took a couple of hours, I could probably count them all. Would you care to give that a try? LOL!!!

Thank's

I don't want to buy something that will need upgrading in a year or 2 so i'd rather spend a lil' extra to start and "grow" into the setup, with the digital feature it's pretty much idiot proof! So i'm pretty sure i can get used to it lol

Portability is a key factor for me at this point in time as i don't live in a house and i make trip's to the north with my dad to go hunting/fishing so it would be most excellent to bring the scope along

I would classify what i'm looking at as "entry level" seeing as there are home/personal setup's costing over $40k!

I think i'm deciding between the Celestron 5se & 6se, looking like good begginer scopes with lot's of option's/feature's and should allow me to grow without spending much extra

This is a map of my general location, i live right beside Chinguacousy Park and there are 2 "mountains" there (truthfully they are the remnant's of old landfill's that have been converted) which would make for excellent base's i think? There is definately wash out here but not as bad as NY/NJ that's for sure! You can see i'm about 30min out of Toronto and only about 15/20min from some "open" country, aka Caledon (north of Mayfield) http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&cp=...ed=0CDcQ8gEwAQ

Would be nice to get some sky shot's on the forum!

Edit: Bundy what kind of scope do you own?

[twilyth]

I didn't look at any of the features, but the 6se I would say is a no brainer just based on the bigger mirror.

I'm simplifying since I don't remember how to calculate the area of a parabolic surface (hangs head in shame). I just used area = pi*r^2.

So for the 5se you get an area of 19.63 sq. inches and for the 6se you get 28.27 sq. inches. That's an increase of 30% for a price increase of about 15%.

You'll appreciate the extra inches.

[m1dg3t]

Originally Posted by twilyth

You'll appreciate the extra inches.

That's what she said! LOL

I think i'm set then, just got to try and see if i can work a package deal on the scope and some accessories. Hopefully i can come in at less than $1500 for the kit

[Bundy]

Originally Posted by m1dg3t

Thank's

I don't want to buy something that will need upgrading in a year or 2 so i'd rather spend a lil' extra to start and "grow" into the setup, with the digital feature it's pretty much idiot proof! So i'm pretty sure i can get used to it lol

Portability is a key factor for me at this point in time as i don't live in a house and i make trip's to the north with my dad to go hunting/fishing so it would be most excellent to bring the scope along

I would classify what i'm looking at as "entry level" seeing as there are home/personal setup's costing over $40k!

I think i'm deciding between the Celestron 5se & 6se, looking like good begginer scopes with lot's of option's/feature's and should allow me to grow without spending much extra

This is a map of my general location, i live right beside Chinguacousy Park and there are 2 "mountains" there (truthfully they are the remnant's of old landfill's that have been converted) which would make for excellent base's i think? There is definately wash out here but not as bad as NY/NJ that's for sure! You can see i'm about 30min out of Toronto and only about 15/20min from some "open" country, aka Caledon (north of Mayfield) http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&cp=...ed=0CDcQ8gEwAQ

Would be nice to get some sky shot's on the forum!

Edit: Bundy what kind of scope do you own?

I have a Saxon 6" reflector on a dobsonian base. The base is simple to use but a PITA for high magnifications because the picture drifts so fast. I wasn't paying an extra $1000 for a good azimuth mount and a motor though.

Saxon is a rebrand sold here, I'm not sure of the equivalent elsewhere, it does a good job but it's not the hubble, thats for sure. I spent $500.

[theJesus]

The moon doesn't look big anymore :/

[m1dg3t]

Originally Posted by Bundy

I have a Saxon 6" reflector on a dobsonian base. The base is simple to use but a PITA for high magnifications because the picture drifts so fast. I wasn't paying an extra $1000 for a good azimuth mount and a motor though.

Saxon is a rebrand sold here, I'm not sure of the equivalent elsewhere, it does a good job but it's not the hubble, thats for sure. I spent $500.

Thanks for replying Bundy I have no prior experience with telescopes at all so that's my main reason for looking at a "digital" model, i have come across many post's where people, n00bz like myself, got quickly discouraged and the scope either just sat unused or was sold at a loss as they were unable to enjoy what they offer From what i have come across so far dobsonian's are supposed to be excellent scopes just that they require manual setup/adjustment's which is good in a sense because you actually learn how to use the thing to navigate the cosmos! But i'm sometimes quickly discouraged when trying new thing's and would hate for that to happen because the sky is of great interest to me and i am finally financially able to get involved with observing so decided to start with something easy to use and portable. Eventually i would like to get something more advanced but i need my own property before i get into that so that's a ways off yet lol

Im hoping that with that scope i can learn a bit and enjoy the features of the software which will lead to me being more involved in observing

While i've been Googling i have come across some Aussie sites and man the 6se goes for almost DBL what we pay here in Canada! That really fucking suck's as i think it (lower prices) would get a lot more people interested in "Astronomy"/observing

Originally Posted by theJesus

The moon doesn't look big anymore :/

It's moving aways from us again, gonna have to wait untill next June or so if what i read is/was correct. If i even understand this correctly LOL

[Bundy]

Originally Posted by m1dg3t

Thanks for replying Bundy I have no prior experience with telescopes at all so that's my main reason for looking at a "digital" model, i have come across many post's where people, n00bz like myself, got quickly discouraged and the scope either just sat unused or was sold at a loss as they were unable to enjoy what they offer From what i have come across so far dobsonian's are supposed to be excellent scopes just that they require manual setup/adjustment's which is good in a sense because you actually learn how to use the thing to navigate the cosmos! But i'm sometimes quickly discouraged when trying new thing's and would hate for that to happen because the sky is of great interest to me and i am finally financially able to get involved with observing so decided to start with something easy to use and portable. Eventually i would like to get something more advanced but i need my own property before i get into that so that's a ways off yet lol

Im hoping that with that scope i can learn a bit and enjoy the features of the software which will lead to me being more involved in observing

While i've been Googling i have come across some Aussie sites and man the 6se goes for almost DBL what we pay here in Canada! That really fucking suck's as i think it (lower prices) would get a lot more people interested in "Astronomy"/observing



It's moving aways from us again, gonna have to wait untill next June or so if what i read is/was correct. If i even understand this correctly LOL

My best advice is to "dip your toe in the water", dont jump in. The opportunities for great viewing are limited, unless you are really in to it. I think thats where you are heading so I think you are on the right track.

[m1dg3t]

I don't know how to "dip a toe", i'm a head first all or nothing kind of guy! LOL

Scope purchase is momentarily on hold, going to read up a lil' more, by mid June i should have a better idea of what would best suit me and then i'll "pull the trigger"