Astronomy, novice styles?

**mashman** · 13th October 2010, 13:53

in your experience, what's the most useful telescope accessory? and why?

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 13th October 2010, 13:57

Originally Posted by mashman

in your experience, what's the most useful telescope accessory?

A big arse one...

**mashman** · 13th October 2010, 13:59

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

A big arse one...

yup, married one of those

... anything else

**Murray** · 13th October 2010, 14:07

**rustyrobot** · 13th October 2010, 14:12

Originally Posted by mashman

in your experience, what's the most useful telescope accessory? and why?

Well, you couldn't get any more novice than me so this information is probably less than helpful, but the coolest astronomy related gadget I have seen recently is the iphone/android phone application that let's you point your phone at the sky and shows all the constellations within that field of view, laid over the image of what you are pointing at. I imagine it would save a hell of a lot of time searching this way and that to find Uranus.

android
http://augmentedreport.com/node/15

iphone
http://vitotechnology.com/star-walk.html

**slofox** · 13th October 2010, 14:39

Your eye...telescope is fuckin' useless without that...

**mashman** · 13th October 2010, 14:58

Originally Posted by rustyrobot

Well, you couldn't get any more novice than me

wanna bet

... hard enough to get the bloody thing the right way up on the tripod

...

I'd love a few whizzbangy things, but this one already connects to a PC and has a coordinates pad (or will connect to the PC later and will auto track should I be able to figure it out

could be a long night)...

I was thinking more along the lines of lenses for sun watching or filters for other, as yet unknown (by me), things that I can use the telescope for...

**MSTRS:Me** · 13th October 2010, 16:05

Originally Posted by mashman

in your experience, what's the most useful telescope accessory? and why?

A hammer.
Because no matter what 'scope you have, it won't be good enough...

**Jeaves** · 13th October 2010, 17:38

moon filter if you dont already have one.

**mashman** · 14th October 2010, 10:06

Originally Posted by MSTRS

A hammer.
Because no matter what 'scope you have, it won't be good enough...

I understand that now

**mashman** · 14th October 2010, 10:09

Originally Posted by Jeaves

moon filter if you dont already have one.

Not got one of those, not that I know of (day 1 last night)... but we were looking at the moon last night, bloody impressive, it must have taken a serious pounding over its life... i'm, weather permitting, gonna try taking some piccies tonight and see how they turn out... shite most likely lol, but hey

**EJK** · 14th October 2010, 10:09

Just buy a rocket.

**MSTRS:Me** · 14th October 2010, 10:09

Originally Posted by mashman

I understand that now

You're welcome. I'm just here to help...

**mashman** · 14th October 2010, 10:11

Originally Posted by EJK

Just buy a rocket.

Bit expensive, but i'll look into it

Originally Posted by MSTRS

You're welcome. I'm just here to help...

Looks like I need to go on a lens hunt... any suggestions for lenses? Or would you just buy a shed load of Barlows and keep on stackin (i'm assuming multiple barlows won't be a problem)