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General Astronomy >> Beginners Forum
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AstroBaby
member


Reged: 02/11/13

Loc: Fairhope, Al
Greetings from an extreme beginner
      #5680404 - 02/14/13 11:20 PM
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Hello All! My name is Donna & I reside in the lovely laid back city of Fairhope Alabama. The city slogan is "A nice little drinking town with a fishing problem!". LOL Anyway I am the epitome of novice or newbie when it comes to astronomy but I'm working on it. Although we have always loved documentaries about astronomy or space or science in general I was surprised when my husband traded one of his kayaks for an 8" Skywatcher for me last year. Then a few weeks ago he started talking about a bigger scope and today on Valentines Day we received my 12" Lightbridge!! (He stressed all day because FedEx was late!)
Everything was great until we got it outside and tried to view with the 2" eyepiece it came with. Couldn't get it to focus at all. The 1.25's we had worked ok so I did get some great viewing in but I was disappointed that the 2" with its better fov wasn't focusing. Googling the problem offered the solution of loosening the tightening knob on the focuser because it tends to get in the way so we will try that tomorrow. And I do have a better 2" eyepiece on the way so am anticipating more wonders! Any and all advise is appreciated and desired! I'm just happy to be a part of the astronomy community!

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TexasRed
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 05/17/11

Loc: East Texas
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680416 - 02/14/13 11:27 PM
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Welcome to Cloudy Nights, Donna! Those are some big hunks of glass for a beginner! Tell us more about your eyepieces, and we'll be only too happy to make suggestions to upgrade or add to them.

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kfiscus
scholastic sledgehammer
*****

Reged: 07/09/12

Loc: Albert Lea, MN, USA
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680417 - 02/14/13 11:29 PM
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No advice- just a sincere "Welcome!".

Your husband sounds like a keeper. (Mandatory fishing reference...)

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lamplight
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 09/18/12

Loc: west central MA, U.S.
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: kfiscus]
      #5680429 - 02/14/13 11:34 PM
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Hey Donna welcome. One of my favorite bands is from your state and playing here in march. Very excited, third row. Seats.. Um lightbridge 16" yikes?! I don't have one but .. Welcome!

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AstroBaby
member


Reged: 02/11/13

Loc: Fairhope, Al
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: kfiscus]
      #5680435 - 02/14/13 11:40 PM
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Well thanks for the swift welcome guys! The eyepiece that came with the 12" scope was a Meade 26mm QX wide angle. The 1.25's that came with the 8" are a 10mm & a 25 but they are only 50 degree fov. I have a 100 degree 20mm on the way.

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AstroBaby
member


Reged: 02/11/13

Loc: Fairhope, Al
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680436 - 02/14/13 11:42 PM
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and what band lamplight?

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AstroBaby
member


Reged: 02/11/13

Loc: Fairhope, Al
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680438 - 02/14/13 11:43 PM
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oh and kfiscus yes fishing is mandatory here lol

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AstroBaby
member


Reged: 02/11/13

Loc: Fairhope, Al
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680442 - 02/14/13 11:45 PM
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oh and no lamplight its a 12" not a 16"!! I wish!!

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Agatha
professor emeritus


Reged: 06/04/12

Loc: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680443 - 02/14/13 11:45 PM
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Hi Donna,

Welcome to Cloudy Nights. This is a great place with lots of very helpful and knowledgable people.

Enjoy that new 12" Lightbridge.

Best, Linda B.

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AstroBaby
member


Reged: 02/11/13

Loc: Fairhope, Al
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: Agatha]
      #5680446 - 02/14/13 11:48 PM
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Much thanks! The more I learn the more amazing it is!!

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AstroBaby
member


Reged: 02/11/13

Loc: Fairhope, Al
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: lamplight]
      #5680450 - 02/14/13 11:51 PM
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Which band is that? And where are you?

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CosmoSat
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 07/24/09

Loc: India
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680467 - 02/15/13 12:12 AM
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Quote:

I have a 100 degree 20mm on the way.



Hi,

Thats the best choice in the 2" eyepiece class u hve made for a f/5 telescope. An accessory you would like to consider for the eyepiece would be the 2X apochromatic ED Barlow which can also be used as a 1.5x.

Clear Skies!

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AstroBaby
member


Reged: 02/11/13

Loc: Fairhope, Al
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680471 - 02/15/13 12:14 AM
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Well the more I learn the more I see that I don't know. The terminology? Ummm what? I know that Orion is my favorite constellations but it's so easy to spot right? So the nebula are easy as well. And Jupiter has been so available since I got my 8". It's so bright it's almost like the moon! Capella is my favorite star because of its colors and it's the name of a favorite kayak of ours I don't have a good viewing place yet though. Too much light pollution here at home.

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AstroBaby
member


Reged: 02/11/13

Loc: Fairhope, Al
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: CosmoSat]
      #5680473 - 02/15/13 12:15 AM
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Thanks I was wondering about the barlows

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newtoskies
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 07/15/12

Loc: SE Ma.
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680497 - 02/15/13 12:41 AM
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Hi and welcome to CN Donna. Wow an 8 and 12", very cool.

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Gert K A
super member


Reged: 07/16/12

Loc: Copenhagen, Denmark
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5680782 - 02/15/13 07:35 AM
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Hi Donna Welcome to CN
No advice from here ether (except maybe a +1 on the Barlow, anyone should have a decent one)

You got some nice gear there and I’m sure you will have a lot of fun with that
and you already got the best accessory of all, your husband, the fact that you
got someone to enjoy the night sky with makes it that much better.

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woolbrig
super member


Reged: 02/01/13

Loc: Bethalto, Illinois
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: Gert K A]
      #5680878 - 02/15/13 08:52 AM
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Hi Donna, another newbe here. Welcome to CN. I had my first night with a telescope last night!

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csrlice12
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 05/22/12

Loc: Denver, CO
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: woolbrig]
      #5680894 - 02/15/13 08:59 AM
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Don't forget collimation equipment. That scope will require frequent and accurate collimation....and once it is...it's gonna give some fantastic views. Congrats!

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kansas skies
sage


Reged: 12/02/12

Loc: Kansas, USA
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: AstroBaby]
      #5681305 - 02/15/13 12:10 PM
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Welcome to the CN forums, Donna. There's so much to learn and the people here are fantastic!

Bill

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kenrenard
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 12/13/12

Loc: Dunmore, PA
Re: Greetings from an extreme beginner new [Re: csrlice12]
      #5681375 - 02/15/13 12:40 PM
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Quote:

Don't forget collimation equipment. That scope will require frequent and accurate collimation....and once it is...it's gonna give some fantastic views. Congrats!



Welcome to Cloudy Nights

I think that will be your most important lesson as is mentioned above. With any newtonian collimation is more important than any eyepiece.

I would start with this article from Gary Seronick. He does a good job or getting a beginner started and I think this will help.

http://www.garyseronik.com/?q=node/169

Here is also a more in depth discussion by some of the collimation experts here. This may help if you get into trouble.

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=reflector...

Do you have a collimation cap, cheshire, or a laser?

Don't get to frustrated or over think collimation. But once you master it, you will only spend a minute or two and have perfect views.

Ken

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