I grew up in the deepest rural Suffolk on a farm and I used to lie looking up at the stars for many hours on the old milk churn stand at the end of the farm track. There was no such thing as light pollution in the 50's and you were glad of the moon to light your way home after a hard days playing. One night we were amazed by the sight of a massive meteor that lit up the sky like lightening, from that very point onwards I was hooked on the night sky and used a pair of my fathers WW2 binoculars at every opportunity. At that point I suppose I could name maybe half a dozen or so constellations, but more importantly was that they were up there to look at night after night....maybe the weather was better back then!

Sunset over Alnwick

Sunset over Alnwick

  It has only taken me another forty odd years to rekindle that enthusiasm, work seemed to get in the way, and whilst I had some decent postings in the RAF it wasn't always practical to lug delicate equipment around the world. So it was in 2002 that I purchased, from a camera shop in Alnwick a 127mm Mak/Cas Konus scope and the words ringing in my ears that "you can see Saturn's rings with this scope."  The scope cost £500 and yes you could see the rings but for that money.......it is strange how many times you are wise after certain events in your life and vowed from from then on not to jump to hasty decisions, however, it must be said that because of that purchase I was pointed in the direction of NASTRO due to the owner.

Sunset over Alnwick

Photo first appeared in Sky @ Night April 2008 and then in Sky at Night calendar April 2009

Two more scopes have followed since then a Helios 200mm Newtonian and the Lx90 Meade 10" which alternates between being the love of my life and the cloven hoofed devil himself! My memory being what it is I decided that imaging was the route for me and brought a second hand Meade 1pi which greatly increased my pleasure and pain in astronomy, not always in that order, but soon realised that a better (more expensive) imager was required and it is at this juncture I arrived 12 months ago only to be still found faltering at the cross-roads. I don't want to leap without a really good look and there is sooo much equipment out there, which way to turn off? I went to a couple of Kielder star camps to get advice and try to make up my mind...only problem is they are nice and shiny (must be a bit of a jackdaw in me) and I really love gadgets, so I am no further forwards. At least the bank account is still intact!

 

'Close Encounters' Moon and Jupiter

Partial Eclipse 07/09/06,CANON IXUS 50 1/15th sec at f3.2

In the meantime a Canon 350d appeared on the scene and I have had some great shots and a lot of fun with that, problem is now I have seen more astronomically adapted Canons and the images they produce...now the credit card is worried.

Truth of the matter is that I shall probably stick with what I've got and be grateful for that and borrow Malcolm's.  

Moon Regions

 

Mare Nectaris & Rupes Altai     Vallis Rheita     Rheita....south up     Day old moon 28.3.09     Alnwick Moors

Montes Apenninus/Sinus Lunicus   Vallis Rheita         Day old moon with earthshine     Coathanger     Cygnus in the milky way

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