Hello from Dortmund / Germany

8 replies139 views
TakFan avatar
Joined Astrobin a few days ago as an inspiration for taking pictures at night.

Astronomy is a hobby of mine for more than 35years. I did visual observations & sketching until I tried first, unguided shots with a Canon DSLR in 2011.
I've been mobile with my gear on a tripod until 2015. Nowadays I am lucky to have a shed, 50km south from where I live, with fixed installations + 230V power supply.

Due to family life & my profession, there are approximately 5-10 nights out per year, so posting will be irregular from my side. Hope to get more nights out in the coming years.

As an (german) engineer, I am an enthusiast with respect to good craftsmanship & quality. My gear is all Takahashi. Expensive, but gives me a smile every time I am out at night. I love this stuff.

As a teenager, I owned a Quelle refractor & a Newton on a shaky mount. Still it was pure fun to use. After school astronomy activities of mine became rare for about 25 years. Until re-discovery of this fine hobby in 2008.

Back in the ring, I started with a second hand FS-78 + an EM-10 mount. Excellent scope when it comes to crisp sharp observations. I sold it again in 2010 (shame on me) to finance a TSA-120 + an used EM 200. This is still my main scope & mount as of today. I added a FS-2 control to the mount to convert  it into a GoTo, fast tracking mount and the M-GEN as a guider. Later a FS-60C (now converted to FS-60CB) and a FC-76DS joined the team. All telescopes are mounted in parallel on the EM-200. Easy going for the mount.

Looking forward to posting some images soon.

Clear skies
Dirk
Morian avatar
Welcome Brother👍
Michael Timm avatar
Hi Dirk,

welcome to AstroBin. Your story sounds interesting, looking forward to your images.

CS from Niedersachsen,
Michael
Well Written Respectful Supportive
Rodd Dryfoos avatar
Welcome aboard sailor.  Looking forward to seeing what fine details you will pull out of the depths of space with that TSA 120.  Go Tak
Rodd
TakFan avatar
I will do my best Rodd.

You have some amazing pictures out there and fine hardware to work with.

CS
Dirk
Dirk Schwarze avatar
Hello Dirk,
welcome on astrobin and greetings from Unna, not to far away from Dortmund.

Regards

Dirk
Dirk Schwarze avatar
Hello Dirk,
welcome on astrobin and greetings from Unna, not to far away from Dortmund.

Regards

Dirk
TakFan avatar
Hallo Dirk

Beste Grüsse in die Nachbarschaft an den Namensvetter.

CS
Dirk
Dirk Schwarze avatar
Danke