Hi Introduce yourself! · Samuel Gonzales · ... · 1 · 28 · 0

Greetings earthlings.

Been into all things STEM all my life. Had to basically retire way too early due to a poor hand of health. Always been a night worker and my body clock seems to have decided to stick to that no matter what I try. So, thinking of hobbies can be done quietly in the wee small hours. The recent planetary parade got me thinking I really need a telescope!

Got a cheap bit of tat off Temu. Scored what I thought to be an ok view of Jupiter. Managed to focus it to at least look like something spherical, albeit only white. Tried to get a look at mars but couldn't make the elevation. I'd had to prop up two of the legs to get Jupiter. Typically, it went from a month of crystal clear skies to 'uh oh the cloud fell down' pea soup fog for the best days of the actual alignment. I'm given to understand I should prepare for that to be the norm?!

Anyway, decided to sell up some bits of other hobbies (airguns and mechanical engineering) to get myself something useable in this 'un. Fixing on mostly visual, I will foray into the Astrophotography, but only to the extent the smartphone will allow (Pixel9pro). Looking forward to reading the various advice here.

I think I've settled on a Mak 127, of either SW or BM persuasion, and either an EQ3 or Star Adv GTi mount. I really like the idea of GoTo if I can afford it, seems like an easy way to learn what's where, as well as being handy for when the kids come out… Little faff as poss and the brief amazement of robotics in action, Double Win! One of my primary concerns is portability. I can't drive due to health issue, so needs to be man portable. 

Anyway that's me. Look forward to getting to know you folks.