[Chaos-l] Hello all

[Mark South]

Hi Miles,
I highly recommend reading "Starting Right" by Jon Stewart-Taylor (a  
CHAOS member).  It's a well written good start to observing.
CLICK HERE FOR "STARTING RIGHT"

A more expensive book but really great in getting started with bino  
and scope recommendations is The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (3rd  
Ed.)    You may find this at our local Barnes and Noble.   It has tons  
of pictures of scopes and information.   However, the best way to  
learn stuff is from members in an astro club like CHAOS.

Another great book once you get out there is Turn Left @ Orion.     
This book will teach you how to find stuff with your scope.

My personal preferences for starting out:
1.  Get a cheap planisphere star map.
2.  Consider binoculars or a telescope (but only after looking a other  
scopes from folks in CHAOS to help you decide)

	a.  Binoculars are the preferred way to start.  I recommend the Orion  
Scenix (10x50s).   However, some folks want to go straight to a scope...
	b.  Telescope.  I recommend for beginners the Orion Skyquest XT6.    
This scope is a quality instrument in regard to aperture and price.
click here:
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=dobsonians/ 
~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=08942
3.  Go to a  CHAOS at observing session to learn about which scope you  
prefer and learn to starhop (find objects without a computer).
  The telescope clinic at the Planetarium is probably one of the best  
ways to know what the different kinds of scopes are out there.

Hope this helps!
Mark South





On Mar 2, 2009, at 2:48 PM, Robert Nielsen wrote:

> Miles,
>
> Just listen to this listserve ... and you'll find out about most (if  
> not all) of the observing sessions we have. Right now there will be  
> a lull in observing, not because of the snow (although the clouds  
> are annoying) but more because we are in the part of the month where  
> the moon is getting brighter and in the sky for more of the night.  
> The shine from the moon "washes out" the contrast in the sky ... and  
> keeps us from seeing some of the more dim objects. Of course, the  
> lunar observers in our club are happy when the moon is up!
>
> But the weekend around 3/21 and the following weekend around 3/28  
> will be when we pick times to go out. On the weekend of the 28th, a  
> bunch of us are going to Pettigrew State Park in the eastern part of  
> the state for camping and extremely dark skies and you are welcome  
> to join us if you want to make the trip. And I'm sure there will be  
> things closer in the last couple weeks of the month.
>
> There is also a telescope clinic at the Morehead Planetarium  
> 3/14 ... if you are interested in seeing a bunch of different types  
> of scopes. Weather permitting, we will observe out in front of the  
> planetarium ... which is bad for light pollution, but we'll see some  
> stuff.
>
> Welcome to the group!
> Robert
>
> Travis, Miles (Cont, ARL/ADO) wrote:
>>
>> Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
>>
>> Caveats: FOUO
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I just subscribed to the chaos list and I wanted I wanted to  
>> introduce myself and ask a couple questions.
>>
>> I’m a complete observing novice, but I’ve been interested for a  
>> long time in learning more. Last week, I went out into the country  
>> and tried to find Lulin with a pair of binoculars (I was maybe  
>> successful, though it was really dim), and I had enough fun to  
>> motivate me to search out a club in the area. I’m especially  
>> interested in eventually doing some astronomical photography also.
>>
>> I also want to buy a telescope, and I’m interested in learning  
>> about the pros and cons of different types/features/price levels.
>>
>> I’ve been to the Chaos website, but it looks fairly out of date, so  
>> I was wondering if you guys still meet regularly, and if so, when  
>> and where. Also, do you have any planned observing events where I  
>> could tag along?
>>
>> Miles
>>
>> Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
>>
>> Caveats: FOUO
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> Chaos-l at rtpnet.org
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>>
>
>
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