Newbie here, just thought I'd introduce myself.

[kdog72]

Hi there, My name is Kevin, I'm 34, from South Jersey. I've been interested in astronomy since, well, forever. I'm working on getting my first telescope. (I see the sticky about getting a first scope and will root through it in a bit.) I'm probably going to start out with something small and cheap. I saw this Celestron C65 "mini mak" 30x-90x spotting scope for a measly $58 over at opticsplanet.net. I've also seen these insane rigs people are building themselves - crazy!<br /><br />Anyway, just thought I'd say hi. I got a lot of readin' to do!<br />Does anyone know of any astronomy clubs in South Jersey?

 

[nexius]

Welcome! to the "Uplink" I am Nexius (the space newb)<br /><br /> I know MetorWayne is in jersey but dont know the details.

 

[Boris_Badenov]

Welcome to SDC. <br /> Definitely talk to MeteorWayne. <br /> Also Google "Astronomy Clubs" in your area. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Welcome to SDC.<br />I'm with the NJAA in Voorhees State Park in Hunterdon County..too bad it's not Voorhees, since that's much closer. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> We're pretty much closed to the public in the winter, but if you're ever going to be up here, drop me a note and I can show you the scope collection, including our 26 inch.<br /><br />One place to look is here: United Astronomy Clubs of NJ <br /><br />I see clubs in Princeton, Vineland, Toms River, etc.<br />Depending on how close you are to the PA border, I've given lectures at the LVAA in Allentown, and the DVAA near Norristown.<br />So there's plenty around. <br /><br />Here's a pic of our observatory <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[kdog72]

Thanks for the info. There's supposedly one in Millville, but they meet in Cape May for some reason. I'll have to contact them and find out whats up. All I have now is a pair of 10x25 compact binoculars. Saturn will be out this evening when I get home from work at around 12:30 (working 4-12s' this week) so I'll see if I can't catch a glimpse before I go to bed. <br /><br />I downloaded this really neat FREE program called Stellarium that does a pretty good job of showing me where things are in the sky. I found the Maia Nebula and M31 with just my bino's with that proggie. Anyway, thanks for the help guys! Hope to chat with you somemore!

 

[witgenestone]

Greetings newb! I am a rock <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[kdog72]

I thought about getting this combo as a start:<br /><br />Celestron C65 30-90x "mini-mak" scope. Narrow FOV, but for the price, hey...<br /><br />http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-c65-mini-mak-spotting-scope.html<br /><br />Celestron PowerSeeker 127 EQ Newtonian. Looks like a good starter reflector. <br /><br />http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-powerseeker-127eq.html<br /><br /><br />I really like Cassies' though, any recommendations for them? I see some nice Mak-Cassies' at Orions' site. Suggestions would be aprecciated. I'm willing to go up to $300-ish for my first decent scope.<br /><br />

 

[six_strings]

Welcome to SDC! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Well... To be honest, an sorry to burst your bubble so to speak... But you prolly won't be satisfied with either of those :/<br /><br />If you really want to jump in with a real telescope, go for a dob and spend your money on optics instead of electronics. A common mistake for beginners.<br /><br />It kinna depends how serious you are? Those cheaper scopes will prolly frustrate you to the point you may just give up on astronomy... When it comes to optics you pretty much get what you pay for. If you are sure you want to pursue it seriously save up an get a good scope to start with. Sorry *shrug* <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[six_strings]

Among the other useful information you will find in these forums, check HERE as another great guide<br /><br />and HERE Gives a nice overview on astrophotography and it's considerations. If you ever want to pursue it that far <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

I agree 100%<br />If you're in that price range (I'd go $100 higher) a dob will give you the most bang for the buck.<br />Anything else wastes too much money on mount or electronics, and you will regret the loss in optics. REALLY regret it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[kdog72]

Hmmm, I really like that 6" dob. I'd like the have the 12" even more! LOL!

 

[MeteorWayne]

Well, 12"ers are great, but they are getting to be in the "big project to observe" class.<br />With a 6 or 8 inch dob, I can plop it on the front lawn at sunset, and once it cools down I'm observing. Or I can load it in the car and be driving to a dark sky site in 10 minutes.<br /><br />With a 12 inch, it's probably 2 or three trips to the car, IF it fits. (That is the reason I have a minivan, so I can have everything for meteor observing, and room for a scope besides, whenever needed.) The views are great though. One guy at the observatory has an 18 inch, but it's a project to set it up and take it down. <br /><br />That's what I like about the 6 or 8 inch dob for a first scope. You can see a lot and it's easy enough to use, that it will get used a lot.<br />After all, what good is a great toy if it's a pain to use.<br />If after you've had a small dob for a while you get aperture fever, well then at least you'll know what you'll be getting into, and will underrstand why you want it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[kdog72]

Good points. That 6" dob seems like a good bang for the buck scope. I think thats' what I'll aim for. <br /><br />Although they seem to have updated this one:<br /><br />http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=101776&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=8&iProductID=101776<br /><br />However, that 6" is mighty tempting... C'mon Christmas!