37 replies to this topic

[nitegeezer]

Please remember that guests can also read these posts, so don't be too specific about your location or provide other information you don't want the whole world to see.  One may want to PM other members in your area and meet at a public location.

[Thengine]

Hi, I'm a newbie from Troy, MI. I am also part of the warren astronomical club.

[TSSClay]

Hi Guys,

 

I am from Manchester MI and I belong to the University Lowbrows and the FAAC.

 

Clay

[SnowLeopard702]

Hey all! I'm up in Clarkston and we treat our apartment complex neighbors to views of the skies whenever it's clear.
We're trying to schedule something more formal with the management company for our first hosted outreach event! Might need help lol

[MawkHawk]

Hey all! I'm up in Clarkston and we treat our apartment complex neighbors to views of the skies whenever it's clear.
We're trying to schedule something more formal with the management company for our first hosted outreach event! Might need help lol

Hey, Leopard. I'm from Rochester Hills. I'm with Seven Ponds Astronomy Club near Dryden. We're not far from you. The club is free to join. Please check us out if you're interested in a club.

[Jond105]

Hello. Newbie from just north of Detroit

[astrochef]

Hello. Newbie from just north of Detroit

Welcome neighbor (globally speaking).  I'm a little north of Ann Arbor.  Newbie to Cloudy Nights or newbie to Astronomy?

[Jond105]

Hello. Newbie from just north of Detroit

Welcome neighbor (globally speaking). I'm a little north of Ann Arbor. Newbie to Cloudy Nights or newbie to Astronomy?

Newbie to both you could say. Just received my first scope after buying my wife one for Christmas. After I bought hers I pretty much researched and reviewed til picking out mine

Edited by Jond105, 03 March 2018 - 03:03 AM.

[astrochef]

Nice, I can't seem to get my wife interested.  She just settles for some quick peeks if I have the kids out with me. 

I don't know if you've looked into it yet but there are several clubs in the area.  I joined the Ford Amateur Astronomers Club (FAAC) out of Dearborn.   We do a number of events out at Island Lake State Park.  Spring's coming, or so I'm told

[Chardo]

Hi! I'm in Royal Oak. I'm a member of FAAC. KIND of a newbie to astronomy but figuring it out as I go.
Happy to help with any outreach ,star party or...
Let me know if I am help.
To hard

[CosmoNewt]

Brighton. I am a newbie at this, both to astronomy and CN. My goals are to attend events held by the University lowbrows and the events at Island Lake.

[Obrion]

Hello i am from the SE michigan (New Boston), been interested in astronomy for a while but never really dove into it as a hobby outside of enjoying the night sky with some binoculars. Looking forward to showing up to some outreach events.

 

Thanks,

[Chardo]

Hello i am from the SE michigan (New Boston), been interested in astronomy for a while but never really dove into it as a hobby outside of enjoying the night sky with some binoculars. Looking forward to showing up to some outreach events.

 

Thanks,

Hi Obrion  ,

There are a lot of clubs in the area. Ford Amateur Astronomy Club meets  in Dearborn and has lots of events. Hope to see you at some . The next is February 9th at Island Lakes Recreation area.

[Davey 8V71]

Hi all!! Let's hear it for the Adrian area! Had a neat job some years back; servicing construction equipment at night... often out in the boonies... away from lights. Was able to see / experience a lot of night sky events / occurrences. Have usually been busy enough working to keep me from getting as deep into astronomy as I would like to. Built an 8 inch F-8.5 Newtonian around a mirror purchased from an ATM in Arizona years ago. It rides an old Astrola drive set atop a pier made from ductile water main line in the back yard.

 

  Approaching retirement age, I hope to be able to pick up Astronomy as a hobby again. We shall see....

 

Clear Skies to all!!

 

Dave

[Mountaineer370]

Dave, welcome to CN!  If you're in Adrian, depending on how close to town you are, maybe your skies are not too bad anyway, but do you know about the Lake Hudson Dark Sky Preserve?  I think it's probably not too far of a drive for you.  I haven't actually been there yet, but I hear people in my club (FAAC) talking about it.

 

https://www.visitlen...recreation-area

[Davey 8V71]

Mountaineer370;

 

  Ah, yes. The Dark Sky Preserve was a push by Wes Boyd (now deceased) as part of ASLC; Astronomical Society Of Lenawee County (long gone). I haven't been there in years. The back yard works O.K. for me. My main scope sits on a pier of six inch ductile iron water main sunk in the ground several feet. I am kinda tied to home....

 

  Depending on where you are from, Lake Hudson might seem like "I've died and gone to Heaven!!" It seems there was a parking lot not too far from the entrance for a picnic pavilion area that worked well for Messier marathons back in the 90's. Open skies, not a lot of nearby city lighting skyglow.... well suited for astronomy. Depending on the weather, remember it IS Michigan... mosquitoes and such. Plan accordingly, Jackson or Adrian are a hike if "Oh crap!! I forgot_____" comes up. Not sure when Hudson business establishments call it a day -vs- when you figure out what you left at home...

 

 Thank you for stirring up some delightful memories on a quick stroll down memory lane!!

 

Be Well

 

Dave

[dwyer2bp]

Hi Everyone,

 

New to astronomy and in West Bloomfield. Just picked up my first telescope after a long indecisive search process...finally decided to just pick something and run with it (see signature).

 

Definitely looking for good pointers for viewing in light polluted SE Michigan. I've got some basic books, planisphere etc, using Stellarium when I can.

 

My current challenge: How do I know if my scope is collimated well?

 

Thanks!

 

BD

[Jond105]

Hi Everyone,

 

New to astronomy and in West Bloomfield. Just picked up my first telescope after a long indecisive search process...finally decided to just pick something and run with it (see signature).

 

Definitely looking for good pointers for viewing in light polluted SE Michigan. I've got some basic books, planisphere etc, using Stellarium when I can.

 

My current challenge: How do I know if my scope is collimated well?

 

Thanks!

 

BD

 

Hey BD, Madison Heights here. A good budget tool to pick up is a Celestron Sight tube Cheshire combo tool. It really helps getting the Collimation good. Then maybe a a little more expensive, but very good hotech laser collimator. Little pricey, but better than the budget ones. Also tons of clubs in the area to join. Light pollution in Oakland county is terrible, but still a ton to view

[Mountaineer370]

Hi Everyone,

 

New to astronomy and in West Bloomfield. Just picked up my first telescope after a long indecisive search process...finally decided to just pick something and run with it (see signature).

 

Definitely looking for good pointers for viewing in light polluted SE Michigan. I've got some basic books, planisphere etc, using Stellarium when I can.

 

My current challenge: How do I know if my scope is collimated well?

 

Thanks!

 

BD

Hello and welcome!  It's kind of short notice, but the Ford Amateur Astronomy Club (FAAC) is having a Beginners' Night this weekend at Island Lake State Rec. Area (near Brighton, not too far from you, I would think).  It was supposed to be Saturday, but they are in the process of probably changing it to Friday (tomorrow), due to weather considerations.  Look for more info on their FB page or website, fordastronomyclub.com.  If you miss this one, they have them every month, and they welcome beginners.  (You don't have to be a member of the club.)  It's the place to go for hands-on help with your equipment.

[BJS]

Hi from Toledo!
Member of Toledo Astronomical Association.
We observe at Hudson Lake also. Hope to run into some of you there this summer.

[vinodlingamsetty]

Hi this is Vinod! new to astrophotography, looking for nice and safe spots for capturing milkyway near Detroit area. So far heard of Lake Hudson Recreation Area and Port Austin but visited neither of them. waiting for right night and climate

[FZ9340]

Hi, I’m Jeff from Sylvania, OH, just south of the Michigan line near Toledo. I participated in some Toledo Astronomical Association events a few years ago and am just getting back involved in astronomy after some uncooperative work schedules. I’m very interested in checking out Lake Hudson at some point.

[Chardo]

Hey Jeff welcome to Cloudy Nights. I used to work in Sylvaina. I belong to the Ford Amateur Astronomy Club. We do a lot of events throughout the year most at Islands Lakes Recreation area. Quite a drive from Sylvania. The one event you should not miss is Astronomy at the Beach. This is the largest astronomy outreach I’ve been to. It is organized by GLAAC the Great Lakes Association of Astronomy Clubs. Here’s a link

https://www.glaac.or...y-at-the-beach/
Try to make it to this one!

[Doug McIntosh]

If you guys get to the U.P. look me up.  I use to live in Ann Arbor.  Have really dark skies in the backyard.  Live in Dollar Bay, 5 miles from Houghton (Michigan Tech Area)

[Chardo]

Thanks Doug, that’s a generous offer. We might take you up on that next time over the bridge.
Regards
Chardo

If you guys get to the U.P. look me up. I use to live in Ann Arbor. Have really dark skies in the backyard. Live in Dollar Bay, 5 miles from Houghton (Michigan Tech Area)