Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 20:27:33
In reply to Re: advice about telescopes - Deneb, or anyone else? » JenStar, posted by Larry Hoover on June 1, 2005, at 17:59:43
> One of the best ways to find out what stuff is available is to join an astronomy club.
I agree with Larry here. :-) Most astronomy clubs will welcome people who are new to the hobby. You can see if you like the hobby before you actually buy anything. A lot of people see fancy colourful pics of galaxies and nebulas and think that you can see this in a telescope...but photographs are very different from naked eye viewing. First, you will *not* be able to see galaxies in colour. You may be surprised to know that the most colour you will see will come from the stars themselves. Arcturus and Antares are a very nice orangy colour...I love looking at Antares! Albireo is a really nice double star...it is blue and gold, very nice contrast. In astronomy, esp. naked-eye astronomy...one is gratful just to be able to see a deep space object like a galaxy, star cluster or nebula...usually with averted vision (not staring directly at the object). Most of the amazement and pleasure comes from knowledge of what one is actually seeing. Usually things will look like a "grey blob" to the untrained eye.
I'm still a novice at this astronomy stuff...I still have *much* to learn. It can be a very relaxing hobby...it doesn't have to involve great scientific knowledge or calculations or anything like that. :-) Mostly it is camping out under beautiful dark skies and just enjoying the heavens and sharing views with others. I wish I could take you to one of the outings...the group is a great friendly bunch...we like having midnight BBQs!...cuz we get so darn hungry observing all night!
poster:Deneb
thread:506401
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050525/msgs/506540.html