Townsville Astronomy Group

Hi there,

Just a quick post to say hi. Was hoping to meet some of you down at the Strand tonight, but wasn't aware it'd been called off (and wasn't till I was on my way with my daughter in tow that I looked skywards...).

When you do have your Strand Nights, were do you normally set up? Looked fairly bright everywhere, but behild the Picnic Bay SLSC looked quite dark (relatively).

Not an owner of a scope as yet, so look forward to some input when I do decide to purchase one (for my daughter of course).

Regards
Rob

Sorry Rob, but yes, was too cloudy. We may try again for tonight (Thur) but depends on the weather. I dont think I will go but Sue and Lex may. Sues number will be in her info at members area.
We usually try The Strand once per month, if weather Ok - not too cloudy or windy.
We set up down toward to Rockpool area, corner of mcKinley St/The Strand - alas, its pretty light, but we get a lot of people walking by and looking.
Are you able to keep a check on the website .... or email us per the site (can contact people per members).
We have monthly group meetings, but the next one is a camp over at Ravenswood, then back to our Donnington site in September,per threads on this website.
Lately we have been having an extra night, when there is no Moon, so maybe next weekend. Yhis is put up in the Forum.
Try and keep a check on the site,and post any queries, and welcome to TAG.

G'day Rob,

Welcome to the group. There are quite a few knowledgable members who are very willing to share their info and experience. You did the right thing by not buying a scope until you get to look in some to see what you like, and also to see what it's like, so you can make sure that you get one your daughter can manage.

If you don't mind me asking, how old is she?
Does she know what type of observing she likes? ie. planets, deep sky, double stars, moon, and then there is astrophotography?

It's not really inportant to know these things yet, but it is important to take these things into concideration when your deciding what type of scope you want. There are many types of scopes available, and each has advantages and disadvantages for certain types of observing.

Like I said, you are in the right place to have a look through a couple of different scopes and at some different types of objects and make informed decisions instead of guessing, so once again welcome and hope you and your daughter have lots of fun..... the journey is but beginning.

Thanks Liz & Rex,

Rex - my daughter's only 5, so she's still got some growing to do, but she's quite keen about being able to get her own scope from Santa (or earlier..). Currently she's happy to just lie on the front lawn and look up at the sky at night (she saw her first shooting star only the other week). Binoculars didn't work for her as she wasn't able to hold them steady enough.

So far I'm looking at something from Celestron's SLT series (either the 114 or the 130 - leaning towards the 130). My only real issue is the price premium that Aust companies charge for the scopes. Much cheaper to purchase from the US & ship here.

Liz - thanks for the heads up. Will try and make it down to the Strand next time around.

Regards
Rob

Hi Rob

Welcome to the great hobby of Astronomy

You've raised a common misconception here and that is that Aus companies are charging a premium which I am sorry to say simply isn't true. The profit margins made by suppliers on Astro Gear is surprisingly low and there are enough dealers to ensure that competition is quite fierce.

The issue simply comes down to consumer numbers (ie sales volume and therefore purchase volume) There just aren't enough consumers in Aus to allow dealers to justify sufficiently large purchase volumes from the manufacturers or their agents to qualify for the best possible prices. Its not hard to see if you take the population of Aus compared to the USA.

It may appear appealing to import direct from the USA but don't forget the exchange rate, freight cost, import duty, time, and of course warranty and after sales service. Personally I have brought some gear in from the USA direct but this has only been highly specialised equipment or accessories etc that just can't be had in Australia.

Even in the Aus marketplace there is a "Grey Market" area with some dealers handling seemingly cheap product that they are bringing in without manufacturer authority through various Asian brokers. Often the product is sub standard and always will be without manufacturers warranty support.

Food for thought?

For a first scope for a younger person such as your daughter I'd suggest a 6" Dob just for pure simplicity of use. Later the same scope can be remounted on an Equatorial mount if desired. Alternatively a smallish, say 80mm to 90mm refractor on an Alt Az would also make a good kids scope

Anyhow you are on the right track by hooking up with an Astronomy Group and getting to a few meetings and checking out some of the members scopes before you commit.

Regards

Vin

Gidday Rob,
Nic here, welcome to TAG I think the other members of the group aren't quite reading between the lines properly. I've got small kids myself and santa would have to be pretty generous to a 5 yr old for her to get a scope along those lines. I think the scope you're planning on getting is for you! Well done mate and like the others said have a look to see what you're in for before buying. Hope to see you at one of the viewings soon.
Clear skys Nic

Yep well if she's only 5, I think what nic is suggesting is the go. Atleast if you get something for you Rob, you can teach her as you go, and as she gets older she will already have some knowledge about how it all works. Then you can pass the first scope down to her and get a bigger better one for you. I think for value for money, the 6" Dobs as Vinnie suggested, is the best to learn on. Not sure what the scopes you mention go for but a GSO 6" Dobs can be picked up for around $350 to $400 + postage. I realise that may be a little more than you had planned to outlay, but as Nic said, atleast you will have a scope that you can get some enjoyment out of as well. The other thing is the Dobsonians are by far the easiest scope to use, and you get more arpeture (light collecting power)for your money. Anyway as stated by all, you really don't want to rush out and get anything until you have a look in a few and make an informed decision.

Sorry for dribbling on a bit......... (Rex wipes the dribble off his chin)

Nic - OK, Santa just might be thinking of me as well...

Vin - Price premium may not have been the best chice of words, but when the 130 SLT can be purchased for $370 plus say $200 postage (US$), that works out to be around $640 Aus (no import duty to worry about). Cheapest price for the same product in Oz is around $1000 delivered. Dobs aren't out of the equation though.

Take your point though around the warranty and after sales service. Definately a risk.

Will try my best to make it to one of the viewing nights - my daughter can't wait to look through a scope. Will be doing my best to pester everybody about the different scopes they have.

Regards
Rob

Just some thoughts

Nic I have seen plenty of kids in the 5 to 8 yo age group having a ball with a little Dob. Remember the EP on these scopes is only about 4ft off the ground at Zenith. Kids love discovery and doing there own thing, unfortunately they also have short attention spans so bouncing around the Moon and planets for an hour or so often fills a night of perceived wonder. Of course for Mums and Dads well the little Dob can literally be a pain in the neck, that's what chairs were invented for LOL

Rob if you want a scope for yourself primarily then I'm not sure that the smaller Nexstars are the answer, as you know getting to star party is a good idea. Meanwhile dig out that old binocular you have laying around somewhere and turn it skyward, or failing that buy a binocular. Pretty much all astronomers use binoculars a lot, if only for helping with object location, and you get a dual benefit as they are also cool for daytime use. Look for binoculars that have the magic number of multiples of 5. By that I mean 7x35 (where 35 divided by 7 = 5) 8x40 (8x42 is common but close enough) or 10x50. The 5 number in the equation is what we call a 5mm Exit Pupil and is about optimum to match the eyesight of most people for night time use

Rex kids as young as 5yo are perfectly capable of navigating with a small dob. Maybe not capable of carting it out and setting it up, but certainly capable of pushing the thing around. Yep around the $380 mark gets a SW or GSO and these can be upgraded to EQ later if desired. Personally I think the time spent on EQ alignment is boring to little kids who just want to "look at stars" but heck, each to their own.

And as a footnote. I am not a Dob fan. Never owned one and likely never will (unless one of you wonderful people wants to give me a 20" Obsession LOL) I started with German Equatorial Mounts some 50 years back and will continue, nor were there Dobs around for my own kids. but I have seen a lot of little ones having a ball at star parties with their little Dobs and I think if I were that young again that that would be the way to go.

So Endeth the Sermon (or "dribble" to quote Rex LOL)

Hey Vinnie,
Yeah my 5yr old and 11yr old love star gazing but you're right their attention span is only about 1-2hrs tops thats why I leave them at home (usually) when out for a veiwing evening, but have the scope set in the back yard and they are more than welcome to have a look as long as Dads there, I'll usually point it at something intesting for them.
Rob if you're not kooking at spending alot but want to see alot then you may want to start where I and a few others have, with a Dobsonian. I bought a 8" Saxon for under $600 and got them to throw in a set of filters with it as well, bought a 6.4mm lens off Liz and its really complemented the whole package can see anything upto mag10; star clusters, Galaxies, Nebulars, etc plus all the planets. Saturn, Mars and Jupiter are particually stunning and very vivid, rings cloud patterns red spot on Jupiter ice cap on Mars. Again come down and have a look and a chat and make up your mind don't rush into it alot to think over. Hopefully see you at the Strand. Nic