Hello all .....

[David B]

I come to astronomy as a mature student ! I have been looking at your site for a while , and have found it informative.  Am looking to buy the first telescope soon and hope to come along to one of your gatherings, so hope to meet some of you soon.
Regards
David

[Carole]

Hi David, and welcome.  There are often mature members joing this group, many like myself who despite having a lifetime interest never found the time to actually do anything about it until later in life.

If you've been watching the Forum, you will realise we are a friendly and sociable group with lots of activity.  

What sort of telescope are you thinking of buying and what is your main interest?
It might help if you say what you want it for as you'll then gets lots of advice on the most suitable option for your needs and which might prevent you from buying something, and finding you have to replace it later on.  

Look forward to meeting you, do introduce yourself at the next meeting.

Carole

[Mac]

Greetings and a cloudy welcome.

As carol said, there are a few mature members here, but im not one of them.
As you are probably aware the purchasing of said astronomical equipment normally results in cloudy weather.
So dont get alarmed at the sudden lack of clear nights, not that we've had many, thanks to the purchasing of TWO observatorys, cheers .

We also have our deep sky camps, and the next one is on the weekend of 12-15 march.
Might be worth a visit so that you can get a feel for the type of scope you want.
If its cloudy there is always the drinking socialising side of it.

Mac.

[doug]

     Welcome, David, from two mature members, along with other mature and not so mature members. There is an Observing evening on the 16th March, and we meet in the "Change of Horses" pub in Farnborough village at about 19.15 hrs ..... or 7.15pm if you wish.  Come along, if you can and meet some of the members.  We might even get a chance to go and peruse the night sky, so wear something warm, and if it rains we have beer and a chat in the pub.

     Looking forward to meeting you, David.

     Rose and Doug.

[The Thing]

Hi David and welcome.

Observing evenings are the way to start, leading to a mild exposure to monthly meetings at High Elms followed (after some serious thought) with a visit to a deep sky camp for the evening. Bring a tent but don't commit to staying unless you are sure you are ready! Deep sky camps are for those who should be are committed. I like deep sky camps best myself.

Cheers,

Duncan