Any Upcoming Events in Lower Mainland?

[Kyle]

Hey everyone,

I am new to this forum and not a member of FVAS. I am new to the world of astronomy as well and I have been contemplating buying my first telescope for a while now. Recently I made a couple trips to the dark sky park in Abbotsford to watch the meteor shower and my urge to buy a scope only grew. I am currently looking at the Celestron 6SE for its ease of use and mobility, but I know it has limitations in terms of astrophotography because of the mount. I honestly don't know for sure if I will dive deep into the world of astrophotography and really my mind goes there mostly because I figure there is only so much I can see looking directly through the scope and eventually I will need something to keep me interested. But a rig for astrophotography means even more money.

This is not a cheap hobby to get into and I thought going to a star party and meeting people with experience and seeing their setups could help me take the leap to getting into this as a hobby, but I don't really see any star parties in the lower mainland. I figured there would be more gatherings at places like the Abbotsford dark sky park.

So long story short, anything coming up? Any suggestions on where to find people to check out their scopes and look at stars and planets together? Any reason there doesn't seem to be much activity in the lower mainland (even in places with low light pollution)?

[Terry Keller]

Hey Kyle:

July and August are not the greatest months for observing. The sun sets so late and it really never gets truly dark. Also, many members are off to vacation. The club usually does not have regular observing during those months. Add to the fact that Covid is still a thing and now wildfires are spewing smoke everywhere! *Sigh* I am very disappointed that we will miss another year for Merritt Star Quest. I don't get a ton of time for observing so Merritt is my yearly binge viewing time! Hopefully the Covid numbers will go in the right direction and wildfire smoke will subside in the fall. I suspect that the club will resume regular viewing sessions at Macdonald Park in Abbotsford in September or October.

As far as a first scope, you will get lots of opinions. A widely held opinion (and a good one) is to get a dobsonian scope. Lots of aperture for the money and easy to use, but generally, no computer go-to. This can be good because it makes you learn the sky. When I was starting, the advice I got was to NOT to get a computerized scope, so I took that advice. I got a Skywatcher f10 102mm refractor on an equatorial EQ3 mount. That scope served me well for 2 years, and learning how to use an equatorial mount was a nice bonus. Then in 2007 I then got an 11 inch Schmidt Cassagrain Celestron CPC 1100 computerized go-to scope. Still got it and it is awesome! If I was doing it over, I would probably go straight to the CPC 1100. The computerized go-to is not a crutch, IMO. I just wanna observe, and with a go-to scope I see way more objects in a session. Other members will probably jump in with their advice.

You mentioned you were looking at a Celestron 6SE. Good scope. I have friend who has one and it is a great scope. However, if you are sold on the SE model series then I would spend a bit more and go with the 8SE model. Aperture is king for visual observing. The 8 inch will give you brighter image, ability to see fainter objects, and give you a higher useful magnification. I don't have first hand experience with the 8SE model but I have read nothing but good reviews. The single arm is very solid, still portable enough, and yes you can do some basic astrophotography (AP) with it. Many people start with AP using a DSLR camera (that you may already own!). Check out this you tube video using a DSLR connected to a Celestron 8SE:


youtu.be/6uXbF5hF3rQ


Yes, you will need some extra gear over and above the cost of the scope, (a T-ring, a T-adapter and a focal reducer), but if you already have a DSLR you can save the cost of a dedicated CCD or CMOS camera until you decide that AP is right for you. While you are waiting to get a scope you could always try some binocular viewing if you have a pair. You need to figure out a way to hold them steady but you will be amazed at what you can see.


Hope this has helped. Clear skies!

[Terry Keller]

BTW I just re-upped my membership through the RASC website. Good to be legal again!