Backyard Astronomy

[Alex K]

To be honest, I don't feel at all tempted to get a fully automatic go-to thingy. Somehow, ever since I started stargazing, I wanted the sky to be a familiar place and know my way around it, not just get chauffeured around to the sites - I don't know whether that makes sense. If I look up at the sky on a clear night, having searched for all these objects myself gives me this kind of familiarity with it that I find very comforting.

[coldwx]

It makes perfect sense.  After stripping all the scopes and tech away, I want, and want my kids, to be able to tell others just by pointing, "Hey, that's M42 (or insert any other Messier object or planetary body) right there"

[Clueless Morgan]

I just found out there is a comet in the sky - a once in a lifetime, won't be seen again type comet - and was thinking of trying to see it sometime but it's been rainy and overcast here so much I'll have to wait. The peek viewing and its closest pass should be mid January.

[Jackalope]

I have several telescopes - an 80mm very portable refractor, 200mm Newtonian reflector, and a 250mm Schmidt-Cassegrain. The latter has go-to capability, though frankly, I have only rarely used it - but I do use the tracking capability. I used to have a 300mm reflector that I built myself, but it ended up being far too much of a production to travel with it so I sold the optics. Still have the mount and optical tube assembly. I could put optics in it easily if I ever had a permanent site for it.

Unfortunately, despite having a lifelong interest in amateur astronomy, I haven't had any of them out in a long long time. It's just too difficult for me to move my equipment with my physical limitations, so they've stayed in storage.

[StuW]

I used to be heavily into back yard astronomy and astrophotography (see my avatar pic). The best advice I can give is to join the Stargazers Lounge forum, the people on there are some of the world's best in all fields of the hobby.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[Cato]

I just found out there is a comet in the sky - a once in a lifetime, won't be seen again type comet - and was thinking of trying to see it sometime but it's been rainy and overcast here so much I'll have to wait. The peek viewing and its closest pass should be mid January.

I too will have a look; however, Hale-Bopp has likely ruined naked eye comet viewing for the remainder of my life.

[zebo-the-fat]

I recommend a good pair of binoculars to start with, learn your way around the sky, also look if there is an astronomy club near to you, you will get lots of help and advice and probably the chance to use (or drool over) equipment you can't afford.

[coldwx]

I know my way around somewhat but it has been awhile since I really delved into it.  The local astronomy club is the one putting on the viewing session tomorrow at the local science museum so we will see how that goes.  It should be fun and the forecast is for clear skies.