BS: beginner telescope - any advice?

Subject: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: clueless don
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 09:25 AM

O.K., it's not about folk or blues! But I used the "BS" header, so it should be acceptable.

I want to buy a first telescope (first, that is, if you don't count my Bushnell Spacemaster spotting scope with the 20X and 40X eyepieces.) I had just about decided to buy an Astroscan (by Edmund Scientific - a reflector that looks like a red bowling ball), but then I read a review on the web saying that the Astroscan is not good for planet watching. Planet watching (particularly Jupiter and Saturn) is what I am mainly interested in, much more so than "deep space objects". I remember the thrill I got when I looked at Saturn through the 40X spotting scope and could actually see the rings. I'm looking for a telescope that will do better than that.

I do not have the option of trying a telescope before I buy. I can't go out with "the local astronomy club" and try what they have. I have to buy this first telescope "cold".

Am I correct that a refractor is the best choice for planet watching?

I could go as high as between 3 and 4 hundred dollars (US), but not much higher.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I understand that Saturn is now at its best for viewing, and won't be this good for many years to come. I don't want to miss it because I couldn't decide which telescope to buy!

If the comment is "Why don't you ask this question on an astronomy forum?", the answer is I don't know about any such forums (fora?).   Advice on that score would also be appreciated.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 10:32 AM

All I know is from Patrick Moore, who said the objective (the Big Ebnd to you and me) should be at least 50mm to let you see anything decent in the dark. That's the aperture, not the overall diameter: therewill probably bea stop behind the lens, a metal disk with a hole in the centre. This is to stop light from the very edges of the lens, which isn't well focused; the stop should be at least 50mm. The bigger the aperture, the more ligt that gets in, and the clearer the view.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 10:43 AM

My dad kept a telescope in his front room that he used for watching sea life, birds, and boats and such in the mouth of the Snohomish River and out on Puget Sound (Port Gardner Bay). Every house along the beach has at least binoculars hanging next to the front window. It's a wonderful hobby, viewing nature at a distance, whether in a terrestrial sense, or off if space. I hope you get some helpful answers (and I'll pull out that telescope later and see what type it is).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Peace
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 10:44 AM

Remember, regardless of the type you buy, stars will look like points of light. I would suggest you first get a few astronomy magazines and browse. Also, if you have a space/science center near you, call 'em. Also, look for astronomy clubs or associations near you and seek advice. Also, call a university near you and talk with their sciences department (astronomy, meteorology, astronomy club).

I had a tripod one years back. It was a pain in the butt. If I were buying one today, I would get one that can sit on a table, thus allowing me to sit also.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: GUEST,Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 11:58 AM

If I were going to buy a 'scope, I would go for a reflector. The reason is that you can get much more aperture for the money. The difference between a reflector and a refractor in planet viewing is not that signifigant, in my opinion. At any magazine rack of any good bookstore you should be able to get the latest edition of "Astronomy" or "Sky And Telescope" magazines. Both will have many sources of all sorts of 'scopes. You might consider a Dobsonian mounted reflector, unless you plan on doing photography through the 'scope.
    Just as important as the telescope, be sure to obtain eyepieces of quality. There are many styles to choose from and no one eyepiece is "best". You should do a bit of research on that point. The company "Orion" (www.telescope.com) puts out a nice catalog with good notes about eyepieces, and they have all sorts of other products for astronomy.
    As I'm sure you know, the view through ANY telescope---even the observatory scopes---will not be large objects like you see in pictures. The clarity is the key to eyeballing the object. With photography you have the ability to enlarge the object, and this is where the printed pictures come from.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Ed.
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 12:25 PM

Purchasing Amateur Telescopes. You might find this FAQ from the newsgroup alt.astronomy (and the discussions in general) of interest.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: open mike
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 01:20 PM

check out this magazine
and why can't you connect with the local astronomy club?
sky and telescope or skypub is a great resource with product
reviews, photos by others who are sky watchers, invitations
to meet with people observing celestial phenominon, eclipses,
etc. Where are you located? is there a planetarium any where
in the vacinity?
youj ;can sign up to receive an e-mail newsletter here:
American Asociation of Amateur Astronomers
or here: www.spaceweather.com
or here:sky & telescope mag has an astro alerts e-mail message
http://spacescience.com/news/subscribe.htm
this NASA site--has e-news service, too
happy sky viewing to you-you might search thru earlier threads
there are a few sky fans here and we have discussed this before.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: open mike
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 01:39 PM

they also make telescopes now with automatic tracking/GPS built in. They "know" where to aim to find certain objects in the sky. here are some previous discussions by Sky Cats: check out this thread: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=61821#995785 or this:
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=17270#172888 or this thread:
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=53865#832400 find meteor discussion here: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=41255#595310

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 02:57 PM

I second Brucies advice. Go to their meetings and talk to the members. Their advice could keep you from spending a lot of unnecessary $$$$$$$$. Go on an observation trip with them and try out their scopes.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: okthen
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 03:36 PM

Meade seem to be about as good as it gets but they they aint cheap from new, I would recommend you look for a second hand 'scope, if you don't like it or want to upgrade you should be able to recoup most of the money.I would suggest you start with something like this (this is an English site and price, US should be cheaper).
A lot depends on where you want to set up and whether or not you're going to travel around,a large scope can take quite a while to set up properly and is best left in one place. Smaller ones can be stowed away a lot easier.
Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Jan 04 - 01:19 AM

A good deal at the moment is the Celestron Nexstar 114GT reflector, 4.5", complete with tripod and computerized control that will locate 4000 objects. I bought one for my grandson. Has to be set up by the parents, of, course, but the computerized controls make it easy to find particular stars, nebulae, etc. This scope is recently discontinued, hence a low price. Only a few still offered, the big sell-off was at Christmas.

Remember that the images are small- not the sort of thing you see from NASA or in the astronomy magazines. But it is best to start small; if interest is lost, you don't have a big white elephant.

Cost about US $250 or a little less from reputable dealers at Ebay and some telescope dealers in major cities.

The Nexstar 4 (4") is the latest entry level scope at about $425-450, also computerized, table top. A special at the moment offers a lens and filter kit for a bargain $99 to telescope buyers; check and see that the dealer offers this special. One of the sellers on Ebay is Grmann, Albany NY area, and an authorized Meade-Celestron dealer.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Jan 04 - 10:45 PM

I was going to jump in here, but others have pretty well covered the subject. One more suggestion, though: go visit your public library. If they don't have what you want, ask them why not? and ask them to get it for you.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: GUEST,Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 11:01 AM

If you depend on the electronic 'scopes, you will be a long time in learning the sky. But if you have to hunt for an object by moving the 'scope by hand, you'll come away with a much greater knowledge of where the objects are---much more learning. Those computerized telescopes are great, but when you rely on them to find the objects you just never really get to know what's up there.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 10:06 AM

'way back I began to build a 3 inch reflector; I still have the aluminized mirror I bought from Edmund Scientific. Need a few other parts, though....

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: GUEST,Boab D
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 11:22 AM

Some wee handy hints

Look into the small end.
Point the big end at the sky (remember open the curtains).
Dont look at the sun through it.
Don't use it on a cloudy day.
Dont use it during the middle of the day won't see much.

I almost forgot always take the lense caps off as it might obstruct your vision

Dylan

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Duane D.
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 11:26 PM

I second all of big jim's comments. Whatever you decide to do, please stay away from department store or discount store telescopes. These telescopes typically have flimsy shakey mounts and poor quality eyepieces producing higher power than is useable. I own an Odyssey I 13.1" Dobsonian reflector, which I bought new in 1988. I am thoroghly satisfied with the dobsonian mount design and it suits my observing needs. If you purchase a reflector scope, you can easily make an off axis stop mask to mount over top of the scope. This provides a clear smaller aperture free of all internal obstructions, rivalling the view through the equivalent aperture refractor scope. In the case of my scope, my off axis stop provides a 4" clear aperture. I also advise you to stay clear of computer aided or guided "go to" scopes. You'll never learn the sky. You'll spend too much money for a small scope. I have friends who have purchased these, typically 4" or 5" and are very disappointed. They require careful and precise alignment, which most owners fail to follow, providing many unfound "go to" objects. If you educate yourself on the types of scopes and the manufacturers, you will find many opportunities for good used scopes.

Duane

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: Lady Hillary
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 10:38 AM

EBarnacle here.

I have found that quality of viewing is more dependent on the tripod than on the scope. If you can get the image to hold still, you can see a lot more than if you are paying attention to being very careful not to step too heavily. 30x or 40x is minimally adequate if you have a good stable base. It's not great for find viewing but will get you started. One of the wonderful experiences I had with my son was showing him Saturn for the first time.

Subject: RE: BS: beginner telescope - any advice?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 12:55 PM

clueless don,

To start a thread like this, and not bother to reply or acknowledge the contributions, strikes me as being somewhat rude.

But that's only my opinion.