[Chaos-l] New to Chaos

[Mark South]

Here's the email I sent recently:

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 and own  
the Orion Scenix (10x50s).   A book called "Astronomy Hacks" also  
recommends these binos for the best combo of price and quality.     
"Astro Hacks" is a great intermediate level book.

Copy & Paste this link for the binos:

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/ 
~category_id=binocular_standard/~pcategory=binoculars/ 
~product_id=09333/~sSearchSession=dc026377-3474-49e0-b11a-d236dbfaa75f

However, some folks want to go straight to a scope...

	b.  Telescope.  I own and recommend for beginners the Orion Skyquest  
XT6.  (Glen Chapel from Astronomy Magazine also makes this  
recommendation).  This scope is a quality instrument in regard to  
aperture and price.   Even better is the XT6, but starting out you  
should consider how much you have lug out there.

Copy and paste this link:
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).


Hope this helps!
Mark South

On Mar 10, 2009, at 11:51 AM, Matt Lochansky wrote:

>
> Hi - I heard about Chaos from a colleague and excited to get more  
> into astronomy.  Sent in my membership dues last week, so I should  
> be a member soon.  I've been interested in Astronomy for many, many  
> yerars, but only observing fairly regularly for the past 6 months  
> since borrowing a scope from my brother - looking to buy my own  
> soon.  I live under halfway dark skies in near Creedmoor, NC.
>
> I understand there is a star party at Pettigrew later this month...  
> I was interested in attending, (and possibly camping out) so if I  
> can get some more information, that would be appreciated!
>
> Looking forward to meeting some of you -
>
> -Matt
> _______________________________________________
> Chaos-l mailing list
> Chaos-l at rtpnet.org
> http://rtpnet.org/mailman/listinfo/chaos-l

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