This hobby is expensive.
But some things come cheap and have a huge return on investment. After a year in the hobby, I thought I would list my top 6.
I would be really interested to heat from more experienced folks on the site whether there are other inexpensive items that make a big difference.
1) Head torch. It gets dark at night. But a good head torch with red and multiple white light settings is a must, for the rare occasions when things don't quite go according to plan.
2) Rubber wrenches. I am old. I can't undo filters, or extensions tube from cameras without giving myself a hernia or mutilating aforementioned extension tubes. Rubbers wrenches work.
3) Free trial of PixInsight. OK, so I cheated a little there. But seriously this is a stupendous package for DSO processing. Of course, even better (for planetary imaging) are Registax and Autostakkert - which are free!! But as a Mac fanboy, I had to buy a Windows emulator. I guess a 14-day free trial of a Windows emulator also counts.
4) A decent star atlas. Again, I am old. But I like physical copies of things. I don't want to be waving my iPhone/iPad around at night using a VR app. Give me paper anyday. The best star atlas for me is Bracken's AP sky atlas. It gives me sizes, brightness of DSO - and even a list of the top 93 DSO targets. Move over Caldwell, I an going for the Bracken list. [Its just a shame the maps aren't grouped in RA as per the S&T Pocket sky atlas]
5) A decent book about AP. OK, so much of what I said for 4 applies to 5. Paper rules. And Bracken rules again. His guide to DSO AP is brilliant. And covers pretty much all you need to know including comprehensive PI and PS tutorials.
6) Black insulating tape. As professional astronomer, I discovered that a piece of instrumentation was never finished until it had a piece of black tape on it somewhere. I find the same is true for this hobby. Great for removing annoying red lights from drives, power sources. A bit irritating when you have to peel it off to check that @#$! thing is powered up.
Honorable mention to extension tubes and Allen keys, but mostly the expensive telescope/camera stuff comes with the right tools.
But some things come cheap and have a huge return on investment. After a year in the hobby, I thought I would list my top 6.
I would be really interested to heat from more experienced folks on the site whether there are other inexpensive items that make a big difference.
1) Head torch. It gets dark at night. But a good head torch with red and multiple white light settings is a must, for the rare occasions when things don't quite go according to plan.
2) Rubber wrenches. I am old. I can't undo filters, or extensions tube from cameras without giving myself a hernia or mutilating aforementioned extension tubes. Rubbers wrenches work.
3) Free trial of PixInsight. OK, so I cheated a little there. But seriously this is a stupendous package for DSO processing. Of course, even better (for planetary imaging) are Registax and Autostakkert - which are free!! But as a Mac fanboy, I had to buy a Windows emulator. I guess a 14-day free trial of a Windows emulator also counts.
4) A decent star atlas. Again, I am old. But I like physical copies of things. I don't want to be waving my iPhone/iPad around at night using a VR app. Give me paper anyday. The best star atlas for me is Bracken's AP sky atlas. It gives me sizes, brightness of DSO - and even a list of the top 93 DSO targets. Move over Caldwell, I an going for the Bracken list. [Its just a shame the maps aren't grouped in RA as per the S&T Pocket sky atlas]
5) A decent book about AP. OK, so much of what I said for 4 applies to 5. Paper rules. And Bracken rules again. His guide to DSO AP is brilliant. And covers pretty much all you need to know including comprehensive PI and PS tutorials.
6) Black insulating tape. As professional astronomer, I discovered that a piece of instrumentation was never finished until it had a piece of black tape on it somewhere. I find the same is true for this hobby. Great for removing annoying red lights from drives, power sources. A bit irritating when you have to peel it off to check that @#$! thing is powered up.
Honorable mention to extension tubes and Allen keys, but mostly the expensive telescope/camera stuff comes with the right tools.
Works perfect even with gloves.
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