Astronmy - Questions about....?

[vlc]

Heres mine, as we're in a spiral galaxy, how many arms does it have?

[rsvp]

[JWH]

Is this what you normally think about at this time?

[eric mc]

Nothing wrong with that question.

The true answer is that astronomers aren't sure. Imagine if you lived in a forest and never ventured outside of it. It would be very hard for you to work out the outline shape of that forest - literally you wouldn't be able to see the woods for the trees. It's a bit like that regarding out galaxy. I think the common assumption is that out galaxy is a two armed spiral, but I may be wrong.

>> Edited by eric mc on Wednesday 21st January 08:17

[puggit]

Eric'c correct - we can't see the wood for the trees. Well, the galaxy for the stars...



(looking forward to getting my telescope for 30th birthday!)

[atom290]

Our galaxy has four major arms spiral arms

Centaurus
Cygnus
Sagittarius
Perseus

and several shorter segments of arms.

Of which the sun is located on one of these called Orion

Hopefully that answers your question

[atom290]

puggit do you live in the countryside, or close to?

If so you won’t put the telescope down, there’s loads to see up there, especially if it’s a reasonably powerful one.

The moon will keep you captivated for a while, and if you look hard enough you will probably see the foundations to Bush’s first moon hotel, and my guess is it wil be made of cheese!!!

[puggit]

Sadly not - I live in Caversham (Reading) - however I'm not far from the country and fully prepared to up sticks!

Studied Astronomy for 1 year at Uni, so looking forward to some practical knowledge to go with the theory.

Will never, ever forget looking at Jupiter through a powerful telescope - utterly mind boggling.

[ZR1427]

atom290 said:

puggit do you live in the countryside, or close to? If so you won’t put the telescope down, there’s loads to see up there, especially if it’s a reasonably powerful one. The moon will keep you captivated for a while, and if you look hard enough you will probably see the foundations to Bush’s first moon hotel, and my guess is it wil be made of cheese!!!

[atom290]

I was out in Prague a few months ago, and went to the observatory there, they were doing a study on sun spots, and got to have a look in on their work.

I did Maths with astrophysics at Uni!! I don’t tell many people as they have fallen asleep before I finish telling them!

[atom290]

ha bloody ha!!!

[wedg1e]

Eee... it's all coming back to me now... Copper Knickers, Beetle Juice, Hippo Cuss... ah yes those were the days...

[mike s]

wedg1e said:

Eee... it's all coming back to me now... Copper Knickers, Beetle Juice, Hippo Cuss... ah yes those were the days...

2 Florins would get you a Bag of chips....

[stuh]

puggit said:

Eric'c correct - we can't see the wood for the trees. Well, the galaxy for the stars... (looking forward to getting my telescope for 30th birthday!)

Just got a 6" refelector (I never knew 6 inches was so small ) for my birthday

Live in the sticks and can't believe how much you can see. Moon is amazing. Haven't quite sussed how to find my way around the sky yet though, so have ordered "Turn left at Orion" from Amazon which is supposed to be excellent. On 6 week back order though due to reprinting

[charlescrawley]

This book is rather good too:
Deep Sky Companion: Messier Objects

www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521553326/026-5414762-0515611

Well worth it!

PS: Am *very* jealous... I've wanted a telescope for ages, but living in a flat in a city is not the best place to be... Ah well, one day I'll have a nice 10" Orion Optics DX Newtonian...

[stuh]

charlescrawley said:

This book is rather good too: Deep Sky Companion: Messier Objects www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521553326/026-5414762-0515611 Well worth it! PS: Am *very* jealous... I've wanted a telescope for ages, but living in a flat in a city is not the best place to be... Ah well, one day I'll have a nice 10" Orion Optics DX Newtonian...

I saw that one as well. Just had to stop clicking the "add to basket" at some point. I think i am addicted to this

I see your in Luxembourg ! I worked there for a few weeks for Flemings. Went to a night club in an underground vault

[atom290]

goto

www.fetchbook.co.uk

enter the isbn number of 0521781906 and they say

Reiter's 24 hours £13.72

hope this is of use

[Julian64]

Ahhhh, Got my wife a Meade LX90 for her birthday last year with a full set of nine superplossy eyepieces and a x2.

Its motorised and I thoroughly recommend getting a motorized one as the stars move very quickly across the horizon.

[Frik]

Julian64 said:

Ahhhh, Got my wife a Meade LX90 for her birthday last year with a full set of nine superplossy eyepieces and a x2. Its motorised and I thoroughly recommend getting a motorized one as the stars move very quickly across the horizon.

Good point!

What sorta mount have you got stuh?

[Julian64]

errr, mount came as part of it. Tripod with the motors in was all in the price of the Meade.

When I first used it I was having to move it every 10 seconds to keep my gaze on the same spot on the moon.

I doubt you could do it by hand with the higher strength eyepieces.

Good deal cos the eyepieces are worth about a thousand pounds themselves but if you buy the Meade you get them all in a case for £99.

I only found out about the deal recently and applied retrospectively.

[simonrockman]

I've just bought my dad a Meade 105 for his 70th he's as pleased as punch with it and I can't wait to go round and have a play.

I bought it in the US, where they are cheaper anyway and now that the pound is strong against the dollar it wasn't too bad. I was a bit worried about it going in the hold of the plane, but it was OK.

UK tax and import duty was stiff though.

Simon.