Would like to see the moon clearly of course, other planets and constellations.
2006-07-12 04:02:28 · 3 answers · asked by Sheri N 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Go to your local bookstore or news stand and get a copy of either Sky and Telescope or Astronomy magazine. They will be chocked full of telescopes for different applications.
You will get the most for the money with a small reflector. It uses mirrors instead of lenses and so the optical demands of the glass are lower. Meade makes good scopes, small ones too...I have 2 of them.
Don't be mislead by the used car salesman line about magnification or power. You will most likely use low magnification for your general viewing. High magnification spreads out the light making objects dimmer, it magnifies the turbulence in the atmosphere, and magnifies flaws in the optics.
What you want to buy is objective (mirror) diameter. For $500 you are looking at something in the 3 to 4.25 inch (75mm To 100mm) diameter. These are great starter scopes. Get a few eyepieces but not too small focal lengths. 25mm focal length eyepiece is a good general item, with 10-12mm being perhpas the smallest for general viewing. Even larger (30-40mm) provide a wider field with better eye relief but are costly.
2006-07-12 04:25:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Here is a catalog page with many good ones. Also, see the other pages in the catalog.
2006-07-12 04:49:30 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm happy with my Edmund Astroscan, which cost me less than $200, including tax and shipping.
See a review of it here: http://www.dansdata.com/astroscan.htm
I'm a longtime astronomy enthusiast.
2006-07-12 05:10:33 · answer #3 · answered by Mark V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋